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Tree Planting Organized by DRBC-Hosted N.J. Watershed Ambassador a Success

On Saturday April 11, 2015, the Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program partnered with Hunterdon Land Trust (HLT) for a day of tree planting at the Tom Saeger Land Preserve on Shire Road, Milford, N.J. This effort was led by N.J. Watershed Ambassador Jordan Foreman, ambassador for Watershed Management Area 11 (WMA 11), which covers the central Delaware portion of New Jersey. DRBC is a proud supporter of this program and annually hosts the watershed ambassador for WMA 11.

Eight hundred young trees were planted at the site by about two dozen hard working volunteers that included DRBC's Kate Schmidt. All native species were planted and included Red Oak, White Oak, Chestnut Oak, Red Cedar, Blackgum, Bayberry, Redbud, and Black Cherry.

The Tom Saeger Land Preserve was protected by HLT with funding from the New Jersey Green Acres Program and other partners. Previous work at the site has included removal of invasive species and installation of deer fencing. Deer populations in this area have decimated native trees and shrubs, and many of the trees planted on April 11 were placed within large deer exclosures. Smaller protective cages were installed around the trees that were planted outside of these exclosures.   

The goal of the tree planting is to help restore the forest. Healthy forests provide quality habitat and are important for protecting streams and improving water quality. Nearby this land preserve is Milford Creek, a tributary to the Delaware River.  

The Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program is an environmental community service program administered by the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection to raise public awareness about water and watershed issues and to promote watershed stewardship through direct community involvement. AmeriCorps members are assigned to different watersheds throughout the state to serve as "watershed ambassadors" to their watershed communities. Please visit the above link for more information.

To learn more about HLT's stewardship activities, please click here and also visit the above links. To view more photos on their Facebook page, please click here (you do not need an account to view). 
The Tom Saeger Land Preserve is protected by the New Jersey Green Acres Program. Photo by DRBC.The theme for the planting was "Let it Grow." Planting trees helps restore forests, providing habitat for birds and animals and also improving water quality for aquatic life. Photo by DRBC.All needed supplies were provided for the volunteers. In the background is part of the preserve where trees were being planted. Photo by DRBC.N.J. Americorps Ambassador Jordan Foreman (left) and Hunterdon Land Trust's (HLT) Land Steward Tom Thorsen (right) demonstrate how to plant bare rooted tree saplings. Photo by DRBC.N.J. Americorps Ambassador Jordan Foreman and HLT's Land Steward Tom Thorsen demonstrate how to plant bare rooted tree saplings. Photo by DRBC.Jordan runs supplies up the hill to volunteers. Staked metal cages were placed around the saplings planted outside the deer exclosures. Photo courtesy of John Gattuso, HLT.Volunteers included Jennifer Noblejas (right), N.J. Watershed Ambassador Program Manager. Photo courtesy of John Gattuso, HLT.
Volunteers prep a hole for a tree sapling. Planting bars and mallets were used to create the holes and ensure they were deep enough for the sapling's roots. Photo courtesy of Dave Harding, HLT. Volunteers enjoy the fruits of their labor after a successful planting. Photo courtesy of Dave Harding, HLT.Volunteers included Mike Keady, Chairman of the Holland Township Environmental Commission (left) and DRBC's Kate Schmidt (right). Here they are prepping a cage to place around a newly planted sapling to protect it from deer. Photo courtesy of Dave Harding, HLT. Volunteers of all ages came out to help and had a great time. Photo courtesy of Dave Harding, HLT.Mike Keady and Kate Schmidt attach a stake to a protective cage, which will be used to secure it into the ground. Photo courtesy of Dave Harding, HLT.Happy volunteers pose for a photo after a successful planting. Photo courtesy of John Gattuso, HLT.