Calling All Birders, Anglers and Wildlife-Watchers!

Help Make The NJ Meadowlands Birding, Fishing & Wildlife Trails Guide A Success

 

By Hugh M. Carola

 

Hackensack Riverkeeper® has partnered with the New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS), the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) and the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce on an exciting new project: the NJ Meadowlands Birding, Fishing and Wildlife Trails Guide. Similar to NJAS’s current Delaware Bayshore Birding and Wildlife Trails effort, the Meadowlands program will serve as an ecotourism handbook for people looking to explore the Meadowlands on foot, by boat or with a rod and reel. But before we can put one in your hands, we need your help!

“One of our main goals is to bring people together and build support in local communities,” said Lillian Armstrong, NJAS’s Director of Birding and Wildlife Trails. “We’re asking people to share their favorite fishing holes and birding hotspots, and we’re asking community organizations and local officials to help us build a network of sponsorship for these guides state-wide.” 

Despite its name, the scope of the guide will not be restricted to the Meadowlands District alone. All natural areas and waterways with the Hackensack River watershed, Hudson River waterfront and Newark Bay/New York Harbor region are eligible for inclusion. Places like Liberty State Park, Palisades Interstate Park, the United Water-owned reservoirs and our area’s various nature centers will be featured prominently.

It’s extremely easy to nominate a site. Just go to our Website: www.hackensackriverkeeper.org and click on the Birding Trail link. From there you can learn more about the project, review maps of the region and download the easy-to-use forms. You can also give me a call at 201-968-0808 and I’ll send you a map and a set of nomination forms.

The nomination period will close September 30, 2005, after which sites will be assessed for factors like the reliability of wildlife viewing and the safety of public access. In addition, we’ll analyze road and capital improvement needs within the Meadowlands District and offer recommendations to improve existing access points and create new ones. We’re planning a June 2006 publication date, after which the guide will be distributed free throughout the region due to the generous support of the Meadowlands Commission.

 

ABOUT THE NJ MEADOWLANDS DISTRICT: 

·       32 square miles, including 8,400 acres of wetlands and waterways

·       It lies just 4 miles west of Manhattan

·       1,168 acres are currently accessible through a network of walking and paddling trails

·       More than 900 different animal and plant species have been recorded there

·       Over 260 bird species (including 65 breeding species) have been observed

·       Threatened and Endangered species reported:

·       26 birds, including Bald eagle, Peregrine falcon and Osprey

·       1 reptile (Wood turtle)

·       1 amphibian (Yellow-spotted salamander)

·       7 plants

 

ABOUT THE PROJECT BOUNDARIES:

·       Generally represents the Hackensack River Watershed (Watershed Management Area 5)

·       Bordered on the east by the Hudson River;

·       On the west by the Passaic River;

·       On the north by the New Jersey State Line; and

·       On the south by Newark Bay & the southern tip of Hudson County including Liberty State Park.

·       Total size is approximately 112,040 acres