VOL. 56, NO. 4 Winter 2009–10 A publication of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, central ’s first environmental group.

HOLIDAY Your water. Your environment. Your voice. OPEN HOUSE see back cover

Inside 3... Testing for Bacteria 4... Ted Stiles Intern State of the Watershed Inventories Reserve Increasing population and steady con- version of forests, fields, and wetlands to 6... asphalt and concrete have had a direct, Celebrating 60 negative effect on the health and quality at FEST of our water and environment. This is the conclusion of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association’s first ever “State of the Watershed” report, scheduled to be released at the end of 2009.

A comprehensive look at where central New Jersey stands in terms of land use, water quality and environmental policy, our report aims to give local government leaders, businesses and concerned residents a clear snap-shot of the conditions we face today and the challenges ahead.

“For the first time in our 60-year history, the Watershed Association has taken on the challenge of examining and synthesizing the available information on the condition of our watershed as a whole,” said Jim Waltman, Watershed Association Executive Director. “We are confident that this report will help shed new light on the problems facing our watershed and help identify solutions for the future.”

Using data collected from our own programs and initiatives, as well as state sources, the “State of the Watershed” report illustrates the Is our watershed healthy? Our “State of the Watershed” report shows which areas are - and aren’t. Continued on page 8

Conservation Advocacy Science Education FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Princeton Ridge Preserve With its mature forests, Watershed Association and others, he has agreed to abundant wetlands, steep deed more than 75 percent of the land to a conserva- slopes and boulder fields, tion organization for permanent preservation. the Princeton Ridge is one of the most important and Adjacent to that property is land owned by the Ricciardi sensitive environmental family, which sought a variance on the property to areas in central New Jersey. build nearly 100 housing units several years ago. The Watershed Association and others fought against that According to the New proposal and are now working to preserve the land Jersey Department of as permanent open space. Earlier this year, in fact, we Environmental Protection, the Ridge provides habitat ­secured a $250,000 grant towards its preservation and for several endangered and threatened species, including we are working with the New Jersey Conservation the wood turtle, eastern box turtle, Cooper’s hawk and Foundation and Friends of Princeton Open Space to Barred owl. In addition to these endangered and threat- secure additional funds. ened ­species, the Ridge provides migration and nesting habitat for a number of migratory birds that require large, Princeton should seize the opportunity to establish a ­contiguous deep forests to live and breed. Princeton Ridge Preserve to permanently protect a continuous greenbelt on the Princeton Ridge and ­provide Key parts of the Ridge have been preserved over the years unique educational and recreational opportunities to as Herrontown Woods Arboretum, Autumn Hill Reservation, residents and visitors of the region. Woodfield Reservation and John Witherspoon Woods. But commercial and residential development has destroyed large portions of the area and development pressures continue. The Watershed Association has been active in opposing proposals that threaten the Ridge’s delicate ecology and could exacerbate an already bad flooding situation down slope.

Building on past successful preservation efforts, Down Memory Lane an exciting opportunity now exists to establish a We recently had the great joy of Princeton Ridge Preserve that would better protect hosting Connie Harvey (center), and connect these natural features. daughter of Watershed Association patron Muriel Buttinger, at the Watershed Princeton Township Committeewoman Liz Reserve. Board Chair Candace Preston, Lempert has taken up the cause of the Ridge. In U.S. Representative and former Watershed September she proposed a resolution to endorse Association Board Chair Rush Holt, Upper a Princeton Ridge Preserve and the committee Raritan Watershed Association Trustee and passed the resolution without dissent. good friend of Connie’s Mary Johnston, and URWA Executive Director Cindy Ehrenclue Several relatively large undeveloped parcels joined me for lunch, a tour of Connie’s old still exist which, if preserved, would expand home (our main office), the barn, and the network of preserved lands on the the grounds. Education Director Jeff Ridge. Princeton-based architect J. Robert Hoagland joined the group for a tour Hillier has been seeking approvals to develop of the Buttinger Nature Center and a 22-acre parcel on Bunn Drive for several a short hike on the trails. years. After steady pressure from the

2 Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org StreamWatch MANVILLE

k o o Bacteria Monitoring r B StreamWatching e FRANKLIN NEW yc o Site Locations R JERSEY

MILLSTONE HILLSBOROUGH BORO S O M E R S E T Si x M il e R r u Cr P e n use i v k i r Br R ook e

H U N T E R D O N T R

e u e l n n n o a R t n s M o ill a ck B PR1 M C i a l EAST e ck n B B a r it NORTH AMWELL o r r R o o a k o u BRUNSWICK Focus on k R n

