2022 CONFERENCE: Schedule
Keynote Speaker: Margaret O'Gorman
Margaret O’Gorman operates at the intersection of business and nature. She is the President of the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) and author of the book “Strategic Corporate Conservation Planning” which advances the idea that business value can be realized from conservation action. She works with multinational corporations to develop integrated strategies and implement conservation projects that meet business needs and, in so doing, enhance ecosystems, connect communities, and engage employees. She helps companies integrate conservation objectives into their sustainability efforts and drives long-term engagement through WHC’s signature Conservation Certification recognition, which serves to define the standard for corporate conservation worldwide.
She has consulted with Fortune 500 companies like General Motors, Exelon, Chevron, BASF, and others to develop strategies and frameworks to integrate biodiversity in business. These strategies have been deployed across over 1,000 conservation programs in 28 countries and have connected simple and complex acts of conservation to larger corporate goals.
Margaret is a compelling writer and speaker on the need to act for nature. She uses her platform and audience to promote private sector engagement in conservation action to restore ecosystems, recover species, connect people, and make a positive difference to people and planet. Prior to her work with WHC, she led the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey and prior to that, led fundraising efforts for New Jersey Future and Pinelands Preservation Alliance.
She has consulted with Fortune 500 companies like General Motors, Exelon, Chevron, BASF, and others to develop strategies and frameworks to integrate biodiversity in business. These strategies have been deployed across over 1,000 conservation programs in 28 countries and have connected simple and complex acts of conservation to larger corporate goals.
Margaret is a compelling writer and speaker on the need to act for nature. She uses her platform and audience to promote private sector engagement in conservation action to restore ecosystems, recover species, connect people, and make a positive difference to people and planet. Prior to her work with WHC, she led the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey and prior to that, led fundraising efforts for New Jersey Future and Pinelands Preservation Alliance.
Pre-conference field trips | Sunday, September 18
Note: Field Tours will take place rain or shine. Please make sure you dress for inclement weather and field conditions, and bring proper clothing, bug spray, sun screen, water, and binoculars (if necessary).
West Pine Plains Natural Area Hike
Join us for a six-mile hike on the West Pine Plains Natural Area which is part of Bass River State Forest and home to the dwarf pine plains -- the world’s largest acreage of this globally rare forest community. The hike will meander along sand roads and trails at a moderate pace near the NJ Forest Fire Service’s Coyle Field. The hike will be almost entirely through parts of the forest that were burned in the March 2019 Spring Hill wildfire. You will be able to see first-hand the regeneration of the forest that has occurred since the fire as well as the devastation that the fire wrought. Several sections of the hike will be through places where the mature trees are scarcely taller than the hikers themselves and in some places are not. The hike will traverse several ridges that will provide fantastic views of the surrounding area which is a rarity for this part of the state. This is especially true now since the fire removed almost all of the vegetation which previously blocked the views. Portions of the hikes will be through sugar sand.
Service animals only are permitted. Wear appropriate clothes and shoes. Wear clothes you do not mind getting ash and soot on. Bring plenty of water, snacks (a bagged lunch will be provided). Ticks and chiggers will be active so bug spray is highly recommended. Sunscreen is also recommended as we will be in full sun the entire hike as dwarf pines do not provide any shade. These hikes are not ADA accessible. We will stop at a restroom near the start of the hike on the way there and also on the way back to the hotel, which is about a 45-minute drive. The hikes will be cancelled if there are thunderstorms in the area. Light rain will not cancel the hike.
Join us for a six-mile hike on the West Pine Plains Natural Area which is part of Bass River State Forest and home to the dwarf pine plains -- the world’s largest acreage of this globally rare forest community. The hike will meander along sand roads and trails at a moderate pace near the NJ Forest Fire Service’s Coyle Field. The hike will be almost entirely through parts of the forest that were burned in the March 2019 Spring Hill wildfire. You will be able to see first-hand the regeneration of the forest that has occurred since the fire as well as the devastation that the fire wrought. Several sections of the hike will be through places where the mature trees are scarcely taller than the hikers themselves and in some places are not. The hike will traverse several ridges that will provide fantastic views of the surrounding area which is a rarity for this part of the state. This is especially true now since the fire removed almost all of the vegetation which previously blocked the views. Portions of the hikes will be through sugar sand.
