A note about our planned prescribed burn at Cider Mill Grassland Preserve
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Fire is a stewardship tool used to manage habitats. Native Americans also utilized prescribed burns to reduce pests, increase grasses, and improve habitat for native plants and animals. A controlled prescribed burn is often used by conservation organizations throughout New Jersey to:Manage invasive plant speciesEncourage native plant growthEnrich soil nutrient availabilityReduce thatch from years of mowingManage insect populations (including ticks)
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What’s Next for Cider Mill?
The long-term plan for stewardship is to closely monitor the preserve for invasive plant species and to seed native, warm season grasses such as little bluestem. This will provide better forage for wildlife such as grassland birds, butterflies and moths. The 90-acre Cider Mill Grassland Preserve is part of the NJ Natural Heritage Program’s designated “Amwell Valley Grassland Macrosite” which totals approximately 1,593 acres and is a prime example of agricultural grasslands in New Jersey.
After the Burn
Cider Mill is open to the public after the burn! Come out and see how the landscape has changed. The ground will be charred and you might notice a smoky smell in the air. You may also see birds picking at exposed seeds and insects on the ground. Come back throughout the spring to witness how the grasslands regrow as our stewardship team plants wildlife-supporting native seeds and continues to treat invasive plants.
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| The ground is charred as the fire moves across the landscape. |
The Cider Mill Grassland Preserve is a 90-acre property in the heart of the agricultural landscape of the Amwell Valley. It slopes gently to the south, providing a view of the Sourland Mountain ridge. The Preserve is part of the NJ Natural Heritage Program’s designated “Amwell Valley Grassland Macrosite” which totals approximately 1,593 acres and is considered a prime example of agricultural grasslands in NJ.
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BACKGROUND
About D&R Greenway Land Trust: D&R Greenway Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of over 22,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey since 1989. By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations.