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rook en B ROCKY HCB1 HOPEWELL Bed HILL BORO BD3 k SOUTH BRUNSWICK roo teB co WEST HCB5 ath He AMWELL S B t H o r PRINCETON CL1 ny o o o n B k e r e Bacteria Monitoring o y i o k g e ke n HO2 SB2 r a ok a L ro C B HL1 PRINCETON ls If you have been wondering where it is safe to go swim- vi S BORO e h D al CL2 low B PLAINSBORO ro SB4 ok MONROE HOPEWELL ok CL3 ming, the Watershed Association’s newest monitoring ro B MR2 PENNINGTON ny C to ra S nb ury Brook B D i u g ck P B CRANBURY program helps answer that question. This summer we o e n d a r Bacteria R un B r LAWRENCE o Monitoring Site o k Bacteria and Chemical began sampling for Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) M Monitoring Sites illstone River WEST MANALAPAN Major Stream WINDSOR HIGHTSTOWN PL1 bacteria at seven locations. E. coli are bacteria that live in Major Road EAST M O N M O U T H Municipal Boundary M E R C E R WINDSOR Rocky the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. While E. coli County Boundary Brook MILLSTONE Stony Brook-Millstone ROBBINSVILLE Watershed Association 0 1 2 3 Miles contamination of food can cause serious food poisoning, Reserve ROOSEVELT Data Source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Major Stream, Municipal Boundary, and County Boundary; NJ Department of Transportation - Major Road; Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. This secondary map product has not been verified or authorized by the source agencies. Cartography by The GIS Center at the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, September 2009. Project: 200909SWBacteriaMonsites.mxd this bacteria’s existence in water bodies is usually harmless, MILLSTONE but is an indicator that other pathogens of fecal origin— Bacteria Monitoring Scorecard disease causing bacteria, viruses and parasites—may be (BD3)...... present. Therefore, swimming or wading in streams with high E. coli levels is considered a human health risk. Honey Lake (HL1)...... (MR2)...... According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Peddie Lake (PL1)...... Protection, waterways are safe for swimming and wading Pike Run (PR1)...... when there are less than 235 colonies of E. coli per 100 milliliters of water. Initial test results from our bacteria Stony Brook (CL3)...... sampling show that stream levels of E. coli bacteria are Stony Brook (SB4)...... less than 235 colonies per 100 mL of water and therefore RANKINGS Good Fair Poor healthy. In July, only one sample on the Stony Brook came up high, following a rain event. Rain events help to wash Note: Results are from July 17, 2009 and are averaged from two samples bacteria into streams coming from leaking septic or sewer per site. systems, waterfowl in the stream, wading cows or polluted StreamWatch is made possible by generous support from the Geraldine R. runoff that has picked up animal (dog, goose, cow, etc.) Dodge Foundation and Janssen Pharmaceutica. waste en route to the stream. George Hawkins For swimmers in Hightstown, the low bacteria Former Executive levels were welcome news. We sampled weekly Director (1992-2004) at Peddie Lake and sent the data to the Hights­ General Manager, DC town Borough Parks and Recreation Com- Water and Sewer Authority, mittee. The data was used to determine Washington, DC the lake’s safety for Friday night summer swims. Reports from Hightstown indicate that the swims were successful and What did you learn while at the popular with local residents. Watershed Association?

The Watershed Association will continue “The Watershed Association employs almost every tool in the non-profit arsenal. It is the whole that is more monitoring for bacteria on a quarterly meaningful than the pieces—for every child and parent basis at 13 sites and is hopeful that touched by a Fungus Among Us program can stand up streams will remain safe for swimming. to advocate for sustainable choices, based on science from the same place—a credible source. I can report that Stony Brook is nationally respected and that many, many aspire to what central New Jersey already has.”

Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org 3 CONSERVATION First Stiles Intern Helps Inventory Reserve How many different plants make up our grassland habitat? What does the make-up of our forest look like? Rutgers University student Tyson Triplett and his team of intrepid Rutgers landscape architecture students recently took on the task of answering these fundamental conservation questions.

