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

Geologic Information

The Watchung Mountains

• Lenape “Wach Unks” or “high hills”

• Formed from magma intruding into the Newark basin 200 million years ago

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=28jJhuBxOq3JkM&tbnid=9C5YX5LUaZ9WOM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=https://newprovidencedailyphoto.wordpress.com/category/new-jersey/union-county/watchung-reservation-union-county/seeleys-pond/&ei=1jNIU4__GvHNsQSf34KwDQ&bvm=bv.64542518,d.dmQ&psig=AFQjCNGdnhuuJBhuB4i_9hbkWnKj_PmNrQ&ust=1397326823154736

Geologic Features

• Blue Brook watershed separates 1st and 2nd Watchung Mountains

• Lava Flows of Basalt are visible on our hikes• Look for rocks with veins of quartz exposed

Watershed Information

NJ Watersheds

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

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