QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
A look back at October - December 2021
and
Upcoming Volunteer and Outdoor Opportunities
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NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING
-and-
Part 2 of 7 in
THE WETLANDS PROTECTION SPEAKING SERIES
Wednesday, March, 9th 2021
Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. / Presentation starts approx. 7:10 p.m.
To be held virtually.
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In 2019, New Jersey honored Ducks Unlimited with the Director's Award for the protection and improvement of thousands
of wetland acres throughout the state. Pictured above: The DU Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area Restoration site.
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Join us at CU Maurice River's Member Meeting on Wednesday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m. to catch up on recent happenings and learn about upcoming outdoor opportunities. This meeting will be held virtually. Afterward, stay connected for the next installment of 2022’s speaking series that explores the need for wetland protection and restoration within the Wild and Scenic Maurice River corridor. On this occasion, Ducks Unlimited will be presenting on the importance of wetland health for waterfowl populations as well as their conservation projects throughout southern New Jersey.
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Ducks Unlimited takes a continental, landscape approach to wetland conservation. Since 1937, DU has conserved almost 15 million acres of waterfowl habitat across North America. While DU works in all 50 states, the organization focuses its efforts and resources on the habitats most beneficial to waterfowl. DU and its partners have conserved over 550,000 acres of waterfowl habitat in the Atlantic Flyway, including over 20,000 acres in New Jersey to date. Jim Feaga is part of a team of biologists, engineers, and other professionals responsible for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and associated habitats in the Mid-Atlantic region, specifically in Pennsylvania and the Mid- and North-Atlantic Coast. From project site identification to research, education, design, planning, grant writing/management, project management, outreach, volunteer involvement, and shovels in the ground, Jim oversees the many aspects associated with completing large-scale wetland restoration, enhancement, and protection projects. |
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Jim (left) working with volunteers to get 52,000 waterfowl plants in the ground at Tuckahoe. |
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Image above taken by CU Naturalist Tony Klock. |
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WHAT
CUMR Member Meeting
- and -
Presentation: 2022 NJ Conservation Overview
by DU's Jim Feaga
WHEN
Wednesday, March 9th
6:30 p.m. - Member Meeting
c. 7:00 p.m. - Presentation
WHERE
The meeting and presentation
will be held virtually on Zoom.
REGISTRATION
Please use the button below to attend.
A link will be sent to all those who have registered.
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Interested in learning more about local wetland health?
Save these dates...
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Annual Membership Meeting and Presidential Award Winners
Wednesday, November 10th, 2021
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At the last Bi-monthly Member Meeting of 2021, we celebrated the volunteers who devoted their personal time to conservation projects led by CU Maurice River in 2021. Adults who dedicated over one hundred hours and youths earning over sixty hours were presented with the Presidential Service Award by Board President Jane Morton Galetto and accompanying Trustees. In 2021, 341 CU Maurice River volunteers cumulatively clocked nearly 11,000 hours at a variety of projects including clean-ups, fostering plants, rain garden installations, wildlife garden experiences, the raptor & waterfowl study, wetland mapping, bluebird trail work, osprey platform maintenance, nature walk leadership, reTurn the Favor, experiential outdoor learning programs, fundraisers, dragonfly mercury sampling, and so, so much more. In all, CUMR's programming attracted over 4,190 attendees and at least 110 events were held. |
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GREATEST NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS
IN ONE YEAR EVER!
340+ people devoted just under
11,000 hours to protecting the area's environmental health.