Ty and his team are the first to be funded by the Edmund “Ted” Stiles Conservation Fund, which was established in The grassland at the Watershed Reserve 2007 in memory of biol- ogy professor, environ- But there is still much to be done. The collaboration with mentalist, and former the landscape architecture department at Rutgers, under Watershed Association the guidance of ecologist and Department Chair JeanMarie Board Chair Ted Stiles. Hartman, is hoped to be the beginning of a continuing Edmund “Ted” Stiles intern The intent of the fund is relationship, one we feel Ted would delight in. Tyson Triplett to “ensure the long-term preservation and stewardship of the lands of the Hopewell Valley”, to “pay for interns, students and others working Congratulations! You Kept It Green! in land preservation, stewardship, research and education; On Election Day, New Jersey voters decided they want extending Ted’s legacy through new generations of conser- open space preservation to continue with the approval vationists and memorializing his passion for conservation.” of Question #1, the “Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, This year the fund supported a two-pronged project for and Farmland and the Watershed Reserve. The Rutgers team, led by senior Historic Preservation Ty Triplett, verified and expanded upon forest information Act of 2009.” the students had first gathered from remote imaging of the property, and also determined the plant composition of This Act will continue our largest grassland field, which we restored using native our state’s 50-year tradi- grasses. The data gathered from this summer’s project will tion of preserving critical be used to gain a better understanding of the ecology of lands that protect clean the Reserve as the basis for long-range conservation and drinking water sources, land use management planning. healthy habitats, and farmland for the next An avid plant enthusiast with a sharp eye, Ty located a The Watershed Association two years. green fringed orchid—a plant not recently seen on the rallied for voter support at Reserve—during one of his first visits. Throughout the its press conference October The Watershed Associa- 21 at the Watershed Reserve. summer, he supervised the creation of randomized plots tion is one of 140 organi- in the grassland field and cataloged dominant plant species zations participating in the NJ Keep It Green Coalition, and their distribution, while sharing his plant identification which supported the question and is committed to skills with fellow students. As a result of this work, we now securing long-term or permanent funding for have a plant composition baseline for this field, which will preservation and stewardship of our public lands. allow us to track change over time.

4 Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org Speaking of nature More Than a Field Trip by Jeff Hoagland

Out in the forest along the Stony Brook, you could hear the wind coming, raking through the treetops. I’m not sure how many of the students noticed it—they were engaged in a variety of activities and lessons throughout the forest— but some of us, in the quietude, watched and listened with Timberlane Middle School students explore the Stony Brook. great care. The wind sounded like water washing upon a beach and it brought with it a flurry of golden leaves falling promote knowledge in a memorable fashion utilizing to the ground. Though a common autumn occurrence, it hands-on activities in a real world context, their world. The still solicited a few “oooh”s and “ahhh”s from the students. stream, forest and meadows that are the setting of these lessons are part of these students’ home. And it is a part of So while some students were busy—building shelters, their home that many are forgetting. calculating the stream flow, creating eco-art, measuring trees or discovering aquatic neighbors—others were We won’t spend time here to look at the many reasons this mesmerized by the leaf fall. I confess, I was one of them, is happening though it is clear to say that our culture has guilty of cataloging and enjoying the varied flight of so not placed much of a value on spending time outdoors in many leaves. It was, in fact, part of my job—I was conducting nature. It is also tempting to point to screen time as one the “Poetry Station.” While I sat and observed I watched culprit and question the lessons that one learns there. I will, some students doing the same, frozen in place in awe. I however, point out that maintaining a relationship with the also watched some students spontaneously express their natural world is vital to the health of our children and the exuberance, targeting and dashing after falling leaves, well being of our environment. Spending time outdoors trying to catch them. in nature can enhance creativity, problem-solving ability, spinning again self-esteem and self-control. It can enhance children’s ­emotional and social development and improve health. in autumn forest Spending time outdoors in nature can reduce stress and boy and a leaf improve focus. During two weeks every October, students, teachers and There is no replacement for direct experience and inter- a few parents from the sixth grade of Timberlane Middle action in the natural world. For some of the Timberlane School join our environmental education staff for an inten­ students, the outdoor lessons conducted on the Watershed sive series of lessons outside on the Watershed Reserve. Reserve are just a small episode in their lifelong relationship Students arrive in “teams” and rotate through a series of with the outdoors. For others, these lessons were a reminder activities over their two full-day visits. The activities are that something big looms outside their doors. There is hands-on and interdisciplinary, addressing school curricula magic in this world and it is all around us. in a variety of subject areas including science, mathematics, language arts, social studies and visual arts. Many of the This winter I will fortify my bond with the land and water activities require teamwork to complete, building cooperation around me by following animal tracks, by watching stream and kinship between students and breaking down barriers. water slide away under the ice, by helping to build a snow In this way, these activities help unify these students who fort and by listening to the winter breeze stir the remaining come to Timberlane from four separate elementary schools. pin oak leaves. In doing so, I will continue to grow and become more fluent in the language of nature, a language These activities serve a vital role for the school community. so many of us have forgotten. It is a language that helps They not only address school curricula but they also make me an even stronger advocate for the land and water.

Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org 5 watershed fest Grants Foster Celebrating 60 Dressed in finery and wellies, close to 300 friends of Stewardship the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association enjoyed great food, music and fun at the 34th Annual The Watershed Association is pleased Watershed FEST: “Celebrating 60 Watershed Years: to announce the grantees of the 2009 Green & Growing.” Watershed Institute Grant Program. Initiated in 2003, the Grant Program aims to help small, citizen-based watershed groups become independent and self-sustaining organizations with robust programs that protect and restore New Jersey’s natural resources.

Funding for the 2009 grant cycle was provided by the ­Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the New Jersey Depart- ment of Environ­mental Protection, and the William Penn Foundation. Funding decisions were made by an external Grant Review Committee of eleven organizational health and watershed management experts. The Watershed Association is grateful to our funders and committee members for their continued support and guidance. From left, Watershed Association Executive Director Now in its seventh year, the Grant Program provided Jim Waltman with Michele Byers-Stiles, executive $100,000 in funds for projects such as rain garden director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, ­installation, nature hikes, water quality monitoring, ­ and Jay Watson, deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. strategic planning and more. Photo by: Nina Brenner The Watershed Association is pleased to continue to support The event, held Saturday October 3 under a beautifully the extraordinary projects undertaken by New Jersey’s water- decorated tent at the Watershed Reserve, celebrated the shed groups. Visit the Institute’s website at www.TheWatershed- Institute.org for detailed information on these, and previous, Watershed Association’s amazing 60-year history protect- ­projects funded through the Grant Program. ing clean water and the environment, while netting more than $90,000 to support our critical conservation, Congratulations to the 2009 grantees! advocacy, science and education efforts. Great Swamp Watershed Association Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. Attendees enjoyed a silent auction, cocktails, hors Lower Passaic Watershed Alliance d’oeuvres, live music by the Darla Rich Jazz Trio, dinner Musconetcong Watershed Association served by Emily’s Café and Catering of Pennington and a Pequannock River Coalition spirited live auction featuring amazing trips, restaurant Rahway River Association South Branch Watershed Association packages and more. In addition, we premiered a special South Jersey Land & Water Trust inspirational video created by students at Hopewell

New AmeriCorps Intern The Watershed Association recently welcomed Sarah Helble as its new AmeriCorps Ambassador. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Environmental Geography, Sarah has studied soil science abroad in New Zealand and volunteered for the Foundation of Peace in the Dominican Republic. As an AmeriCorps Ambassador Sarah is helping educate central New Jersey about the importance of protecting clean water and the environment. AmeriCorps is a national service organization helping to meet critical needs in education, the ­environment, public safety, homeland security and other areas. 66 Winter Summer 2009–10 2009 www.thewatershed.org www.thewatershed.org Watershed Years

Watershed FEST co-chairs Bill Carmean and Nancy Ross of Yardley Pa. Photo by: Nina Brenner

From left, Hopewell Borough Mayor Paul Anzano, Hopewell Township Mayor Vanessa Sandom, and Watershed Associa- tion Executive Director Jim Waltman. Photo by: Nina Brenner The Watershed FEST’s 2009 corporate sponsors are Bristol- Valley Central High School (available for viewing at Myers Squibb Company; Career Builder, LLC; Church www.thewatershed.org). & Dwight Co., Inc.; Farewell Mills Gatsch Architects, LLC; Janssen Division of Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; “The FEST’s success is a tribute to the generosity of this Johnson & Johnson; PNC Bank/PNC Wealth Management; community and critical nature of the Watershed Associa- PSEG; and TD Bank. tion’s important mission,” said Bill Carmean, Watershed Association Trustee and FEST co-chair. “Special thanks go out to the dedicated volunteers and staff who made this event possible, our corporate and individual sponsors and to all those whose generous donations made the 2009 Nancy Ross Watershed FEST a resounding success.” Watershed Advisory Board member 34th Annual Watershed FEST co-chair

What is your favorite thing about the Watershed Association?

“My favorite thing about the Watershed Association is that it is such an active place. It’s not just a bunch of people who said ‘let’s keep these acres intact’ forever— that’s important in and of itself—but it’s also full of people From left, Watershed Association Board of Trustees who are actively working to improve the environment Chair Candace Preston and husband Marvin Preston, and to help municipalities improve the environment, and of Princeton, with new Board of Trustee member Sandra Cartie, chief audit executive for Bristol-Myers Squibb. to help people who live on the banks of rivers to improve Photo by: Nina Brenner the use of their land.”

Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org 7 State of the Watershed continued from page 1 Stony Brook - Millstone Watershed 1930 Land Use/Land Change

NEW JERSEY

Wetlands - 21.0% Agriculture - 48.2% Forest - 26.3% Urban - 4.2% Others - 0.3% *The 1930 land use/land change layer was derived by modifying 1972 land use/land change data based Streams on the 1930 aerials.

