Central Jersey Chapter Makes
Conservation Strides
By Marty Boa
Here in New Jersey we used to have a
substantial resident population of wild ring-necked pheasants. Now we do
not, however the Central Jersey Chapter of Pheasants Forever (CJCPF) is
doing something about that.
Several ongoing projects
for habitat improvement are showing good results thanks to the dedicated
work of CJCPF members and other citizens who are contributing to the
overall success of the works in progress. The projects involve the
rehabilitation of certain pieces of available land in order to foster the
growth of vegetation suitable for the development of pheasants and
numerous other wildlife species.
CJCPF president Richard
Toaldo, Seaside Park, reported on progress at the Stickney Farm in
Readington Township, where 19.8 acres of warm season grasses were planted
in the spring of 2007. This is in addition to 17.8 acres that were planted
with the same types of grass species in 2006. The grass crop on the latter
section is well established and flourishing in full bloom according to
Evan Madlinger, a soil conservationist with the United States Department
of Agriculture’s National Resources Conservation Service and Tim Dunne, a
research conservationist also with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
The
Stickney plantings were done by local agriculturalist, John DiGeronomo,
who used a Truax drill seeder. The Truax drill seeder is a unique piece of
farm machinery that enables tiny seeds to be planted at the correct depth.
Before the actual planting operation
took place a “Demo Day” was held at the Stickney Farm so that various
farmers from the surrounding area could view the Truax drill seeder in
operation. In addition to the farmers, Toaldo and CJCPF habitat co-chair
Bob Perlin, Manalapan, and Jim Horvath, a Readington Township resident and
volunteer
attended the event.
This past summer Toaldo
and CJCPF habitat co-chair Ken Sass, Bordentown, met with Clinton Township
(Hunterdon County) official John Sladica and local farmer Scott Ender and
set plans to plant warm season grasses on a 40-acre parcel in Clinton
Township.
The establishment of warm season
grasses including Big Blue Stem is an important component of pheasant
habitat and a key part of improvement programs.
A separate, independent
CJCPF project at the Stanton Ridge Golf Club, Whitehouse Station, is also
progressing well. Here a cooperative effort between CJCPF and Stanton
Ridge Golf Club has seen warm season grasses and sorghum that were planted
in 2006 now well established in 2007.
Adult pheasants were
released at Stanton Ridge in 2006 and a hen pheasant with her brood of
four or five chicks were spotted during the summer of 2007. Additional
adult birds were also released this past spring.
All indicators point to
the fact that CJCPF efforts are progressing with great success and that we
may well see the return of Mr. Rooster in the not too distant future.
The projects undertaken
by CJCPF are important in that they enhance
habitat and thereby promote healthy
wildlife populations. The chapter needs support in the form of additional
manpower and donations. New members are welcome.
This fall the CJCPF Youth
Program will be held in conjunction with the New Jersey Division of Fish
and Wildlife Youth Day Pheasant Hunt on November 3, 2007 at the Assunpink
Wildlife Management Area, Robbinsville..
Contact Clem Tennaro, chairman of the
CJCPF Youth Hunter Education Program at 732-740-1269 for program details.
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