URWA Implementing Forest Stewardship Plan on Fairview Farm

The Upper Raritan Watershed Association (URWA) is beginning a ten-year forest stewardship project on its Fairview Farm property in Bedminster, a 170-acre wildlife preserve and home of the Association’s headquarters.    An updated Forest Stewardship Plan for the property has been completed by Heather Gracie, a volunteer member of URWA’s Natural Science Committee and compliments of Gracie & Harrigan Consulting Foresters, Inc. 

The plan divides Fairview Farm into small management areas, based on forest cover type.  For each area, Gracie listed management practices to complete over the next ten years, including forest thinning, invasive species removal and native tree/shrub plantings.  All practices are geared to improve forest health, wildlife habitat and water quality, as well as recreational and scenic enjoyment. 

To begin work on this plan, Gracie put URWA into contact with grant funding sources within the NJ Forest Service.  With her technical assistance, URWA received a cost-share agreement under the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) to begin implementing the plan immediately.  The first phase of the plan involved thinning a five-acre tract of red pine trees which were heavily planted approximately fifty years ago to help stabilize eroding slopes. Having grown extremely tall and thin, the trees were posing a hazard to hikers.  The thinning will encourage healthy growth of the remaining trees. 

The previous plan, circa 1993, was outdated, based on the influx of invasive plant species, the effect of the overpopulation of white-tailed deer and a broader and better understanding of forest management. 

Boy Scout Michael Moriarty, Troop 199 of Oldwick, is organizing an Eagle Scout project to begin replanting the area this spring as part of the second phase.  With fellow scouts, he will be clearing invasive plants, primarily Japanese honeysuckle, and replanting the area with 500 native tree seedlings.  Such a high number of seedlings will compensate for loss due to deer browse and drought periods.  Forest thinning, invasive removal and native planting will continue in phases, working towards the goal to protect and improve the forest health.

In recent years, URWA has been conducting science-based stewardship projects on Fairview Farm with the hands-on support of corporate, student and scout volunteers.  Past projects have included the establishment of native grass and wildflower meadows, the removal of invasive and promotion of native plant species and the restoration of riparian areas. 

“We are dedicated to carrying out stewardship projects that will not only restore the ecosystem that is enjoyed by visitors to Fairview Farm but also serve as a model for the broader watershed region,” said Cynthia Ehrenclou, Executive Director of URWA.   “Our goal is to increase environmental awareness and encourage best stewardship practices.” 

Fairview Farm, located at 2121 Larger Cross Road in Bedminster, is open seven days a week, dawn until dusk, for passive recreation and education.  URWA is a non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to “secure the environmental future of the Upper Raritan Watershed through advocacy, land preservation, education and research.”   For more information on this project or others, visit our website at www.urwa.org or call 908-234-1852 x13.

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