Service animals only are permitted. Wear appropriate clothes and shoes. Wear clothes you do not mind getting ash and soot on. Bring plenty of water, snacks (a bagged lunch will be provided). Ticks and chiggers will be active so bug spray is highly recommended. Sunscreen is also recommended as we will be in full sun the entire hike as dwarf pines do not provide any shade. These hikes are not ADA accessible. We will stop at a restroom near the start of the hike on the way there and also on the way back to the hotel, which is about a 45-minute drive. The hikes will be cancelled if there are thunderstorms in the area. Light rain will not cancel the hike.
- Lead: NJ DEP Division of Parks and Forestry
- Depart time: 10:00 a.m. Return time: 1:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Batsto Village
Come visit the historic Batsto Village in the South-Central Pinelands of New Jersey! It is a nationally recognized historic site known for both its beauty and historical significance, with the village dating back to 1766, located within Wharton State Forest. You will spend 3 hours here, with many options for activities. You will participate in a short interactive video/orientation. After that, you are welcome to take a 1-hour history tour of the village, go on an unguided hike along a blazed trail with .5-, 1-, or 2-mile loop options, and/or explore Batsto Lake by canoe (there will be 10 canoes available for the group’s use). Explore Batsto Lake by canoe and you’ll quickly realize what caused the United Nations to designate the Pine Barrens an International Biosphere Reserve. Nestled deep in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Batsto Lake offers you the opportunity to experience wetlands typical of the Pinelands region. Atlantic white cedar, blueberries, cranberries, and carnivorous plants line the lake’s shore. The carpenter frog, redbelly turtle, great blue heron and bald eagle are just a few animals that can be seen here.
There also is a Fall Antique, Glass, and Bottle Show occurring in the village on this date that you can check out as well.
Restrooms are available onsite. Wear appropriate clothes and shoes. Bring plenty of water, snacks (a bagged lunch will be provided). Ticks and chiggers will be active so bug spray is highly recommended. Sunscreen is also highly recommended. The hikes are not ADA accessible. It is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel.
Come visit the historic Batsto Village in the South-Central Pinelands of New Jersey! It is a nationally recognized historic site known for both its beauty and historical significance, with the village dating back to 1766, located within Wharton State Forest. You will spend 3 hours here, with many options for activities. You will participate in a short interactive video/orientation. After that, you are welcome to take a 1-hour history tour of the village, go on an unguided hike along a blazed trail with .5-, 1-, or 2-mile loop options, and/or explore Batsto Lake by canoe (there will be 10 canoes available for the group’s use). Explore Batsto Lake by canoe and you’ll quickly realize what caused the United Nations to designate the Pine Barrens an International Biosphere Reserve. Nestled deep in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Batsto Lake offers you the opportunity to experience wetlands typical of the Pinelands region. Atlantic white cedar, blueberries, cranberries, and carnivorous plants line the lake’s shore. The carpenter frog, redbelly turtle, great blue heron and bald eagle are just a few animals that can be seen here.
There also is a Fall Antique, Glass, and Bottle Show occurring in the village on this date that you can check out as well.
Restrooms are available onsite. Wear appropriate clothes and shoes. Bring plenty of water, snacks (a bagged lunch will be provided). Ticks and chiggers will be active so bug spray is highly recommended. Sunscreen is also highly recommended. The hikes are not ADA accessible. It is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel.