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LIFETIME PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS
Allen Jackson
Leslie Ficcaglia
Jane Galetto
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VOLUNTEERS WITH 50-99 HOURS
Dave and Scott Fenili
Cheryl Howell
Kathy Michel
Jill Mortenson
Marika Masarek
Janet Parent
Peter Manzelmann
Sharry Masarek
Beverly Smith
Susan McKenna
Suzy Merighi
Tom Glynn
Mary Ann Russell
Jim Blumenstein
Jan Dwyer LoBiondo
Kathy Geiger
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PRESIDENTIAL AWARD WINNERS
(100+ hours or children with 60+ hours)
Mike Golla
Wendy Walker
Mary Watkins
Dorothy Dayton
Sue Fenili
Cindi Berry
Paul Kerlinger
Peter Galetto
Tony Klock
Carl Homan
Tom McKee
Youth Award - Vera Rossini
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CU Staff extends a heartfelt thank-you
to each volunteer who dedicated time to conservation in 2021.
No matter if 1 hour or 1,000+ hours, every drop matters!
Your combined efforts are making all the difference
in further continuing the protection of
the Wild and Scenic Maurice River's natural and cultural resources.
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Jane has a lot of fun creating the Holiday Match mailings each year. During the event in 2020, Jane raised just shy of 33k and our donor matched 20k for a grand total of nearly 53K. The donor liked your spunk so much last year that s/he offered to match 25k for the 2021 fun'raiser. Jane was up for the challenge, which might have come as stating the obvious to many of you. Counting on the CU'esters, she confidently raised her 2021 goal to exceed 53k and got to writing. This year her stories followed the flow of the river from Union Lake to Delaware Bay. Sometimes sharing from memory, others times transmitting from the CU Maurice River's River Recollections Project, at other times she was purely inspired by her sense of humor and the art of fiction.
As mentioned above, the goal was not only to reach the match of $25K but also to surpass the $33k in gifts donated last year by the CU community. This year you all came together to give a total of $37,185.00 in very real donations! Thank you for your support of CU Maurice River's mission and the work we all accomplish when we come together for environmental health!
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Staff would like to extend a special thank-you to CU's Board President Jane Galetto,
who dedicates much of her personal holiday time to raising funds in the most imaginative and informative ways.
If you too would like to show her a sign of your appreciation for her devotion to
CU Maurice River's mission and organizational health, consider sending her an email to ForRivers@comcast.net.
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Oct. 16th Lichen-N-Mushrooms. CU Executive Director Karla Rossini led a nature walk focusing on mushrooms and lichen species. Attendees learned more about fungi anatomy and the role they play in habitats, with a focus on forest ecology. 24 participants.
Nov. 6th Raptors of the Maurice River – As a follow-up outing after Clay Sutton's presentation on the Raptor and Waterfowl Survey, given on October 29th, 2021, CU Naturalist Jim Blumenstein and Program Coordinator Joe Moore retraced the research team's steps, visiting each of the three data collection sites on the Wild and Scenic Maurice River. Attendees spotted several bald eagles, northern harriers, bufflehead ducks, and a number of other species. 14 participants
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Nov. 13th Scotland Run Park. This impromptu birding walk explored the natural treasures of Maurice River’s headwaters along Gloucester County's Scotland Run Park trails. The highlight of the trip occurred on Wilson Lake when the group was treated to excellent views of a hermit thrush and a pied-billed grebe. 13 Participants.
Nov. 20th Turkey Tales. On this Saturday, the group visited the North-South Trail managed by Natural Lands Trust in Bear Swamp. With CU Maurice River's Board President's leadership, the group went into the woods with the goal of finding mother trees and mushrooms. Jane expatiated on old-growth forest ecology and the vital role mycelium plays in forest health. Many wildlife sightings were made along the way. 23 participants.
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TUESDAY ON THE FLY
Oct. 5th Thompson’s Beach. This program highlighted the raptor diversity found throughout the Delaware Bay Watershed and the Maurice River. It was led by CU Naturalist Dr. Paul Kosten, who has had in-depth experience in raptor recovery and management as a volunteer. On this occasion he instructed on raptor ID when viewing soaring and/or perched birds. He also provided insight into the current efforts to restore raptor populations. The group spotted northern harriers, bald eagles, kestrels, and more. 16 Participants.
