[Description from Jersey Shore AWS president Mark Dreyfus; to prevent spot burn, map icon is located on Prospertown Lake WMA generally and not at project location]
In the Fall of 2020 The Jersey Shore AWS chapter had an early morning meeting/tour with NJ Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management team members. Prospertown Lake WMA was identified for our first chapter woodcock habitat project.
Our field of dreams was a 1.1 acre field that has been cleared in the past, but was filling up fast with invasive Russian Olive trees. The discussion was how to reclaim the field for the benefit of American Woodcock. The NJ Bureau of Land Management team has offered to have a farmer focus their habitat responsibilities on clearing the field and planting winter wheat in the coming months. This would manicure the field greatly.
Next steps would be to plant a perimeter of alder trees in Spring 2021 to start creating staggered edges. The Jersey Shore chapter of the American Woodcock Society, would assist in the planting of the alder seedlings by having a group of volunteers working Sunday, May 16th on our first habitat project! We hand planted 135 alder seedlings and then applied seedling protector tubes to encourage growth and protect from natures’ nibblers.
Thank you to Animals and Gardens Unlimited in New Egypt, NJ for their healthy donation of supplies for this event. They have a great family run store for pet/livestock food, farm supplies and a really nice hunting/fishing section with live bait. https://animalsandgardensunlimited.com/
This habitat project is a great example of how AWS and NJ Fish and Wildlife can partner to provide for American Woodcock. It also is a strong commitment to demonstrate how AWS is supporting local NJ projects so our chapter can grow and demonstrate how local donations are helping right in our members’ backyards. We would like to thank the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife team for purchasing the alder seedlings and their commitment to be great partners.
