In 2021, our 22nd year, the Conservancy continued to safely expand our outside public and stewardship programs in spite of the pandemic. As record numbers thronged to the reservation’s forested landscape and natural attractions, sinuous hiking trails and expansive picnic areas, our efforts played a major role in maintaining and improving its ecology, infrastructure and natural beauty and getting people outdoors. Through our dozens of stalwart volunteers and the financial support of many generous donors and members (hint: become one!), thousands benefited. This is how we made a difference:

Public Programs:

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  • Hikes: Led 50 free hikes with over 320 participants.
  • SMR Family Campout, October: Engaged 180 participants in our award-winning immersive overnight nature program for 40 families with young children. With an enormous assist from Essex County Parks.
  • Mayapple Trail Runs, October: 108 participants ran 10- and 20- mile and 50k distances. (2022 races are again in the spring, on May 19th.)
  • Wildflower Sculpture Park: Four exciting new annual artists supplemented our 13 permanent/long-term exhibits. The new WSP team also ran art appreciation and making programs for the Girl Scouts. In 2022: more community group programs and more innovative artists all aided by a NJ and County local arts grant.

Stewardship Programs:

.  .  Hundreds of volunteers providing thousands of hours helped with:

  • Trail Work: Completed the south end of the new Dogwood Trail; constructed the connecting trail to the planned West Falls Parking lot; improved wood roads erosion control on the West Ridge and River Trails; installed over 1000’ of rope barriers at the Rahway Fairy Trail; built dozens of bog bridges (with scouts) in the Preserve; repaired bridges; and more.
  • Chain Saw Gang: Removed over 200 trees from across the trails.
  • Trailkeepers: Two dozen volunteers kept 40+ miles of trails clear and blazed.
  • Trash Tacklers/Ploggers: Independent and community group efforts removed over 350  bags of trash and litter from the trails, at picnic areas and around Mayapple Hill.
  • Citizen Science: Twenty FrogWatch USA volunteers monitored around 10 sites in the spring and summer. In 2022: FrogWatch training starts in February; a new NestWatch program will monitor SMR bird houses; and we plan to assess water quality with the Rahway River Watershed Association.
  • Preserve Forest Regeneration: Paid summer interns and dozens of small groups and a few public programs allowed ongoing stewardship of the 14-acre site including removal of 30,000 sq. ft. of black plastic that smothered Japanese knotweed after seven years.
  • Forest Regeneration Fencing Team: Repaired (often with scout help) the fencing on 13 sites damaged by fallen trees. Adopt-a-Site program from two community groups are overseeing two sites.
  • Rahway Fairy Trail. Finished painting of creek bridge and maintained dozens of Fairy Trail Houses.
  • Developed a Leave No Trace program: Working with the County, this program will certify programs that use the reservation as outdoor schools.
  • Spotted Lanternfly. Initial efforts to spray Trees of Heaven to reduce SLF population.

More for 2022:

  • Continue…our many public and stewardship programs including expanding the number of blazed trails.
  • $1 million Grant: Work with County on executing the recently awarded $1 million Green Acres and County Open Space grant submitted by the SMC to improve emergency access roads, repair damage from Hurricane Ida and becomes more resilient to extreme weather events, implement the master plan for the Rahway Fairy Trail, expand parking, upgrade the Dog Park, etc.
  • SMR Map…a revision of the 2017 version
  • Publish: The Hogenauer SMR History
  • SMC Annual Public meeting: Tuesday, March 22nd via Zoom. Learn more about our plans and hear an expert speaker on New Jersey’s efforts to deal with the proliferation of the Spotted Lanternfly.

Again, help make these initiatives a reality by joining the active community that supports this beloved regional park at our doorstep. Sign up for our newsletter, volunteer and become a member.