Hatch A Hundred Info Session FoHVOS has the most successful kestrel nesting program in the state and has partnered with Wild Bird Research Group to expand upon this success. Beginning in 2025, we're working together to attempt a never-attempted goal: hatch 100 kestrel chicks in the Hopewell Valley area. To do this, we need our...
Christmas Bird Count 2024 This December, the National Audubon Society is organizing its 125th Christmas Bird Count. Bird enthusiasts around the country will be conducting local bird counts from Saturday, December 14, 2024 through Sunday, January 5, 2025. Counts occur within a 15 mile wide diameter circle. The nearest one to us is the Princeton Circle which...
Please join Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space on Sunday, February 16 at 9AM for the Great Backyard Bird Count at the Heritage Preserve on Reed Road. We will be helping to count birds to take a real time snapshot of birds in our area. Our list will help researchers learn about how birds are...
Vernal Pool Hike Join FoHVOS Land Steward Dana on Saturday, March 29th to visit vernal pools at Heritage Preserve. Vernal pools are important breeding habitat for amphibians like spring peepers, spotted salamanders and wood frogs. Unlike other bodies of water, vernal pools are temporary, usually drying up by mid-summer. On this guided hike, we plan...
Just Birds with Jack & Jenn Jack and Jenn started birding together over 10 years ago, and have since worked together on several bird conservation projects in central NJ. Beginning this spring, they are teaming up to host public bird walks at FoHVOS preserves. These interpretive bird walks are open to all, but especially geared...
Conference Schedule of Events 9 AM Check-In & Continental Breakfast 9:15 AM WelcomeMargaret Waldock, Executive Director Duke Farms 9:30 AM Assessing Deer Population Densities in Northern NJ Dr. Jay Kelly, Raritan Valley Community College 10:30 AM Break 11:00 AM Implementation of Invasive Weed Control Program: The Planning, Tools and Tricks to achieve successful outcomesDrew O’Neill, Weeds, Inc....
Spring Ephemeral Walk Join FoHVOS Land Steward Kaitlin Saturday April 19th for a hike at Woosamonsa Ridge where we will search for the beautiful, but short-lived, spring ephemerals! Spring ephemerals are woodland wildflowers that bloom in the brief window between snow melt and tree leaf-out. On this guided hike, we hope to spot species like...
Curlis Woods Walk and Talk FoHVOS's inaugural president Jack Gleeson was among the first to recognize the ecological importance of Curlis Lake Woods. For 32 years, the forest has been preserved from development and enjoyed by both hikers and wildlife. Curlis Woods has one of the largest mature stands of American beech in Central Jersey,...
Curlis Lake Woods has one of the largest mature stands of American beech in Central Jersey, but it is unfortunately threatened by the presence of beech leaf disease. To mitigate the anticipated loss of American beech in our forests, FoHVOS and Mercer County Parks Commission are hosting a community event to plant over 1,000 native...
When: Sunday May 4th, 9am-11:30am Where: Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain About: FoHVOS and Mercer County are hosting the Ted Stiles Memorial Hike at Baldpate Mountain. This community event was held annually in honor of former FoHVOS president Ted Stiles, whose vision and dedication helped direct the preservation of thousands of acres in Hopewell Valley,...
Just Birds with Jack & Jenn Jack and Jenn started birding together over 10 years ago, and have since worked together on several bird conservation projects in central NJ. Beginning this spring, they are teaming up to host public bird walks at FoHVOS preserves. These interpretive bird walks are open to all, but especially geared...
Just Birds with Jack & Jenn Jack and Jenn started birding together over 10 years ago, and have since worked together on several bird conservation projects in central NJ. Beginning this spring, they are teaming up to host public bird walks at FoHVOS preserves. These interpretive bird walks are open to all, but especially geared...
National Trails Day Hike In celebration of National Trails Day, FoHVOS is hosting a guided hike on Saturday June 7th. This hike will take place at Heritage Preserve and will be led by long-time FoHVOS volunteer Serge Goldstein. Join Serge as he points out the unique nature features and discusses the impact of the small...
About: The Strike Team is hosting a series of Private Land Workshops. Come and learn about the amazing stewardship efforts performed by local residents on their own properties! Our first workshop will be at a private residence in Hopewell that is a member of FoHVOS's Residential Community Conservation program. When: Saturday, June 28 10am-12pm Where:...
FoHVOS Annual Butterfly Count Please join us on Sunday, July 6th at our Marshalls Corner Preserve to help count butterflies. We will be walking the trail through the restored meadow and looking for these flying beauties as we go. Once we are done at Marshalls Corner, we will head over to Baldpate Mountain to search...
