Stewardship
Environmental stewardship is integral to our mission. The 14-acre Wildflower and Forest Preserve and several dozen other regeneration sites spread throughout the Reservation are the key components of a 20 year program to restore the forest understory and ecology of the South Mountain Reservation. The Preserve and regeneration sites protect native plants from being over browsed by the high deer populations. In addition to its role in forest restoration, the Preserve serves as a destination to educate and engage people of all ages. With a simple trail system and informative signage vistors may learn about woodland, vernal pond, and meadow ecosystems.
If you come across one of the smaller forest regeneration sites we ask that you respect the enclosure and do not enter the fenced area.
The Wildflower and Forest Preserve is adjacent to the dog park and the Wildflower Sculpture Park.
Our stewardship of the Reservation includes caring for the trail system and leading our volunteer programs.
The 2006 South Mountain Reservation Landscape and Infrastructure Assessment and Restoration Management Plan, as requested by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, is available below:
Advocacy
As active stewards of the Reservation, and impassioned advocates for it, the Conservancy is concerned with numerous issues that currently or potentially could degrade the ecology, aesthetics and infrastructure of the park and the experience of its users. We participate at local governmental meetings, partner with the Essex County Parks Department and directly engage with the public on behalf of this fragile natural resource.
Occasionally, owners of property that abut the Reservation will illegally expand their property footprint and take Reservation land for their own use, or they will dump debris in the Reservation. The South Mountain Conservancy will vigorously address these situations, as it has in the past, and continue to work with the Essex County Parks Department and local and state authorities to stop such encroachments and have the property owner remediate the Reservation back to its natural state.
For more information on issues and positions we have made please see the links below.
Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly has spread throughout New Jersey and is in the South Mountain Reservation. Learn more about this invasive pest and what the Conservancy is doing to combat it.