- Lead: NJ DEP Division of Parks and Forestry
- Depart time: 12:00 p.m. Return time: 5:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free
NAACC Field Training for Assessment of Road-Stream Crossings for use by Terrestrial Wildlife
When using landscape models to identify wildlife corridors and prioritize land for acquisition or creation of wildlife crossings on roads and highways, it is important to consider where passable road-stream crossings may already exist. The presence of a passable structure can raise the value of one potential corridor over other options. The North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) recently released a new crossing assessment module for evaluating the pass ability of bridges and culverts for a variety of wildlife species. When entered into the NAACC database, data collected using this module are scored for six groups of terrestrial wildlife and provides an overall pass ability score that is an average of the six group scores. These terrestrial passability scores are then used by the Designing Sustainable Landscapes (DSL) program to model regional connectivity for use in Nature’s Network and other conservation designs.
This full-day workshop will provide field training in the assessment of road-stream crossings for terrestrial passability. Prior to the workshop there will be an opportunity to participate in a webinar providing training on the assessment protocols. These two trainings, along with passing an on-line quiz, will fulfill all of the requirements for NAACC certification, so that you can begin your own terrestrial connectivity assessment program. Wear appropriate clothes and shoes for hiking, though the culverts will be just a short walk from the parking locations. All equipment will be provided for the assessments. Bring plenty of water, snacks (a bagged lunch will be provided). Ticks and chiggers will be active so bug spray is highly recommended. Sunscreen is also recommended.
When using landscape models to identify wildlife corridors and prioritize land for acquisition or creation of wildlife crossings on roads and highways, it is important to consider where passable road-stream crossings may already exist. The presence of a passable structure can raise the value of one potential corridor over other options. The North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) recently released a new crossing assessment module for evaluating the pass ability of bridges and culverts for a variety of wildlife species. When entered into the NAACC database, data collected using this module are scored for six groups of terrestrial wildlife and provides an overall pass ability score that is an average of the six group scores. These terrestrial passability scores are then used by the Designing Sustainable Landscapes (DSL) program to model regional connectivity for use in Nature’s Network and other conservation designs.
This full-day workshop will provide field training in the assessment of road-stream crossings for terrestrial passability. Prior to the workshop there will be an opportunity to participate in a webinar providing training on the assessment protocols. These two trainings, along with passing an on-line quiz, will fulfill all of the requirements for NAACC certification, so that you can begin your own terrestrial connectivity assessment program. Wear appropriate clothes and shoes for hiking, though the culverts will be just a short walk from the parking locations. All equipment will be provided for the assessments. Bring plenty of water, snacks (a bagged lunch will be provided). Ticks and chiggers will be active so bug spray is highly recommended. Sunscreen is also recommended.
- Lead Contact: Scott Jackson ([email protected])
- Depart time: 10:00 a.m. Return time: 4:30 p.m.
- Cost: $50
conference field trips | Tuesday, September 20
Note: Field Tours will take place rain or shine. Please make sure you dress for inclement weather and field conditions, and bring proper clothing, bug spray, sun screen, water, and binoculars (if necessary).
Cape May Peninsula - Trip 1
Presenters:
Tim McGuire, McCormick Taylor
Brian Williamson, Wetlands Institute
Bruce Hawkinson, NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) (retired)
Description:
Three stops highlighting Diamondback terrapin road mitigation projects, and habitat restoration/management.
Schedule:
Total time ⁓ 4 hours 55 minutes
Presenters:
Tim McGuire, McCormick Taylor
Brian Williamson, Wetlands Institute
Bruce Hawkinson, NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) (retired)
Description:
Three stops highlighting Diamondback terrapin road mitigation projects, and habitat restoration/management.
- Stop 1 – Sea Isle Boulevard: You will hear a synopsis of this multi-million dollar retrofit project funded by FHWA and sponsored by Cape May County. Sea Isle Boulevard is a Cape May County coastal evacuation route for several barrier island communities that were vulnerable to tidal flooding and road closures. The 1.7-mile causeway was also the site of numerous vehicle strikes of gravid female terrapins that sought access to upland nesting areas via crossing the County roadway. The roadway was significantly raised to meet the 100-year flood elevation and included three 76-inch elliptical concrete pipes to allow tidal waters and terrapins to pass underneath. Exclusion fence was installed to prevent terrapins from accessing the roadway and to guide them to the pipes. The fence was attached to the steel guiderail rather than at the toe of embankment to maintain turtle nest habitat.