About: The Strike Team is hosting a series of Private Land Workshops. Come and learn about the amazing stewardship efforts performed by local residents on their own properties! Our second workshop will be at a private residence in Hopewell, showcasing another property part of FoHVOS's Residential Community Conservation program. When: Saturday, July 19 10am-12pm Where:...
About: The Strike Team is hosting a series of Private Land Workshops as part of our USFS grant. Come and learn about the amazing stewardship efforts performed by local residents on their own properties! Our final workshop will be at a private residence in Warren County. When: Saturday, September 13th 10am-12pm Where: Hardwick, NJ This...
When: Sunday September 14th3:00PM-4:00PM VIP Essential Experience4:00PM-7:00PM Annual Gala Where: Glenmoore Farm Food by JustFood CateringMusic by Clyde St. Clifford and the Omnidextrous Jazz Ensemble
Fall is in the air! Join the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team on October 11th for the Annual Potluck Social! Bring your favorite wild edible food recipes and spend time with colleagues, private landowners, hunters and stewardship volunteers from around the state. This event will be held at a private residence in Hopewell, NJ. Registration...
Hatch A Hundred Info Session American Kestrels, North America's smallest falcon, are facing a steep population decline due to habitat loss and other environmental challenges. These incredible birds depend on open grasslands and natural cavities for nesting, but these habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate. Hatch a Hundred is a community-driven effort to support...
Hatch A Hundred: Kestrel Nest Box-Building Workshop Start your Super Bowl weekend with a Kestrel Kickoff! Attend our nest box building workshop on February 7th from 1-3pm. This event is great for families looking for hands-on ways to help protect American kestrels. Kestrels rely on artificial cavities like nest boxes to rear their chicks. By...
This talk will introduce the basics of native bee ecology, and what you can do to protect and create bee habitat on your own land and within your communities. Register below for this free event! Please list number of attendees in the comments section. Olivia Matise is a Pollinator Conservation Specialist with The Xerces Society, and...
Curious about how your property can help support wildlife, protect clean water, and strengthen our region’s resilience? Join FoHVOS and discover how every property, no matter the size, contributes to the health of the Sourlands and the broader Central Jersey landscape. During this program, FoHVOS Conservation Biologist Kaitlin Muccio will introduce our new Ecological Priority Model,...
Vernal pools are important breeding habitat for amphibians like spring peepers, spotted salamanders and wood frogs. Unlike other bodies of water, vernal pools are temporary, usually drying up by mid-summer. On this guided hike, we plan to visit some vernal pool sites and see (and hear!) evidence of amphibian activity. We will also learn about...
Curious about how your property can help support wildlife, protect clean water, and strengthen our region’s resilience? Join FoHVOS, an accredited land trust in Hopewell, NJ, and discover how every property, no matter the size, contributes to the health of the Valley and the broader Central Jersey landscape. During this program, FoHVOS Conservation Biologist Kaitlin...
Conference Schedule of Events and CE Credits 9 AM Check-In & Continental Breakfast 9:15 AM WelcomeMercer County ParksJenn Rogers, FoHVOS Executive Director 9:30 AM The Increasingly Dynamic State of Forest Tree Communities in New Jersey HighlandsDr. Eric Wiener, Ramapo College of New Jersey 10:30 AM New Jersey's Battle Against Silty Pond MusselDr. Emile DeVito, New...
Join our Executive Director Jenn and local community scientist Jack, for a picturesque stroll and search for our colorful harbingers of spring at Mount Rose Preserve.
Join us on Saturday, April 18th for our first-ever Community Conservation Conference! This inspirational and educational half-day event is designed for homeowners and the public that are interested in and committed to at-home habitat restoration. Our keynote speaker, Doug Tallamy, is the founder of the Homegrown National Park movement, whose groundbreaking work has inspired thousands to...
Celebrate Earth Week with FoHVOS! Join Conservation Biologist Kaitlin Wednesday April 22nd for a hike at Baldpate Mountain where we will search for the beautiful, but short-lived, spring ephemerals! Spring ephemerals are woodland wildflowers that bloom in the brief window between snow melt and tree leaf-out. On this guided hike, we hope to spot species...
For nearly 20 years, birding the driveway of Baldpate has almost been its own rite of spring for our local nature enthusiasts. Join our Executive Director Jenn and local community scientist Jack, for a picturesque stroll and search for our colorful harbingers of spring, all the way to the summit of the mountain. In addition...
