First sign of spring in the watershed

Skunk cabbage, perhaps the first harbinger of spring, pokes through the snow in boggy places all over the Navesink watershed every February.  These plants are adapted to cold conditions and have one of the longest growing seasons of the native perrenials.  The small purplish leathery swirl will transform into the familar large green fan-shaped leafed plant of the boggy of the forest and shaded stream peripheries.  The plants in this picture were photographed near the Nut Swamp Brook on February 17, 2013.

Nut Swamp Brook Cleanup (Sunnyside Rec Area)

After two snowed out tries the Nut Swamp Brook cleanup Phase One finally took place on February 17, 2013.  Thanks to the Monmouth County Park System for permitting us to hold the event at the Sunnyside Recreation Area and thanks to the Park Service's volunteer coordinator Melissa Kelly for getting the word out.  As always special thanks to Monmouth Clean Communities and John Minton for providing bags, equipment and for hauling the collected debris away.

All toll an estimated 1,500 lbs. of debris including many big tires and over 100 lbs. of dangerous to handle smashed window glass were removed.  Our volunteers were Cory Pasmowitz, Sue Pasmowitz, Josephine Gruber, Bill Murphy, Gerry Lingner, Chris Creighton, Jose Villagran, Renie Low, Sam Sugarman and Bonnie Sugarman.  THANK YOU ALL!!

                                             Happiness is a clean park and a clean watershed!

                                          It took 58 cleanups to find our first motorcycle!

                                          Window glass is particularly difficult to collect safely

                                         The family that cleans together......

                                            The fruits of three hours of hard work.

 

NSRG Plans Nut Swamp Creek Cleanup Feb 3

Thompson Park Reservoir Loop Oct. 7, 2012

It rained a bit, but our cleanup was a success.  Trash removed was either from the old farm days, or bottles, tires and other items that floated up from the reservoir.  It's great to know that we won't be drinking these old tires as they degrade - thanks Laura Bagwell and Jeff King.  Volunteer Jim Gault found the kitchen sink too.  The Park Rangers were very accommodating and even hauled back some items in their truck.  Of course John Minton from Monmouth County Clean Communities was there with cleaning supplies and to properly dispose of the estimated 750 lbs. of trash. 

Next Cleanup Oct. 7 at Thompson Park

Navesink Cleanup Sept. 16, 2012

NSRG thanks all who participated in the Sept. 16 2012 on the water cleanup of the Navesink River.  Most of the trash removed was from along the Hartshorne shoreline.  NSRG had been in the Rumson area in June and cleaned up some of the sedge islands near the municipal boat launch.  There were reports at that time that the far shore by Hartshorne park was littered with floatables including foam floats, boat bumpers, plastic containers, bottles, rope, etc.  Special thanks to Ron Baruzzi for captaining his motor boat, which made the long distance cleanup possible.  Also special thanks to John Minton from the Monmouth County Clean Communities for helping out and taking care of proper disposal of the collected trash.  The Borough of Rumson was also very helpful and Jamie Mellish, Rumson's Recycling Coordinator, worked our approvals and was on hand all day to make sure everything went well.  Also, must give extra special thanks to Rosemary Bagwell for taking care of things on shore.

The weather was fine and our kayak and canoers had plenty of company on the water.  Our participants were: DJ Johnson (Sea Scout), Frank Davis (Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association), Jeff King, Laura Bagwell, Ron Baruzzi, Carla Fiscills, Charlotte Langweld, Nancy Miller, Linda & Steve Ambruzs, Rosemary Bagwell, Barbara Johnson, John Minton and Jamie Mellish.

Thank you all!

Jerry Keelen
NSRG Cleanup Coordinator

NSRG on the Navesink at Rumson 9/16/12