The Weekly

January 25th, 2023

Fly Eagles Fly! On The Road to Victory in NJ

Fly Eagles Fly... On the road to victory! While the news looks good, let's not get too excited because there is still work ahead...

Wait, did you think I was writing about Philly football? Neh, this is a conservation newsletter about New Jersey.

America's National Bird -- The Bald Eagle, a raptor, is still on the NJ list for threatened species but has made great strides as shown in the video at right and story below. Success is due to a restoration program from NJ DEP’s Fish and Wildlife and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

Coincidentally, the same two organizations gave FoHVOS a grant 4 years ago to restore another threatened raptor -- the American Kestrel. Our Kestrel Project also met with tremendous success!

Thanks to participation by enthusiastic homeowners, eagles & kestrels found homes on both public and private lands.

In a story entitled, "Bald eagle population continues to rise in NJ," NJSpotlight reports that the Eagle population has doubled in New Jersey over the last decade. Video above.

Check out eagles and the interview from our friends at Duke Farms in the video.

Remembering Lou..

Lou Umscheid was with FOHVOS for our very first preservation -- Curlis Lake Woods in the 1980s. Many current Board trustees remember him fondly.

Lou was also a regular reader of The FoHVOS Weekly and would send me emails about these posts. Lou died January 14, 2023, after a brief COVID-related illness. His service is on Friday. Read More Here.

What's New?

New Jersey Bald Eagle Population Continues to Soar

new-jersey-bald-eagle-population-continues-to-climb-with-250-active-nests-identified-in-2022-2048x600 image

The bald eagle population in New Jersey continues to climb, according to the 2022 New Jersey Bald Eagle Project Report developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, with 250 active nests identified last year.

The 250 active nests (meaning the nests produced eggs) represent an increase of 28 active nests since 2021. Of those nests, 83 percent were successful and collectively produced 335 offspring. The productivity rate is above the range required to maintain healthy population numbers.

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Upcoming Events

Outdoor Equity Alliance

First Annual Meeting

Tuesday, January 31st at 7 PM at

Princeton Hydro - 35 Clark Street Suite 200, Trenton.

The Outdoor Equity Alliance (OEA) Board of Trustees hereby notifies its members and all others who support its mission and values of its annual meeting. Doors will open at 6:30. The purpose of the annual meeting is to elect members and officers of the Board of Trustees and to report on the 2022 OEA accomplishments, those planned for 2023, and the budget for 2023. Must register to receive parking code. For Agenda, click Learn More.

Learn More & Register Now!

NJ Native Plant Swap (Hopewell Township Environmental Commission)

Native Seed Sowing Party!

Saturday, January 28th at 1-3 PM. SOLD OUT

Winter is the time to get your native plants started! Save money, feel empowered, and get further connected with native plants by sharing time and space with experienced and budding native plant stewards.

With the help of Hopewell, NJ Native Plant Swap, Sourland Conservancy, FoHVOS, and supportive friends, a NATIVE plant seed sowing event will be hosted at a private residence in Pennington. Leave as proud native plants parent-to-be. No stress, no expectations from us, just interest and a place outside for your plants to germinate in the cold!

Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey

NOFA-NJ 33rd Annual Winter Conference

Saturday, January 28th from 8 AM-5:30 PM at

Rutgers University 100 George St, New Brunswick, NJ

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ) is excited to be returning to a live and in-person 33rd Annual Winter Conference!

FoHVOS and the OEA are proud partner organizations supporting their mission to grow organic agriculture and local food systems in New Jersey. 30+ Workshops on Farming, Gardening, Food Systems & More. Some presenters you may know includes:

Renata Barnes
Jess Niederer
Jared Rosenbaum
And many more!

NOFA-NJ Website

Clean Communities - Saturday, April 15th at 8am-12 PM

details coming soon

Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space

(609) 730-1560 | fohvos.org | info@fohvos.org

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