- Stop 2 – The Wetlands Institute: The Wetlands Institute of Stone Harbor, NJ promotes appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of coastal and wetland ecosystems through programs in research, conservation, and education. This field trip would explore the Institute’s conservation approaches to reducing terrapin road mortality, and their partnering efforts with NJDOT's Office of Maritime Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers in restoring State-listed shore bird habitats through the beneficial use of dredged materials. There also is a monarch tagging program that occurs in September.
- Stop 3 – Drag Island: As a result of the replacement of NJDOT’s Route 152 Bridge in 1991, mitigation was required. Drag Island is located in the Great Egg Harbor Bay near Somers Point. Mitigation consisted of the creation of 24.12 acres of tidal wetlands on Drag Island dominated by Spartina alterniflora, and 1.32 acres along the previous roadway. An Osprey platform was constructed, and two islands were created including one covered in shells for shorebird nesting. (Also, a fishing pier was created using the former wooden bridge on Route 152.) The mitigation project satisfied the 85% vegetative coverage permit requirements after 3 years of monitoring in 1996.
Schedule:
Total time ⁓ 4 hours 55 minutes
- Time from hotel to Stop 1: 30 minutes
- Time at Stop 1: 45 minutes
- Time to Stop 2: 20 minutes
- Time at Stop 2: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Time to Stop 3: 25 minutes
- Time at Stop 3: 15 minutes
- Time to hotel from Stop 3: 25 minutes
Cape May Peninsula - Trip 2
Presenters:
Eric Olsen, The Nature Conservancy
Tim McGuire, McCormick Taylor
Brian Williamson, Wetlands Institute
Bruce Hawkinson, NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) (retired)
Description:
Three stops highlighting Diamondback terrapin road mitigation projects, and habitat restoration/management.
Schedule:
Total time ⁓ 5 hours 10 minutes
Presenters:
Eric Olsen, The Nature Conservancy
Tim McGuire, McCormick Taylor
Brian Williamson, Wetlands Institute
Bruce Hawkinson, NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) (retired)
Description:
Three stops highlighting Diamondback terrapin road mitigation projects, and habitat restoration/management.
- Stop 1 – TNC Meadows: The Nature Conservancy’s South Cape May Meadows Preserve is home to more than 200 acres of critical habitat for birds and other wildlife. Part of a large restoration project in 2007, the Meadows boast healthy dunes, freshwater wetlands, lush meadows and a mile of protected beach. Unique water controls installed during the restoration help combat flooding and manage resting and feeding areas for birds. We’ll enjoy a leisurely walk on more than a mile of flat, easily-walkable trail, stopping on an undeveloped stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach, and checking out our rain garden, bird-viewing platform, freshwater stream and pond.
- Stop 2 – Sea Isle Boulevard: You will hear a synopsis of this multi-million dollar retrofit project funded by FHWA and sponsored by Cape May County. Sea Isle Boulevard is a Cape May County coastal evacuation route for several barrier island communities that were vulnerable to tidal flooding and road closures. The 1.7-mile causeway was also the site of numerous vehicle strikes of gravid female terrapins that sought access to upland nesting areas via crossing the County roadway. The roadway was significantly raised to meet the 100-year flood elevation and included three 76-inch elliptical concrete pipes to allow tidal waters and terrapins to pass underneath. Exclusion fence was installed to prevent terrapins from accessing the roadway and to guide them to the pipes. The fence was attached to the steel guiderail rather than at the toe of embankment to maintain turtle nest habitat.
- Stop 3 – Drag Island: As a result of the replacement of NJDOT’s Route 152 Bridge in 1991, mitigation was required. Drag Island is located in the Great Egg Harbor Bay near Somers Point. Mitigation consisted of the creation of 24.12 acres of tidal wetlands on Drag Island dominated by Spartina alterniflora, and 1.32 acres along the previous roadway. An Osprey platform was constructed and two islands were created including one covered in shells for shorebird nesting. (Also, a fishing pier was created using the former wooden bridge on Route 152.) The mitigation project satisfied the 85% vegetative coverage permit requirements after 3 years of monitoring in 1996.
