Exploring Watchung Reservation: Geology, History, and Wildlife
Discover the wonders of Watchung Reservation in New Jersey, encompassing 2,000 wooded acres with a rich history, diverse geological features, and a range of recreational activities. Explore the Blue Brook watershed, learn about the formation of the Watchung Mountains, and engage in biological assessments to identify native and invasive species.
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Presentation Transcript
Watchung Reservation Geology, History, Land Use, Native and Invasive Species
What are we doing? Biological Assessment- stream bugs Visual Assessment Nature Hike to ID natives/invasives
Park Statistics 2,000 wooded acres Home of Trailside Nature Museum First nature center in NJ (Opened 1941) 26 miles of bridle trails (horses and people) 53 miles of hiking trails total Scout camping area Watchung Stables Ballfield, pavilions, and playgrounds
The Watchung Mountains http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/WatchungSubRanges.png/300px-WatchungSubRanges.png Lenape Wach Unks or high hills Formed from magma intruding into the Newark basin 200 million years ago
https://newprovidencedailyphoto.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/watchungmountains_01.jpghttps://newprovidencedailyphoto.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/watchungmountains_01.jpg
Geologic Features Blue Brook watershed separates 1stand 2nd Watchung Mountains Lava Flows of Basalt are visible on our hikes Look for rocks with veins of quartz exposed
Yellow Star = you will be here! We are assessing the BLUE BROOK, Which empties into the GREEN BROOK, Which empties into the LOWER RARITAN RIVER at Bound Brook, NJ. The Raritan River empties into Raritan Bay Raritan Bay is an extension of the Atlantic Ocean
Human History Lenni Lenape used to inhabit the region pre- European age Copper mining in the 1600s, but most mines never got more than 15 feet into the mountain Mill town Interstate 78 built 1980s
Village of Feltville Prosperous mill town from 1845-1860 Used the Blue Brook to power the printing factory (hydro power) Reborn as Glenside Park in 1882- a summer resort and vacation spot, but fell into disrepair Bought by Union County Parks in 1920
Land Use around Watchung Weldon Materials, Inc. - Quarry Concrete, Crushed Stone, and Asphalt Transportation: I-78, Rt. 22 Residential Watchung Borough, Scotch Plains, Mountainside, Summit, Springfield, New Providence Commercial- any store you can imagine on Rt. 22 (downstream of reservation)
I-78 Wildlife Corridor http://www.landarchs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/i-78-new-jersey-animal-bridge-wildlife-crossing-overpass.png
Report Due Dates Mon Tues Wed. Thurs. Fri. 28 29 30 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30 COLOR REPORT DUE 5/9 Native/Invasive PPT 5/16 Bio Assessment 5/30 Visual Assessment
Report Due Dates Friday 5/9, 3:00 PM- Native/Invasive PPT Friday 5/16, 3:00 PM- Bio Assessment Report Friday 5/30, 3:00 PM- Visual Assessment Report Will accept 1 day late with 25% penalty automatic >1 day late is a 0 Absent on Trip date? You will be given sample data to work from
Professionalism You can hand-write the assessment packets, but the reports you submit must look professional Sloppy assignments will result in 10% penalty Conclusion paragraphs for bio and visual reports must be TYPED
Other Field Trip Reminders Leave First block @ 8:15 AM, grab your stuff and meet in the main lobby Bus rolls out 8:45 Bring water and lunch/food- NO GLASS No rain date- be prepared! We will return @ 1:30. You will attend last block. Change of socks/shoes/clothes is a good idea
