Month: March 2016
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Update on Road Closures in Wharton State Forest
John Druding of Open Trails had a conference call with the Director of Parks and Forestry, Mr. Mark Texel, regarding the DEP’s plans for Wharton State Forest. Mr. Texel shared that the DEP has identified several “Environmentally Sensitive Areas” or ESAs, in which motorized vehicles are not allowed. The ESAs are mostly bogs, but do…
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DEP Releases New Plan for Wharton State Forest
The DEP released their new plan at the stakeholder meeting last night, which OTNJ and other stakeholder groups were a part of. The plan consists of stepping up enforcement and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Technology and equipment, including cameras, helicopters, drones and new vehicles will be brought to bear to enforce rules that already exist…
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OTNJ has teamed up with Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a national organization that promotes responsible recreation through stewardship, communication and education. Recently, some of the OTNJ staff attended a Tread Lightly! “train the trainer” course and our own Pola Galie will be giving a Tread Lightly! talk on Sunday, 4/17/16 at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, Waretown, NJ at…
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Update on Pinelands Commission Meeting / OTNJ Membership!
The Pinelands Commission meeting this past Friday was well attended. Due to our rapid response we were able to head off any immediate resolutions regarding the invalid 2014 topographical map, but the battle continues. The Pinelands Commission has resolved to look at areas within Wharton that require protection. Open Trails will follow this process every…
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We need your help! Take action today!
The Pinelands Commission is going to discuss the MAP on Friday, March 11th and they need to hear from you. Click here to provide your feedback. It will take less than one minute of your time. It is critically important that they hear from you! Click here to submit your comment!