Schedule:
Total time ⁓ 5 hours 10 minutes
- Time from hotel to Stop 1: 55 minutes
- Time at Stop 1: 2 hours
- Time to Stop 2: 35 minutes
- Time at Stop 2: 45 minutes
- Time to Stop 3: 15 minutes
- Time at Stop 3: 15 minutes
- Time to hotel from Stop 3: 25 minutes
Central NJ Road Mitigation (on and off road)
Presenters:
Rob Auermuller, NJ Division of Parks and Forestry, Wharton State Forest
Brian Zarate, NJ Fish and Wildlife, Endangered & Nongame Species Program
Description:
Two stops highlighting road mitigation projects for reptiles and amphibians. If enough interest, attendees for this trip will be broken into two vehicles and stopping at alternate stops to maximize capacity.
Schedule:
Total time = ~ 5.5 hours
Presenters:
Rob Auermuller, NJ Division of Parks and Forestry, Wharton State Forest
Brian Zarate, NJ Fish and Wildlife, Endangered & Nongame Species Program
Description:
Two stops highlighting road mitigation projects for reptiles and amphibians. If enough interest, attendees for this trip will be broken into two vehicles and stopping at alternate stops to maximize capacity.
- Stop A – Pine Barrens Forest: This field trip stop will examine a conflict between legal and illegal off-road vehicle use within a state forest and the natural resources in that forest, including wildlife and plant communities.
- Stop B – Wildlife Passage System in Assunpink WMA: This field trip stop would look at a newly constructed wildlife passage system across a NJFW-owned roadway, designed primarily for turtles and amphibians.
Schedule:
Total time = ~ 5.5 hours
- Time from hotel to Stop A: 40 minutes
- Time to hotel from Stop B: 90 minutes
- Time spent at each Stop: 60 minutes
- Time between Stop A and Stop B: 60 minutes
Atlantic City Expressway
Presenters:
Nick Marchese, John McDonnell, Elyse Forcier, Kailey Howard, South Jersey Transportation Authority
Gretchen Fowles, NJ Fish and Wildlife, Endangered & Nongame Species Program
Description:
Three stops highlighting a wildlife passage system under the highway, SJTA’s Pinelands Interpretive Center and Grassland Conservation Management Area GCMA.
Schedule:
Total time = ~ 3.4 hours
Presenters:
Nick Marchese, John McDonnell, Elyse Forcier, Kailey Howard, South Jersey Transportation Authority
Gretchen Fowles, NJ Fish and Wildlife, Endangered & Nongame Species Program
Description:
Three stops highlighting a wildlife passage system under the highway, SJTA’s Pinelands Interpretive Center and Grassland Conservation Management Area GCMA.
- Stop 1 – Wildlife Crossing: We will view one of 3 wildlife passages under the highway as well as 4 miles of exclusion fencing. This passage system has been monitored jointly by the NJFW and SJTA, along with Montclair State University and now Stockton University. As a result of the monitoring effort, improvements to the wildlife shelves and fencing have been implemented and monitoring continues to evaluate the success of those improvements.
- Stop 2 – Farley Service Area: At the Farley Service Area on the ACX we will view the Pinelands Interpretive Center and review information about the Pinelands, the READI program and the native plantings including a hummingbird and butterfly garden. READI encompasses other features such as bird, bat, and owl box installations on the ACX, as well as osprey platforms in Atlantic City. SJTA has been supporting an education program in elementary schools since 2011 stressing the importance of environmental stewardship.
- Stop 3 - Grassland Conservation and Management Area: The South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) is locating a Grassland Conservation and Management Area (GCMA) to a site in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, NJ. The work is being conducted pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and the SJTA, which calls for the creation and maintenance of a new GCMA comprising a minimum of 62 cleared acres, located 50 meters from any structure or forest edge to create viable grassland nesting habitat for the State Endangered upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) and State Threatened grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum).The project is being designed in collaboration with a Grassland Advisory Committee consisting of the Pinelands Commission, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Endangered and Non-Game Species Program (NJDEP-ENSP), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services, USDA Xerces Society, and the NJ Audubon Society.
