Friends of Princeton Open Space Receives Franklin Parker Grant

Friends of Princeton Open Space (“FOPOS”) is pleased to announce that it has recently received its third Franklin Parker Excellence Grant, through a grant program administered by New Jersey Conservation Foundation.  Previous grants were used for projects in the 400-acre Mountain Lakes Open Space Area that surrounds FOPOS’s headquarters at Mountain Lakes House, and included installing native plants, constructing deer exclosures to protect native trees, shrubs and plants, and removing invasive species.

This year’s grant will be used to purchase resources to teach children from local schools and summer camps the importance and wonder of the natural world.  The children will be able to use equipment such as microscopes, insect nets and water quality testing kits to study plants and animals in our parks, and will also be given supplies for activities to do at home.

Since receiving the grant in June, FOPOS has already hosted 36 children from the Princeton YMCA Outdoor Living Skills camp.  FOPOS Natural Resources Manager Jeff Geist, along with summer interns Anna Korn and Katrina O’Donnell, gave the children a guided hike, pointed out edible wild berries, identified trees and wildlife, and taught basic outdoor first-aid.  FOPOS hopes to partner with many other school and camp groups to continue its environmental education work with the new equipment.

Top 10 DO NOT PLANT LIST

These plants are readily available at many nurseries, but they are invasive and can rapidly take over a natural area.  Native plants are easier to care for, require no fertilizer, and create habitats for wildlife.  There are many places to purchase native plants, such as D&R Greenway's Native Plant Nursery.  http://www.drgreenway.org/NativeNursery.html

Celebrate National Trails Day, June 3rd

Saturday, June 3rd is National Trails Day! We invite you to grab your copy of Walking the Trails In and Around Princeton and go exploring the many miles of beautiful trails in our town.

ABOUT NATIONAL TRAILS DAY: National Trails Day is the only nationally coordinated event designed to unite all muscle-powered trail activities with the goal of connecting more people to trails. Every trail beckons adventure and has a story to share with any person willing to discover it, and American Hiking Society believes these trail experiences can improve the lives of every American.

Each year, on the first Saturday of June, American Hiking Society and the trails community invite Americans of all ages and abilities to find their own adventure and discover their unique story at one of the thousands of events hosted throughout the country.

By coordinating a wide array of trail activities on a single day, National Trails Day attracts new trail users and helps connect existing trail enthusiasts with local clubs and organizations with the hopes of creating trail advocates and stewards. The task to protect and maintain more than 200,000 miles of trails in the U.S. requires a collaborative effort among trail clubs, organizations, government agencies, and most importantly passionate trail advocates and stewards.

Click here for a list of National Trails Day events around New Jersey.

 

Mother's Day at Mountain Lakes

Bring Your Mother to Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve
Sunday, May 14
2PM to 4PM
57 Mountain Avenue
Princeton

Stop by Mountain Lakes House between 2PM and 4PM on Mother's Day for tea and cookies on the lovely stone terrace overlooking the lakes.

We will have Frank Sauer's stunning photos of Mountain Lakes Preserve on display. And Sophie Glovier will be at the Mountain Lakes House with updated copies of Walk the Trails In and Around Princeton -- an invaluable trail guide to Princeton. And we will have a special treat for all moms!

We also invite you to take a Mother’s Day Trail Walk at Mountain Lakes Preserve. Maps will be available for family-friendly self-guided walks in the Mountain Lakes Preserve. Over eight miles of trails as well as lots of birds, wildlife, and spring wildflowers. Celebrate Mother's Day by spending some invigorating and inspiring outdoor family time!