Data Sources: NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection - Land use/Land cover 1972, Streams 2002, and Watershed Management Area 2000; and NJ Office of Information Technology, Office of GIS - AirPhotos 1930. This secondary map product has not been verified or authorized by the source agency. Map created by the GIS Center of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association 10/2009 Project: 2009StateoftheWatershed-LULC1930.mxd degree to which our land has been affected by development through high bacteria and nutrient levels and the and what this means for the health of our water. The report declining health of aquatic life in our streams. Some also addresses what can be done to reverse environmental areas in our region, like the Sourland Mountains in degradation in our region and identifies municipalities in the north of our watershed region and our watershed that have adopted the strongest measures to in the southeast, enjoy cleaner water than others, the protect the environment. report finds.

Where we stand To protect the quality of our water we need strong environ- How we use the land in our watershed has changed mental policies. The Watershed Association is working with dramatically over the last 80 years. We’ve changed from nearly all 26 of our watershed municipalities to strengthen an area dominated by agriculture to one with increased environmental protections. According to our findings, urban areas—and the buildings, pavement and roadways some municipalities have been more active in protecting that come along with it. the environment than others. Montgomery Township for example is proactive in its approach. Our report shows that polluted run-off—“people” pollution like excess lawn fertilizers, leaking septic systems and sewer The road ahead lines, and pet waste—is the biggest contributor to water Everyone needs to be part of the solution to our environ- pollution in our watershed. These issues show up mostly mental problems. That’s why our “State of the Watershed”

8 Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org Stony Brook - State of the Watershed continued from page 1 Millstone Watershed 1972 Land Use/Land Change

NEW JERSEY

Wetlands - 20.9% Agriculture - 40.7% Forest - 26.3% Urban - 11.7% Others - 0.5% Streams

Data Sources: NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection - Land use/Land cover 1972, Streams 2002, and Watershed Management Area 2000. This secondary map product has not been verified or authorized by the source agency. Map created by the GIS Center of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association 10/2009 Project: 2009StateoftheWatershed-LULC1972.mxd

The maps this page and opposite are just one Stony Brook - example of the tools used in Millstone Watershed 2002 Land Use/Land Change the upcoming “State of the Watershed” report to illustrate the conditions facing our water- NEW shed. As you can see, land use JERSEY has changed dramatically over the years as agricultural areas have dim in shed and urban areas increased.

Wetlands - 19.1% Agriculture - 19.4% Forest - 21.9% Urban - 36.6 Others - 3.0% Streams

Data Sources: NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection - Land use/Land cover 2002, Streams 2002, and Watershed Management Area 2000. This secondary map product has not been verified or authorized by the source agency. Map created by the GIS Center of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association 10/2009 Project: 2009StateoftheWatershed-LULC2002.mxd

report also gives readers concrete steps they can take with we can ensure we all have clean water and a healthy us to help make a difference in our watershed. environment for years to come.

From picking up your pet’s waste and testing your soil The “State of the Watershed” report represents a year-long joint before using lawn fertilizer, to telling your municipal effort between the Watershed Association’s Advocacy and Science leaders you want to see stream corridor and tree protection teams. Data was compiled from our own research, testing and ordinances on the books in your hometown, together reporting, as well as from state studies, maps and reports.

Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org 9 Events Calendar—Winter 2009-10

Family & Adult Programs Family & Adult Programs December 5 Pages 10-12 Winter Bird Walk Children’s Programs Saturday, 9–11 AM; Adults and older teens; $5 suggested Page 12 donation per person Winter Preschool Series Join us on a hike of the Watershed Reserve in search of Page 13 wintering birds. We hope to observe sparrows scratching the earth, chickadees and titmice foraging in the trees, Winter School-Age Series and vultures soaring far above. Bluebirds, owls, hawks and Page 14 pheasants are also possible, but we will focus primarily on the common winter birds and their behavior. This program Fee Code: is co-sponsored by the Washington Crossing Audubon. M=  Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association current member December 5 NM = Non-member Holiday Open House at the Buttinger Nature Center Saturday, 12:30–3 PM; Families and Adults; FREE Registration is required for all programs, Help us celebrate the upcoming holidays at the Buttinger unless stated otherwise. Nature Center. Meet the staff and get a close look at our Space is limited. All programs meet at the Buttinger displays and animals. Music, refreshments, children’s crafts Nature Center, unless stated otherwise. Please call and a hike are included in the afternoon’s fun. Receive 20 (609) 737-7592 to register. Payment is accepted by percent off on your Nature Shop purchases this day. cash, check, VISA, Mastercard or Discover and can be dropped off at the Nature Center or mailed to: January 16 Education Programs, 31 Titus Mill Road, Weeds and Wildflowers in Winter Pennington, NJ 08534. Saturday, 9–11 AM; Adults only; FREE Refund Policy Join Betty Horn, wildflower enthusiast and expert, on this walk in Princeton long after the flowering season A full refund will be made if notice of cancellation and discover some of the virtues of last season’s weeds and is received at least 48 hours before a program. wildflowers. Learn to identify a wide variety of these plants Call (609) 737-7592 to cancel. No refunds or credits will be given after that time. in winter, enjoying their exposed form and architecture. Watershed Association membership is not refundable. This program does not meet at the Buttinger Nature Center. Please call for registration and directions. This program is co-sponsored by the Washington Crossing Audubon Society.