Nov. 2 Cape May Ferry and Cape Henlopen. In 2021, Tuesday on the Fly celebrated the cultural resources found along the Bayshore Heritage Byway. Starting in the West and ending in the East, the Cape May Ferry was the final historical point of interest included in the program. While crossing the Delaware Bay aboard the ferry, CU Naturalists interpreted sea ducks and other avian species spotted along the way. After arriving in Delaware, the group ventured to Cape Henlopen for lunch and a nature walk before boarding the ferry to return.
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CU SOCIAL
Oct. 29th Raptor and Waterfowl Study by Clay Sutton. Clay Sutton and Jim Dowdell have been leading a Winter Raptor and Waterfowl Survey on the Maurice River for 35 years now. At this virtual CU Social, a summary of their work and the population trends associated with these avian species in the corridor was presented. 59 attendees.
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4th SATURDAY
Oct. 23rd Waltman Park Walk. On CUMR’s last 4th Saturday Walk of the year, the group explored the autumn wildlife and changing foliage. Naturalists pointed out two kinglet species and pointed out to attendees an eastern towhee that dazzled the crowd with its striking poses.
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PADDLE
Oct. 23rd Fall Foliage Paddle. Many people had registered for this event, but sadly the forecast leading up to it was not the most favorable, which had an effect on the overall turnout. However, for those paddlers who did show up the skies cleared just in time for a surprisingly beautiful paddle at Menantico Ponds. Among many other wildlife sightings, paddlers were treated to special views of playful river otters.
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OUTREACH, ENGAGEMENT, AND COVERAGE |
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Oct. 14th Gloucester County Nature Club. Board President Jane Galetto presented on the barred owl life cycle, habits, and distribution in southern New Jersey. The presentation highlighted this species’ specific habitat requirements and the threats that are having a negative impact on the population.
Nov. 13th Hiker Babes at Belleplain. A combined team of CU Maurice River Naturalists and Culturalists, deemed Tree-hugger Babes for this occasion, led 22 Hiker Babes on an introductory walk in southern New Jersey wilds. The leaders spoke about the area’s cultural developments, history of environmental preservation, and the remarkable natural values found in this region.
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Oct 1st Wild and Scenic Rivers Coalition- Elevate Highlight - CU’s Executive Director Karla Rossini met with the Coalition’s organizer, who is leading a diversity-focused webinar during 2021-2022 for the Wild and Scenic Coalition meetings. Elevate was included in the speaking series to showcase inclusion in river recreation and education. CU Trustee Sue Fenili and Word of Life Church Program Director Brenda Bundy were invited to collaborate on the creation of the presentation and to speak with the Coalition. Their participation was key! Together we discussed the program's design, our perspectives relative to our roles, the positive effect this day of outdoor education has had on the participants' development, and the importance of connecting whole families with the great out-of-doors. Later, the River Network reached out to CUMR in order to produce an article for their website about Elevate. The piece and a video of the presentation can be viewed here: https://www.rivernetwork.org/inclusive-river-recreation-outreach-strategies/
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Oct 2nd WheatonArts Festival of Fine Craft – 4,000 community members were in attendance at WheatonArts' first large community event since the Statewide shutdown in 2020. CUMR hosted an exhibitor table and educational activities. These were headed by CU Maurice River Community Engagement and Outdoor Discovery Manager David Scheffler along with the help of 10 volunteers. CUMR staff was able to collect contact information from many community members and involve children in science and art-based outdoor learning activities.
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Wild and Scenic Rivers Partnership – The University of Maine's Dragonfly Mercury Project released a video chronicling CUMR’s participation in this nationwide study being led at National Parks across the country. It included an interview with Karla Rossini and images of the many volunteers who make data collection possible on the Maurice.
You can view the video here: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/dmp-maur-highlight.htm.
