Meeting Wednesday, September 12, 2001
Wheaton Village Crafts Building, Millville 7:30 p.m.
You’re Invited!
The premiere for our second NJN documentary Bayshore Artists – Celebrating Our Sense of Place is scheduled for Friday, October 26, 2001 at 7:30 pm at Cumberland County College, Frank Guaracini, Jr., Fine & Performing Arts Center, so mark your calendars and keep an eye open for your invitation. Congressman LoBiondo has once again graciously agreed to be the Master of Ceremonies. Reservations are required. Please RSVP to Gladis McGraw (856)-327-1161, by Wednesday, October 17, 2001.
Fantastic Response
We have had a wonderful response to our annual appeal. Thus far over half the respondents have increased their annual donation. Could the less-than-ordinary letter have had that positive an effect? If you haven’t yet made your annual donation please do: CU, PO Box 474, Millville, NJ 08332. Any questions? Please call Jane at 856-327-1161.
Website Update
Our teachers’ curriculum: Celebrating Our Sense of Place is up and running on the website! It looks super and offers teachers many more interactive possibilities than the printed version. We are grateful for the grant from the National Park Service’s, Wild and Scenic River Program that funded the lion’s share of of the monies needed for posting this teachers’ guide on line. It can be accessed through our main website at www.cumauriceriver.org.
Conservation Organizations & Congressman LoBiondo tour Maurice River
August 29, 2001
Citizens United organized a conservation river tour/ conference covering important conservation initiatives. Representatives from key agencies and organizations will attend along with Congressman Frank LoBiondo. A special thanks to our NJ Marine Fisheries Division of Fish and Wildlife for providing a craft and update of fisheries resources.
Vineland Sells Property-
The Nature Conservancy Expands Willow Grove Lake Preserve
Week of July 2
Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. President Jane Morton Galetto announced that Vineland and The Nature Conservancy have finalized the sale of the Weymouth Rd. property in Vineland. The City had originally planned to expand its industrial park to a tract of land south of Weymouth Rd., between route 55 and the east bank of the Maurice River. This expansion would have impacted on the Maurice River greenway, which CU has sought to maintain. After a great deal of advocacy by environmental organizations the property was finally added to the adjacent tract that is already preserved by TNC. The Nature Conservancy’s Bayshore office continues to protect precious local lands along the River. Special recognition should be extended to previous City Council President Bob Olivio who shared in this advocacy. Bob’s steadfast support was bolstered by other past members of City Council and Mayor Campanella. Jay Laubengeyer, Director of TNC’s NJ Delaware Bayshores Program, wrote us, “We are extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Citizens United and others, like the Vineland Nature Club, to protect this critical tract of land. The acquisition of the 458 acre tract from the City of Vineland not only expands the Conservancy’s Willow Grove Lake Preserve, but helps to complete a regional greenway along the upper Maurice River.” We would like to think the 4th of July fireworks were offered in part to celebrate the voice of democracy in action. Advocacy and education continue to be Citizens United’s best preservation tools.
2001 Purple Martin Banding Summary
by member Allen Jackson
This year I observed what I believe to be the results of improved martin management practices the past two seasons – additional colonies, larger colonies, better management, more martins fledged. 2,159 martins were banded in 7 counties throughout the State. Tim Shaheen, a martin mentor in Monmouth County, received his banding permit, helped me band this season, and will assume banding responsibilities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Next year my permit should be amended to include using colored leg bands. This will complement the research studies that the Purple Martin Conservation Association is conducting in adjacent states.
Six band returns were identified (recaptures) from previously banded birds. While 5 were banded at and returned to the same site, 1 bird was banded in Cape May July 2000 and joined my colony in Millville this year, 50 miles away. You need to use binoculars to see the band and a spotting scope (40 to 45 power) and lots of time and patience to read the band number.
Expect even better results next year as many new landlords are added to our ranks each year.