February 6 Geocache Event—Winter Exploration Saturday, 10 AM–1 PM; Families and adults; FREE This “event-cache” is a great introduction to the hobby of geocaching as well as the ecology of winter. The public is invited to join geocachers new and old for fun and adventure on the Watershed Association’s Nature Reserve. Watch for more details at www.geocaching.com or contact the Buttinger Nature Center at 609-737-7592.

10 Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org February 27 trails and register their children for summer camp. Can’t Maple Sugar Brunch and Hike make it on March 20? No problem… because EVERY DAY is an ‘Open House’ at the Buttinger Nature Center. You Saturday, two sittings: 9:30–11:30 AM OR 11 AM–1 PM; are also invited to drop by Monday through Saturday to Families and Adults; register your child in person for summer camp. Visit our Fee: $15M/adult, $12M/child under 12 years old; website for complete summer camp info. $20NM/adult, $17NM/child under 12 years old; FREE all children under 3 years old Bring your entire family to the Watershed Reserve to learn about our maple sugaring process. This program includes a demonstration of tree tapping, sap collection/ boiling and a brief discussion of the ecology and history of maple sugaring. Included in the event is a pancake brunch, complete with buttermilk pancakes, bacon, fruit, coffee/tea, juice and hot cocoa, as well as homemade Watershed syrup. Please register for either the 9:30 or 11a.m. brunch sitting. Registration is required, sorry no day of event walk-ins. Full payment is required at time of registration.

March 5 Woodcock Watch Friday, 6 PM; Families and Adults; $5 suggested donation per person Discover the local harbinger of spring, the woodcock, with Education Director Jeff Hoagland. Near the end of winter, March 27 woodcocks return from the south with males performing Build a Birdhouse their highly unusual courtship flight to impress females. Saturday, 1:30–3:30 PM; Families; Fee per birdhouse: $15 Join us at dusk as we watch and learn more about their Experience the joy and excitement of watching a bird raise fascinating life. This program is co-sponsored by the its family by building your own birdhouse with one of our Washington Crossing Audubon Society. Naturalists. As we walk the Reserve property, we will examine several natural bird homes and discover some of the truly strange places birds will build their nests. Each participant can construct their own birdhouse from a kit and take it home.

April 3 Nature Camouflage Egg Hunt Saturday, 10:30 AM; Families (children 3–11 years old) Fee per child: $7M/$10NM; No charge for adults Join our Naturalists for the ultimate egg hunt challenge. Wander through the fields and forests of our nature reserve to see how many naturally dyed eggs you can discover. What else will we find along the way? Claim a special prize for finding the ‘golden egg’.

April 17

March 20 Foraging for Wild Edibles in Spring Summer Environmental Day Camp Saturday, 8:30 AM–12:30 PM; Adults and Older Teens; Fee per person: $20M/$25NM Open House Join us on this delicious hike with Education Director Saturday, 1–4 PM; Families (children entering grades 1–9); Jeff Hoagland on the Watershed Reserve in search of wild FREE edible plants. Explore the traditions of our European and Today offers families a chance to talk with the Camp Native American roots (no pun intended) as we eat our Director, explore the Buttinger Nature Center, walk our way through forest and field! Learn to identify and enjoy

Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org 11 a variety of wild edible plants, including cattail, garlic mustard, violets, wild leeks, spring beauty, wild ginger, Children’s Programs cut-leaved toothwort and much, much more. March 27 April 23 Frog Slog Boy Scouts of America “Bird Study” Merit Badge Friday, 8 PM; Families (children 6 and older) and Adults; Saturday, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM; Boy Scouts 11 years and older; Fee per person: $8M/$12NM Fee per scout: $15 Discover the secret life of frogs on a special night hike with Education Director Jeff Hoagland at the soggy and sonic Join Education Director and Merit Badge Counselor Jeff Watershed landscape of the Association’s pond. Learn where Hoagland for this half-day workshop, designed to help Boy and when to find different frogs and toads as well as how to Scouts earn the Bird Study merit badge. Out on the trails distinguish one frog ‘song’ from another. Come with sharp scouts will learn to observe and identify a variety of birds, ears and eyes, as well as a flashlight. Be prepared for wet and discovering the secret lives of our feathered friends. Boys may register for our ‘Build a Birdhouse’ workshop that immediately follows.