SNJ Today- CU Maurice River Board President Jane Galetto and staff submitted stories to this weekly free newspaper that highlight the natural and cultural aspects of our watershed. These articles have generated interest among both membership and readers. The paper is circulated in print and online. You can view the stories here: https://www.cumauriceriver.org/education/nature-around-us/
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YOUTH EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEERISM |
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Oct. 22nd Jersey Devil Hunt. The evening started with a campfire at a member’s home located at a remote trailhead to the Manumuskin Preserve. Russel Juelg of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation started the evening with scary campfire stories about the Jersey Devil. Afterward, the group took a nighttime walk through the woods listening for wildlife sounds. Along the way, Russel stopped the group to tell more stories based on piney folklore. 26 Participants.
Oct. 30th Eagle Scout Project at WheatonArts’ Circle Oasis – CU Maurice River helped a group of Boy Scouts organize their Eagle Scout Award Project, designed to educate on the importance of improved water management and increased aquifer recharge for the continued health of the Wild and Scenic Maurice River. The Scouts improved the functioning of the WheatonArts rain garden system installed in April 2021 as part of the NFWF stewardship project. 19 Scouts attended.
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PAST VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES |
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Oct. 7th Garden Maintenance with First United Methodist Church. A group of CUMR volunteers worked alongside parishioners in the wildlife and rain gardens. The purpose was twofold: to prepare the garden for the winter and to start training the church volunteers on maintenance tasks. 15 volunteers.
Oct. 9th International Waterways Clean-up. CUMR partnered with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and the City of Millville to remove litter from the Maurice River Bicycle and Walking Trail, a Green Acres preserve that is adjacent to the Maurice River. Many bags of litter were gathered, keeping it out of the riparian and wetland habitats found along the trail.
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Oct. 21st First United Methodist Church Garden. This volunteer group, comprised largely of First United Methodist Church of Millville members, finished the weeding work started on 10/7. The group also took plants from the nearby Neighborhood Wildlife Garden and relocated them on the retention mound that runs along the newly paved driveway. 11 volunteers.
Oct. 14th WheatonArts Planting. Volunteers planted native flowers and grasses that had been either donated or grown by members but were too small to plant during installation in the spring of 2021. Staff and volunteers worked together to take note of which plants were thriving or failing in the site’s conditions. This information will be used to plan a future germination session (2022), in which volunteers will once again participate in educational river stewardship and native flora germination workshop. The resulting plants will be donated to the Wheaton rain and pollinator garden.
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2022 FIRST QUARTER EVENTS & VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
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PAST EVENTS OF THE FIRST QUARTER
Jan. 12th, 6:30 p.m.
Bi-Monthly Meeting and
Presentation by Karla Rossini
Virtual event
Jan. 22nd, 8:30 a.m.
CU Saturday with CU Naturalists
Eagle Trail Walk
Natural Lands' Glades Preserve
Jan. 27th, 5:30 p.m.
CU Ambassador Training
with David Scheffler
Virtual Event
Feb. 3rd, 6:30 p.m.
CU Pollinator Advocate Presentation
Virtual Event
Week of January 31st
Cumberland County Eagle Festival
Various virtual events and nature walks
Feb. 10th, 5:30 p.m.
New Member Meeting
Virtual Event
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb. 17th, 6:30 p.m.
CU Social with Pat Sutton
The Unfolding of a Wildlife Garden
Feb. 19th, 9:00 a.m.
CU Saturday led by CU Naturalists Tony Klock and Mary Watkins
Duck Waddle: An expedition in search of ducks
Meet at CU Office, 17 E. Main Street, Millville
Feb. 24th, 5:00 p.m.
Volunteer Training with Gerry Moore-USDA Flora Identification for Mapping Project
Feb. 24th, 7:00 p.m.
Book Circle
Led by Suzy Merighi and Jane Galetto
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UPCOMING EVENTS CONTINUED
Feb. 26th, 11:00 a.m.
Germination Session
Led by Program Manager Joe Moore
March 1st, 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday on the Fly with Joe Moore
NJ Tree Foundation at Von Nieda Park
Meet at CU Office, 17 E. Main Street, Millville
March 5th, 10:00 a.m.
