By Parisa Burton
Nation & World Editor
Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and the Outdoor Equity Alliance have partnered with the College to develop student empowered campus conservation plans. Kaitlin Muccio, FoHVOS land steward, and four student interns delivered a presentation detailing these plans on Feb. 21.
The presentation touched on the importance of land conservation, summarized steward and student-conducted field research, and concluded with four proposals and student recommendations.
FoHVOS, in partnership with OEA was awarded a grant from the New Jersey Audubon’s Watershed Restoration and Community Empowerment Program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, to support the student internships and development of the plan, which has an estimated completion of 10 years.
“An overarching goal is to pilot a possible model for bringing conservation to college and university campuses in a way that prioritizes the student body participation,” Muccio said.
The first recommendation introduced the idea of implementing a white-tailed deer management program, coupled with the second proposal to perform invasive species control.
Using Geographic Information System data, the partners worked to identify habitat types and invasive species abundance on campus to determine land patches to prioritize for stewardship efforts. They identified 48 invasive species, with 67% designated as “severe.”
The dominance of invasive species on campus prevents native plants from thriving, which many wildlife rely on for food.
“With deer eating everything at browse level, native plants fail to thrive, which eliminates essential biodiversity,” Muccio said.
The first recommendation involves reducing deer density to below 20 deer per square mile using NJDEP’s Fish and Wildlife’s community-based deer management program, which offers alternatives to traditional hunting.
The second proposal focuses on implementing a strategic control plan for invasive species. This includes eradicating 25 emerging invasive species classified under Action Code 1 (limited distribution and highly threatening) and strategically targeting highly threatening species with widespread distribution classified as Action Code 2, such as autumn olive, burning bush and multiflora rose.
During fieldwork, the partners identified 118 native plant species and five endangered bird species, one being the state-threatened American Kestrel.
The third recommendation is to restore and protect older forest, meadows, wildlife corridors and waterbodies. Muccio highlighted the importance of older forests for carbon storage and water filtration, while wildlife corridors ensure safe animal passage between habitats. Additionally, converting lawn areas into native meadows or shrub islands will increase biodiversity, support pollinators and beautify the campus.
This initiative also involves restoring and protecting key water bodies on campus, such as Lake Ceva, Lake Sylva and Shabakunk Creek.
The final recommendation is to encourage community land stewardship, research and exploration on campus and in the local Ewing community. This includes long-term stewardship efforts by students and staff, such as invasive species management, GIS mapping, planting assistance and maintaining deer enclosure fencing.
“Some student sustainability initiatives that our TCNJ interns proposed include the creation of a TCNJ hiking trail, promoting herbal medicine through native gardens, organized days of services and outdoor student art installations,” Muccio said.
When audience members were asked what on campus would excite them, their responses included shade trees, birds, butterflies, flowers, insects and bumblebees.
In order to create a vibrant campus environment full of beautiful biodiversity, supporting conservation efforts is essential.
As detailed in the presentation, common misconceptions are that “nature will manage itself” and “we really shouldn’t intervene.” However, human actions have both direct and indirect consequences on natural lands. Examples include habitat loss or fragmentation from land development, soil degradation and loss of biodiversity due to the introduction of invasive plants.
“We have an obligation to intervene and promote ecological health and avoid further loss to biodiversity,” Muccio said. “The natural areas of TCNJ not only support plants and wildlife, but are also vital in providing areas of respite and recreation for the TCNJ community to enjoy.”
