By Charlie Fineran

Hi Everyone:

Friday July 14^th 2023, 9:30am – This tour had been planned by Claire Arcaro, Chair of Allamuchy Twp. Green Team and member of the Allamuchy Twp. Environmental Commission.  Claire is also a member of the newly formed Warren County Environmental Advisory Committee. The purpose of the tour was to showcase and familiarize Warren County Deputy Director of Commissioners James R. Kern III with several projects being worked on in Allamuchy concerning sustainability and the environment, specifically our Native Wildflower Garden and wetlands gardens, all which serve as sustainable Educational, Recreational and Wildlife Habitat Friendly sites.  Members on the tour were Commissioner Kern, Mayor Tuohy, Claire Arcaro and Charlie Fineran, Director Open Space.

Site 1: Wetlands & Native Wildflower Garden between Firehouse and Playground.  The bottom of this detention basin was turned into a wetlands garden back in 2010.  Flowers from this project were also used in creating the wetlands swale at Mtn Villa School.  This site included a kiosk for information and a bench overlooking the site and also overlooking the panorama of Open Space.  FYI in 2012 a playground was opened adjacent to this site, offering our children a great place to play and ALSO a wonderful opportunity to view wildlife in this garden.  2013 a Nature Trail was created across the street from these sites.  A 1000 foot connector to the Lehigh & Hudson River RR rite-of-way. That trail has four kiosks for information and 4 benches in shade tying together and complimenting all these sites.  A second project was completed at this site a little over a year ago.  We received a grant from the Xerces Society for 700 two inch plugs to be planted along the sidewall.  This was headed by John Parke, then with the Audubon Society of NJ.  Thus this one site has actually two completely diverse gardens!!  With the completion of this site we have achieved some points/credits towards becoming recognized by Sustainable Jersey.  Our Township is also working on becoming a Certified Wildlife Township.

Site 2: YES, we did showcase this Community Garden on our tour, HOWEVER, we will classify this as a People Friendly Garden (Note we have gone to great lengths to keep wildlife out here!!  This is a 5,000 square foot octagon shape garden.  The shape being historically correct trying to replicate a garden that the Rutherfurd’s maintained at Rutherfurd Hall.

Site 3: This will become a future wildlife habitat when this White Oak gets bigger, right now we are protecting this seedling from wildlife.

Planting of a seedling from the Historic Salem White Oak

The NJ Forest Service Nursery’s ‘Salem Oak Tree Project’  “Although the historic Salem Oak Champion Tree has fallen, it’s seedlings will live on.  One seedling per Municipality.  Allamuchy Township submitted its application and then made arrangements to pick its seedling up at the NJ Forest Service Nursery in Andover. The following is describing how this tree will be used on the application ***Allamuchy Township’s Open Space Program & Environmental Commission will partner with Mountain Villa School to provide a safe site on school property where this seedling can grow in a safe and protected setting. This site will also be developed so that the public along with our students over the generations will have access and can observe this tree develop. Signage will be provided telling the Salem Oak’s Story and also the story of how the Rutherfurd Family loved importing and planting exotic trees on their 6,000 acre estate. We see this as a wonderful program celebrating Historical and Environmental lore for generations to come.*** 

Site 4: Shows the Outdoor Classroom created so that our students would be able to study and learn about the Great Outdoors – IN THE OUTDOORS.

Site 5: This swale was planted with wetlands plants from our original wetlands garden at the firehouse.

The tour continued into Panther Valley and showcased several other basins which have potential to be worked on and turned into gardens.  Also numerous private yards were shown, showcasing the efforts of the owners to enhance their property into Certified Wildlife Habitats. Quite an amazing segment of the tour, depicting how a little thought out effort, can create, a beautiful, interesting and dynamic site, which is also a home to various wildlife.

Returning to Allamuchy Townhall it was obvious that ALL were impressed with the intentions and outcomes of the projects, scope of work and the knowledge gained, on just how much aid, in grants and support is out there and available through so many wonderful groups. I believe this tour has given Commissioner Kern and all attending some ideas and concepts to review and work into some of Ours and the County’s Projects concerning Open Space, Environmental Education and Sustainable Projects!!

I would like to Thank Claire Arcaro for an excellent tour!!  AND THANK YOU Commissioner Kern & Mayor Tuohy for attending and your continued support for Open Space, The Environment and our Historical Sites.

OBSERVATION:  While this tour was centered around Allamuchy Township please keep in mind, the subject matter reviewed is relevant no matter where you live!!  The Habitats and Environment may differ, the plants and wildlife may be different, BUT, the overall Scheme of the Natural has the same interwoven threads making it work.

ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE:  Allamuchy Township is working on becoming a Certified Wildlife Habitat Township, there are only 5-6 in New Jersey.  We need 150 points we have over 100.  Those of you living in Allamuchy Township – Please go to gardenforwildlife.com and when in that site look up “Certify Your Habitat to Help Wildlife!  Follow the instructions and when you register your yard or property we will receive 1 point. THANK YOU.

Enjoy Your Open Space,

Charlie Fineran
Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President