Outdoor Discovery
with David Scheffler & Mike Misero
Introduction to Map and Compass
Meet at CU Office, 17 E. Main Street, Millville
March 9th, 6:30 p.m.
Bi-Monthly Membership Meeting and
Presentation by Ducks Unlimited on their Conservation Projects in S. New Jersey
March 12th, 8:00 a.m. (Time TBD)
Volunteer Workgroup
w/ Tom McKee & Karla Rossini- in partnership with Ducks Unlimited's S. Jersey Chapter
Mapping of Wetland Flora Communities
March 13th, All Day
Community Festival
Lines on the Pines - Community Festival
March 17th, 9:00 a.m.
Garden Workgroup
Neighborhood Wildlife Garden Clean-up
Meet at 213 N. Third Street, Millville
March 19th, 9:00 a.m.
CU Saturday with Jane Galetto
Vulture Culture Hits the Road
Meet at CU Office, 17 E. Main Street, Millville
March 29, 9:00 a.m.
Cumberland County Trash Hunt
on the Maurice River Bicycle and Walking Trail
Meet at Waltman Park
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Would you like to receive the quarterly mailer in your mailbox at home?
View the Winter 2022 mailer below.
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National Park Service's Wild and Scenic Partnership Program - CUMR has been contracting with the National Park Service on implementing aspects of the Maurice River Wild and Scenic Rivers Management Plan since c. 2004. Prior to this, we were awarded NPS Partnership grants beginning in 1996. Proper administration of the Wild and Scenic River Management Plan remains a cornerstone of our work.
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Centerton Dam – In 2021, The Nature Conservancy’s Statewide Dam Removal Program reached out to CU Maurice River to see if we would be interested in coordinating partners for the removal of an extant dam at Centerton Lake. Since then, CUMR’s Executive Director has been researching avenues for removal and getting the appropriate partners involved. The USFW Partnership Program has been closely engaged in this project and is helping to secure a feasibility study. Meanwhile, CUMR provided the guidance necessary to assure the completion of the Homeowner Association’s application to the NRCS’s EQIP Program. CUMR and the HOA have been in contact with the Mayor of Pittsgrove Township to explore possibilities for the land to be preserved.
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Wetland Restoration within the Wild and Scenic Maurice River – Karla Rossini continues to build awareness of the phragmites problem on the river, research ecological solutions, and engage partners in wetland conservation. This effort was picked back up in December as CU Maurice River worked with Princeton Hydro to prepare a proposal for the Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund. Tom McKee has been an essential partner in developing the maps that have been the backdrop for conversations with our partners in conservation.
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Cumberland County Winter Eagle Festival - In November, Jane and staff started coordinating with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and other conservation partners to orchestrate the 2022 Eagle Festival.
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FORUMS, COALITIONS, AND THE LIKE
South Jersey Bayshore Coalition – Previous to this report, CUMR had organized a meeting with ANJEC and South Jersey Land and Water Trust in order to revisit the future of the South Jersey Bayshore Coalition. Over the last quarter, CUMR coordinated with participating organizations in order to measure their level of interest, structure meetings to promote the most participation, and schedule the first gathering which took place in November.
Wild and Scenic Coalition - CU Maurice River has been attending the Coalition’s meetings; these have been helpful in connecting our team with available resources as well as updating us on current activity within the program. In November, CUMR
Delaware River Watershed Coalition – CUMR continues to participate and contribute to this organization.
Citizen-led Advocacy for Conservation – During 2021, many concerned community members brought an array of development proposals to CUMR’s attention. All of these are located within the Maurice River Watershed, with some in sensitive areas adjacent to the designated area. Jane and Karla continue to work together to field inquiries, connect citizens with resources, and provide advice on possible paths forward.
NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee Meetings- CU Maurice River continues to hold a seat on the committee.
