Primary Authors: Nicholas Marchese, John McDonnell
Subject Matter:
SJTA established a 62 acre grassland management area for the endangered upland sandpiper and grasshopper sparrow. Invasive plants are to be removed and native wildflowers will be planted.
Expressway native Wildflower planting and bird and bat nesting box installations have been providing pollinator habitat throughout the roadway. University students use GIS technology to locate, maintain and track the success of the areas. Wildflowers provide soil stabilization and limit pollution runoff into streams and rivers to lessen flooding risk.
READI supports wildlife culvert crossings and wildlife fencing along sensitive areas of the roadway to assist with animal migration. With the support of the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife (NJF&W), Connecting Habitats Across New Jersey (CHANJ) and Stockton University internship program, cameras were installed and important photographic data are collected and entered into a data base.
READI reaches out to area elementary schools with a program designed to present ideas and methods that the children can perform to encourage environmental stewardship in their own lives. A native tree and butterfly box is installed with the students involvement.
Format: Podium Presentation