On return to the hotel, we will stop briefly at east bound mile post 1.2 of the ACX in Atlantic City to see an osprey platform erected. We will be able to see this without getting off the bus.
Schedule:
Total time = ~ 3.4 hours
- Time from hotel to Stop 1: 40 minutes
- Time at Stop 1: 30 minutes
- Time to Stop 2: 10 minutes
- Time at Stop 2: 30 minutes
- Time to Stop 3: 10 minutes
- Time at Stop 3: 30 minutes
- Time to hotel from Stop 3: 55 minutes
Edwin B. Forsythe / Cedar Bonnet Island
Presenters:
Steve Mars, US Fish and Wildlife Service’s NJ Field Office (retired)
Tina Shutz, NJ Department of Transportation
Description:
Two stops highlighting 2 large habitat restoration projects: Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and the Cedar Bonnet Island Route 72 Mitigation Project. If enough interest, attendees for this trip will be broken into two vehicles and stopping at alternate stops to maximize capacity. Dress appropriately as attendees will be exposed to the elements. Shoes that can get wet along with rain gear and binoculars are recommended.
Schedule:
Total time = ~5 hours
Presenters:
Steve Mars, US Fish and Wildlife Service’s NJ Field Office (retired)
Tina Shutz, NJ Department of Transportation
Description:
Two stops highlighting 2 large habitat restoration projects: Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and the Cedar Bonnet Island Route 72 Mitigation Project. If enough interest, attendees for this trip will be broken into two vehicles and stopping at alternate stops to maximize capacity. Dress appropriately as attendees will be exposed to the elements. Shoes that can get wet along with rain gear and binoculars are recommended.
- Stop A – Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (EBFNWR): More than 47,000 acres of protected coastal habitat in one of the Atlantic Flyway's most active flight paths for migratory birds. The EBFNWR has hiking trails, a 7-mile driving loop (Wildlife Drive), and wildlife observation towers, all located on New Jersey’s back bay watershed. Approximately $4.2 million of FHWA Sandy Resilience Funds were used to restore and improve roadway infrastructure, fish and animal passage, and increased waterfowl use. Refuge personnel will give some background of the FHWA project, how it was damaged by Hurricane Sandy, and the use of FHWA funds to rehabilitate Wildlife Drive and the 2300-acre waterfowl impoundment. In addition, Refuge personnel will discuss future maintenance use of Wildlife Drive and the potential use of additional FHWA funds.
- Stop B – Rte. 72 / Cedar Bonnet Island (CBI): 41 acres located in the southeastern portion of CBI is an approved mitigation site, to mitigate for impacts to intertidal/subtidal shallows and riparian zones associated with the implementation of the NJDOT Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges Project. CBI is also a landholding of the EBFNWR. The goal of the proposed intertidal/subtidal shallows mitigation is to restore twenty acres of intertidal/subtidal shallows by excavating dredge materials located on the southern portion of the island to an elevation that is flooded twice daily by Manahawkin Bay, which is part of the larger Barnegat Bay estuary complex, a National Estuary. In addition, the proposed project revegetated upland portions of CBI (coastal maritime forest) that was dominated by phragmites that posed a fire hazard to the local seashore community and was a source of increased nutrient runoff into Manahawkin Bay. In the southeastern portion of the mitigation site, 5.86 acres is categorized as an upland habitat enhancement area which received sporadic supplemental plantings. Adjacent to the western portion of this upland habitat enhancement area is 1.40 acres categorized as Diamondback terrapin nesting habitat (State Species of Concern) which was left undisturbed. The NJDOT won a FHWA’s 2019 Environmental Excellence Award for this project.
Schedule:
Total time = ~5 hours
- Time from hotel to Stop A: 40 minutes
- Time from hotel to Stop B: 50 minutes
- Time spent at each Stop: 90 minutes
- Time between Stop A and Stop B: 35 minutes