Category Archives: Uncategorized

Take Action: Comment on “Outside, Together”

Take Action Today! The state recently released “Outside, Together”, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).  This effort is separate from the survey that was releases last fall and the plan to develop a new map or a permit system.  That being said the state is asking for feedback and we should take this opportunity to voice our values on responsible motorized recreation.  Please follow the link to review the document and submit your comment.  We have read the document and included some suggested talking points that you can use.   Please take 5 minutes to click the link and copy and paste the test below or write your own feedback.  

Let’s get started!


Step One- (Optional) Review the “Outside, Together” information

Review the Outside, Together Webpage:

https://dep.nj.gov/outside-together/

Step Two – Submit Your Concerns

1) Write your own comments or copy and paste the suggested comments below:

I support Principle 1, “Expanding high-quality open space and recreational opportunities for all New Jersey residents and visitors” as it pertains to New Jersey’s forests.

The roads in our forests, and Wharton State forest in particular, have been important to the citizens of NJ dating back to the Revolution. Wharton is a 120,000 acres and any sort of recreation in the interior of Wharton requires road access. This access is especially important for those with children, the elderly, and the handicapped. We have experienced the beauty of our forests and we want our children and  grandchildren to be able to have the same experiences we have had. I am against any effort to restrict motorized access to the roads in our state forests.

I am concerned about Principle 6, “Continuing commitments to stewardship and the conservation and restoration of biodiversity”

While I support protecting our resources from abuse, I’m concerned about the goal regarding the “removal of abandoned roads and trails”. Who is to say that a road or trail is “abandoned” and what will the definition of “abandoned” be? I am against the closure of any road or trail identified on the 1997 USGS Topographical maps, as this the most comprehensive baseline of roads known to exist for New Jersey.

2) Click on the link to submit your comments:

https://dep.nj.gov/outside-together/comment/

Contact Your Representatives

Concerned about new permits and roads being closed? So are we. Let’s ask our elected officials to help! We created this page to help you with finding and contacting your elected representatives. (Governor, State Senators, Mayors and the DEP) If we don’t ALL act, we shouldn’t be surprised by the results. Post below to let us know you contacted them. We have 6,000 followers, we need to see 6,000 comments!

Wharton Usage Survey Released

The Wharton usage survey has been released! There are only 30 days to submit your input (Closes 10/28). PLEASE take your time and be as detailed as possible with your submission. Important Tips:

Mark as many locations as possible but DO NOT just “circle the whole map”

Do you record your tracks in a GPS app? Submit it with your survey!

Don’t want to use a computer or know someone who is not tech savvy? You can download a paper copy and mail in your survey (on the same page)

Tell everyone you know about this survey. Share this post, talk about it in your clubs. If you do not respond don’t be surprised by the results!

The survey closes 10/28!

Coming up next: OTNJ will begin a campaign and will release a web page with talking points and tools for contacting your representatives. It is time to get serious. Your legal access is at stake.

https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/wharton/

Recording of 9/27 Virtual Meeting has been posted

The recording of the stakeholder meeting has been released. If you have not seen this, you need to watch it and get ready to provide feedback within 30 days. In the coming days, OTNJ will provide some guidance and resources on how you can help. Keep an eye on our page for details. We also heard a lot of people had technical issues getting access to the meeting. If you had an issue getting into the meeting, let us know below.

ECO EGG HUNT – 4/15 Atsion Recreation Area

What a great way to for kids to spend the day on 4/15. . . in the outdoors.

Eco Egg Hunt Flyer
Click on graphic to open pdf in new window

Flyer says: Join us at Wharton State Forest’s Atsion Recreation Area for our first ever ECO EGG HUNT.

Children of all ages are encouraged to attend and enjoy the great outdoors. We are hosting a light litter clean up to EDUCATE youngsters about environmental stewardship, and along the way they might just find some candy egg SURPRISES.

Guided Nature Hikes and Atsion Mansion Tours will also be available to those interested.

So grab your baskets and your hiking shoes and come out to Wharton State Forest.

WHEN: April 15th at 10 am

WHERE: Atsion Recreation Area, 715 Route 206 in Shamong.

Save

Get Involved with OTNJ!

_DSC2650As you enjoy this spring like day, remember that spring is right around the corner and will be bringing with it more volunteer opportunities with OTNJ. We need your help! If you haven’t already,
please sign up to volunteer with us. You can contribute as much or as little as you like! Please click here for details and sign up today!

Click here!

 

 

Volunteer Activity at Double Trouble State Park

Date: January 23, 2016

Time: Tentatively 9:00 AM, temperature permitting.

Location: Double Trouble State Forest

The State Park Service asked OTNJ to pass along this important volunteer opportunity. Note: this is not the OTNJ activity we mentioned in an earlier post, more to follow on that as soon as it is approved.

There is a project in Double Trouble State Park to thin about 10 acres of forest. The purpose is to remove stunted Dog Hair Pine trees, which will allow the larger trees to flourish and to prevent the invasion of the Southern Pine Beetle in that area. About 100 volunteers are needed to cut down the small, pre identified, Dog Hair Pine trees with bow saws. What is cut down will be left in place and will be eventually burned in a prescribed fire rotation. With a 100 volunteers, at about 10 volunteers per acre, quick work could be made of this important project!

This is a great opportunity to show that this community wants to make a difference in helping our state forests!

We will post more specifics in this event as the date approaches. Feel free to share!

Note: exact time is TBD, 10:00 AM is an aproximation.