April 2, 5-9 Spring Break Mini-Camp Children 6–12 years old; 9:30 AM–4 PM; Extended day available 8:30 AM–5:30 PM at extra cost Fee per day per child: $50M/$65NM; Extended day fee: $15 per day per child Our popular School Spring Break Mini-Camp is back— bigger and better for 2010! This year you may register for as many days as you want or need—our Teacher/ Naturalists have planned a different outdoor theme for each day’s activities. Of course, you can still count on the great Watershed activities such as a walk to the pond or the stream, shelter building, hiking and campfires with a muddy walking conditions. marshmallow roast. Daily sessions are always conducted out-of-doors so dress appropriately for early spring weather. May 4 and 8 Children bring their lunch each day. Advance registration Exploring the Night: Nocturnal Ecology is required – sorry, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Payment is due at time of registration. Call the Buttinger Presentation and Walk Nature Center for availability and daily themes. Tuesday, May 4, 7–8 PM, Lecture; Saturday, May 8, 8–10 PM, Night Hike Adults only What goes on OUT THERE during the night while we are comfortable in our homes? Explore the mysterious world of nature at night on this illuminating night hike on the Reserve of Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association Tiny Tot Walks in Pennington. Our first session will be a slide lecture (Ages 18–36 months, child must be walking featuring some of the sights and sounds of the nocturnal and accompanied by adult) animal world. After this introduction, we will venture out 10–11 AM: Fee per child: $7M/$10NM into the dark in search of some of the secrets of the night— possibly glowworms, flying squirrels, hungry wolf spiders Join Pam Newitt on an outdoor adventure with or owls. This program is offered through Princeton Adult your budding naturalist as she leads toddlers on School. Register at www.princetonadultschool.org. explorations of the natural world.

March 19 April 20

12 Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org

Winter Preschool Series Series II Children 3–5 years old; parent must stay with child under 4 years old FEbruary 23, 24 Tuesday, 10–11:30 AM and Wednesday, 1–2:30 PM Ice and Snow and Things that Glitter Fee per session: $10M/$15NM or Fee per series: Explore the trails and marvel at the shapes and patterns $45M/$75NM that ice and frost have created. Afterward, we’ll make a There are 2 five-week winter series; register for one or both glittery design. If there is snow on the ground, we’ll play in series, or sessions individually. the snow, too! Series I

January 12,13 Story Time Winter Spend a wintry day with us listening to nature stories. Bring a blanket to curl up with and a teddy bear to hug. The children will also make crafts to accompany each story. As always we’ll have new stories and crafts this year.

January 19, 20 Discover Winter Be a nature detective as we search the Reserve for signs of animals in the winter and discover what makes winter such march 2, 3 a special time of year. We will be outside, so dress warmly! Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! January 26, 27 Celebrate the birthday of Theodore Giesel, beloved What’s in a Cone? children’s author and illustrator. We’ll read the environmental classic, “The Lorax,” and share other favorite Where do pinecones come from? Are they all the same? Seuss stories and make a craft to take home. Discover the wonders of pinecones and evergreens at this time of year. After a hike, we will make a pinecone creation. march 9, 10

FEbruary 2, 3 Hibernation Celebration! Wild or Not? Today we will celebrate the animals that are not seen throughout the winter, the hibernators!!! We will find out Ever see a deer or a raccoon and wonder if it would make a what hibernation is, who is hibernating and where they good pet? I know I have! In this program, we will compare might be. We will even go out and find our favorite place the lives of wild and tame animals. We will then see what to hibernate on the Reserve! Happy Hibernating! makes an animal a good pet! march 16, 17 FEbruary 9, 10 Mad Science! Birds and Pinecone Feeders Calling all mad scientists! Come, let’s explore the wacky Spend a day visiting the birds on the Watershed Reserve. world of science! In this program, we will conduct all kinds We’ll learn how our feathered friends survive the winter of experiments using our senses and our imagination! Who weather, and make a pinecone feeder for your birds knows what will happen!? at home. march 23, 24 The Wildlife of Our Lives Wildlife plays an important part in all of our lives. Did you know that wildlife could be found in our parks, outside our homes, inside our homes, and even in our pockets (especially if you have a quarter in there)? In this program, we will be wildlife investigators. Looking inside and out for signs and symbols of wildlife.

Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org 13 School-Age Winter Series Series II Children 6–9 years old, parents are not required to stay Thursdays, 4–5:30 PM february 25 Fee per session: $12M/$17NM; Fee per series: $55M/$85NM Sun and Snow There are 2 five-week winter series; register for one or both Whatever the weather, we will enjoy it by walking, series, or sessions individually. observing and exploring! Series I march 4 Spin Me A Yarn january 14 Learn how to spin yarn from sheep fleece and enjoy some Owl Prowl good stories! Learn about owls and their habits. Listen to owl calls and try hooting yourself, then search for some hiding owls! march 11 Shelter Building Hike to our shelter building area and try out different methods of constructing a shelter. Learn how to make a cozy and rain proof shelter for you or woodland creatures.

january 21 Frosty Fields Go tramping through the fields to find frosty fun. Then head back to the nature center to warm up and get creative with a craft. january 28 march 18 Keepin’ It Green Bird Nest Quest The evergreens are abundant and fun to observe. We Where did the birds raise their babies last summer? will find out what makes an evergreen and even make an The leaves are off the trees, so it is a good time to find evergreen craft! hidden nests. february 4 march 25 Reindeer Games Orienteering Do we play outside in the wintertime? Of course! Let us Practice your compass skills by playing some easy play some fun winter games. compass games. Then we will navigate through the woods using a compass. february 11 Maple Sugaring It is that time again—maple time! Learn how maple trees produce sap, how we transform maple tree sap into sugary syrup and then participate in our maple syrup taste test!

14 Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org Board of Trustees Candace L. Preston, Chair Our Towns John Ellis, Vice Chair Margaret Gorrie, Vice Chair Lorraine A. Sciarra, Secretary Robert Hillas, Treasurer Dr. William M. Ayers Kathleen Biggins Walter R. Bliss, Jr. Bill Carmean Sandra Cartie Lori Citrone Elliot Cohen Barbara Griffin Cole Jonathan L. Erickson Marylou Millard Ferrara Peter E. Gibson Robert H. Harris, Ph.D. Katharine P. Heins Richard Levandowski Cranbury Monroe East Amwell Montgomery Brian J. McDonald East Windsor North Brunswick Nelson Obus Franklin Pennington Thomas O’Neill Hightstown Plainsboro Scot D. Pannepacker Hillsborough Princeton Borough Richard O. Scribner Hopewell Borough Princeton Township Margaret Sieck Hopewell Township Robbinsville Tee Williams Lawrence Rocky Hill Staff Manalapan Roosevelt Manville South Brunswick Jim Waltman, Executive Director Millstone Borough West Amwell Rich Cavallaro, Controller Millstone Township West Windsor Jennifer Coffey, Policy Director Jeff Hoagland, Education Director Polly Ranson, Director of Membership & Annual Giving Watershed Welcomes Peggy Savage, Science Director Bay Weber, Conservation Director New Employees Nancy Apple Leslie Brecknell and Darlis Beth April Maksymovich recently joined Leslie Brecknell Tammy Gotsch the Stony Brook-Millstone Alyse Greenberg Watershed Association Nicholas Ho team. Leslie, a resident of Roberta Hunter Montgomery Township, is Allison Jackson our new Community Molly Jones Lisa Jordan Advocacy Coordinator. Allison Kohler Darlis Maksymovich Darlis, a resident of Joan McGee East Amwell, is our new Gwen McNamara Executive Assistant support- Jim Myers Pam Newitt ing Executive Director Jim Maryann Polefka Waltman. Colleen Riley Amy Weaver

For more information visit: www.thewatershed.org * EMAIL: To contact staff by email, use the first letter of the person’s first name, followed by the last name: for example, Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association [email protected] 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington NJ 08534 Main office phone: (609) 737-3735 Fax: (609) 737-3075

14 Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org Winter 2009–10 www.thewatershed.org 15 NON-PROFIT ORG. 31 Titus Mill Road U.S. POSTAGE Pennington, NJ 08534 PAID PRINCETON BMEU PERMIT NO. 278 Your water. Your environment. Your voice.

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Holiday Open House

Saturday December 5 12:30–3 PM FREE

Help us celebrate the upcoming holidays at the Buttinger Nature Center. Meet the staff and get a close look at our displays and animals. Music, refreshments, children’s crafts and a hike are included in the afternoon’s fun. Receive 20 percent off on your Nature Shop purchases this day.

Call (609) 737-7592 or visit www.thewatershed.org to learn more.