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NJ BEGINS URBAN WILDLIFE STUDY PROJECT Hackensack Riverkeeper assists NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program By Hugh M. Carola This year, the state of New Jersey began an ambitious project to identify endangered and threatened animal species that live in our urban counties. The Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP), a program of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, has called for volunteer naturalists to take part in the Urban Wildlife Study Program. Although we don't often think of rare species inhabiting urban and developed areas, they do. This year alone, Capt. Bill and I have observed the following endangered bird species within the Hackensack River Watershed:
Our developed watershed isn't much different from that of the Hudson, Passaic and Raritan watersheds; they are all places where people and animals can and do coexist. In fact, oases of habitat like the Oradell Reservoir, Saw Mill Creek Marsh and Overpeck Park are critical to the survival of many resident and migratory species. Because the state has insufficient data on such species in urban open space areas and because those areas often require special protection, the Survey Project was begun. After the initial call for volunteers, planning sessions were held at Weequaic Park in Newark and training sessions were begun at Bloomfield College in Bloomfield with more training scheduled for this summer and fall. Spring-migrating and breeding songbirds, waterbirds and raptors have already been counted as well as breeding reptiles and amphibians. Next up will be fall migratory birds and winter resident waterfowl with a special emphasis on the Meadowlands. The goal of the Project is twofold. It will collect wildlife data that will be used to inform Landscape Project Maps, which target and prioritize critical habitat for conservation. And it will help nonprofit groups further protect, conserve and restore wildlife in their urban areas and benefit public education and awareness. As you can see, the Project and Hackensack Riverkeeper were made for each other. One of the great things about the Project is that one need not be an "expert" to volunteer. All are welcome to take part. In addition to training sessions, mentoring with experienced wildlife watchers is available for anyone through the ENSP and volunteers can gather data on their own time. To take part in the Project, contact ENSP Outreach Biologist Marie Mockers-Numata at 609-777-4136 or via e-mail at Marie.Mockers-Numata@dep.state.nj.us. You can also learn more about it on their website at: www.njfishandwildlife.com. Hope to see you in the field!  Photo Courtesy: Marcus G. Martin http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/htmsl/h2030pi.jpg Yellow Crowned Night Heron |