CU also continues to serve on the Aquaculture Stakeholder Committee for the State and Federal conservation measures that involve the oyster harvest and its impacts on shorebirds. This is specific to the federally endangered red knot and its migration on the Delaware Bayshore.
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STAFF ACTIVITY REPORT
Personnel-
David Scheffler (Community Engagement and Outdoor Discovery Manager) and Joseph Moore (Program Coordinator) were hired in July 2021. Over the winter they were familiarized with organizing and coordinating CU Maurice River's calendar year, which boasts well over 100 outdoor learning, awareness, and volunteer opportunities. In order to accomplish this sizeable duty, they honed their skills on the many tools staff use to make a heavy lift much lighter. They have put together a wonderful calendar that maintains many favorites and adds some new events never offered before.
National Fish and Wildlife Final Report - CU Maurice River has completed the final report on the National Fish and Wildlife Grant: Implementing Green Infrastructure for the Wild and Scenic Maurice River (2019-2021). The calculation of volunteer time and participation, financial reporting, metrics, and compilation of a program performance narrative were all submitted in November.
Administrative Work-
The front office management continues to track many aspects of CUMR activities, including but not limited to NPS billing, volunteer hours, participation/attendance, volunteer recruitment, bookkeeping, membership donations, corporate support, birth, deaths, illnesses - all the details that make us a community. In 2021, the last quarter was busier than ever since CU hosted the virtual Chili Bowl (October-November) as well as the Holiday Match (November-January) fun'raisers. Unfortunately, during this time Doreen was forced to take a leave of absence on short notice. The Executive Director and Programming Staff were able to help out by learning and completing many front office duties. Both David and Joe are owed a huge thank-you for their willingness and flexibility. Doreen has announced that she will be reducing her hours to part-time; therefore CU Maurice River has started looking for the perfect candidate to hire and train for the Membership and Office Manager position.
National Park Service - Administrative reporting to the National Park Service is an aspect of our functioning beyond the actual carrying-out of the contracted deliverables.
Office Happenings-
Performance reports to the National Park Service are a quarterly aspect of our office duties. CU Maurice River submitted a Quarterly Report to NPS in October. There has been a modification, beginning in December of 2021, whereas CUMR is now required to report on a semi-annual schedule. Staff worked with the River Manager to train on the new tools and understand the new reporting requirements.
A major office focus currently has been teaching and coordinating new staff. Karla completed her first year in her new role as Executive Director on December 31st.
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Calendar - Remember to check our calendar online at www.cumauriceriver.org for any changes or updates to events and volunteer opportunities.
Social Media – CU Maurice River’s Facebook page is more active than ever! You can view videos, see pictures from outings, read volunteer stories, and much more. By following CUMR and liking our posts, you not only stay better connected but you also help us get more information out to more people in the community.
Address Changes - Please keep us posted about any changes in your email or mailing address. Our communications contain a helpful stream of reminders and updates that you won’t want to miss.
Membership and Renewals - Please help us by ensuring that your membership is up-to-date and/or invite a friend to join. Membership is set at $20 for individuals and $30 for families, although our average annual donation is approximately $75. Mail your check to PO Box 474, Millville, NJ 08332, or join online at www.cumauriceriver.org. If you are interested in learning more about the monthly giving program, please reach out to CitizensUnited@CUMauriceRiver.org, (856) 300-5331.
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A special thanks to all those who give
the equally important gift of your time.
We couldn’t do this without you!
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CONTACT US:
Membership and Special Events
Programs and Projects
Office Phone
(856) 300-5331
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STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION: |
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Jane Morton Galetto
Board President
Karla Rossini
Executive Director
Joe Moore
Program Coordinator
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Doreen Homan
Membership, Events, and Office Manager
Dave Scheffler
Community Engagement & Outdoor Discovery
Program Manager
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CU Maurice River is an Xspero participant.
Download the Xspero application on your smart phone and let 20% your gift card purchase go to CUMR!
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