December Monmouth County Environmental Newsletter

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Monmouth County Environmental
Newsletter:
December 2017

MCEC Hosts Pollinator Roundtable

pollinator presenters

The Monmouth County Environmental Council (MCEC) hosted a Fall Roundtable, Love Your Pollinators: Encouraging and Protecting Pollinator Landscapes, on November 29. The event was well attended by gardeners, beekeepers, environmentalists and the general public, and featured three speakers.  Monmouth County Master Gardener Patrice McCoy shared information on creating a residential garden to support native pollinators. Ken Thoman, a restoration ecologist for the Monmouth County Park System, spoke on the Park System's methods of natural resource management and how landscapes are shaped and monitored to support pollinator habitat.  Angela Juffey of Central Jersey Beekeepers Association, and a Master Gardener herself, presented information on the basics of beekeeping, the importance of bees, and the causes of declining bee populations. Did you know that one-third of our food supply relies on bees for pollination, and 70% of major crops are pollinated by bees?  

For more information on the importance of pollinators and tips for creating a pollinator-safe space, download the Planning Board's Supporting Pollinators Eco-Tips Brochure, linked below. 

Those looking for tips on creating a pollinator-friendly yard are encouraged to contact the Monmouth County Master Gardeners or use online tools such as the Jersey-Friendly Yards page on pollinators and the Jersey-Friendly Plants Database

 

See Brochure

Upcoming Environmental & Outdoor Events in Monmouth County:

•  Dec. 15-MCPS Casual Birder at Crosswicks Creek Park

•  Dec. 29-Winter Walk at Thompson Park

•  Jan. 1-New Year's Day Beach Walk-Sandy Hook

•  Jan. 12-Winter Walk at Feneau Woods Park

Check out the Grown in Monmouth
Christmas Tree Farm Directory

grown in Monmouth official

The Grown in Monmouth Christmas Tree Farm Directory maps 14 farms across the County where you can pick your Christmas tree. Each farm has its own profile with information including address, location, pre-cut or cut your own availability, and notes on other amenities. Click through the farms to find when Santa will be visiting, as well as other activities. Visit the Grown in Monmouth Directory at www.growninmonmouth.com.

Visit Christmas Tree Directory

Sandy Hook Seawall Reinforcement Ongoing

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Coastal Engineering has entered the Construction Phase of their Sea Bright & Monmouth Beach Seawall Repair and Construction Project. The NJDEP has partnered with the two municipalities to reinforce the seawall and create new seawall at various locations within the two municipalities. One location is in Sea Bright's north end where the seawall is being reinforced near the entrance to Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit. These projects are designed to protect Monmouth County's northern shore from future flooding and erosion events.

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Shrewsbury Dredging has begun

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) began a two phase dredging project in the Shrewsbury River to restore channel depths to their authorized levels, following the expedited sedimentation that occurred with Superstorm Sandy.  An estimated 17,500 cubic yards of sand shoals will be removed from portions of the Monmouth Beach Channel, Rumson Country Club Y Channel, and Oceanport Creek Entry Channel.

As a part of the $1.3 million project, Monmouth Beach Channel will be restored to 6 feet deep, while the Rumson Country Club Y Channel will be dredged to 5 feet and the Oceanport Creek Channel to 4 feet.  The dredged sand will be placed onto the shore in Monmouth Beach between Park and Central Road.  For more information visit the DOT webpage.

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Big Brook Park Cleanup a Success

big brook cleanup

On November 18, more than 30 volunteers gathered at Big Brook Park in Marlboro to remove invasive and aggressive plants growing near the pond, clean up litter and clear a new trail for the park. A second part of this project will occur next Spring, when the shores of the pond will be planted as a native pollinator garden. The project is organized by WMA 12 Watershed Ambassador Amber Mallm.

If you are interested in this project or pursuing another watershed-related project with Amber, email her at Amber.Mallm@co.monmouth.nj.us

NJDEP Launches Trail Tracker Digital Tool

The New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry has launched a new application for smart devices to help state park visitors explore trails.  The "Trail Tracker" tool is designed to help visitors find seasonal activities available at state parks and forests.  It also allows the user to search the State's trail system by difficulty ratings and points of interest. It features detailed geographic maps with trail information about terrain and natural features. The tool also allows the user to track their progress and keep their bearings while hiking.

The Trail Tracker is a live, interactive, web-based map. To access the tool please visit: www.spstrailtracker.nj.gov

Launch Trail Tracker

Monmouth Marine and Environmental Field Station on the Navesink River

Monmouth University's Urban Coast Institute and the Borough of Rumson announced plans to develop a new Monmouth University Marine and Environmental Field Station on municipal property on the shores of the Navesink River.  According to the University, the "facility will provide unique opportunities for scientific research and educational collaboration between the professionals and students of the University and local schools. Tentative plans call for the addition of classroom, laboratory and meeting space above an existing sewer pump station on Avenue of the Two Rivers, behind the municipal building."  The station will be adjacent to a public boat ramp, aiding the field station in access to coastal waterways.  The University's Urban Coast Institute conducts research spanning waterways from the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers to the New York Harbor and Atlantic Ocean. 

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