Contact:

STEPHANIE MONAHAN

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & OUTREACH

PHONE: 908-234-1225, EXT. 106

STEPHANIE@NJCONSERVATION.ORG

FIRST ANNUAL APSHAWA PRESERVE HIKE

Celebrate National Trails Day with New Jersey Conservation Foundation and
the County of Passaic

WEST MILFORD, NJ, May 22, 2007 – On June 2 beginning at 10:00am, enjoy a guided hike with experienced naturalists at this beautiful 576-acre preserve! Choose from one of three walks:
-Easy walk – appropriate for families with young children.
-Moderate walk – bring your own lunch and enjoy scenic views of the reservoir.
-Long hike – bring your own lunch and extra water and enjoy the rigorous and scenic terrain of the Preserve.

Hiking boots are necessary for the moderate and long hikes. This event will take place rain or shine – please dress appropriately. The Apshawa Preserve parking area is located in West Milford just off of Macopin Road on Northwood Road. For detailed directions/meeting spot and more information, please contact Lauren Ramos at 908-234-1225 x102 or lauren@njconservation.org.

The 576-acre Apshawa Preserve is a joint project of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) and the County of Passaic. Passaic County has owned the 501-acre Apshawa tract since 1973, but the land has not been available for public recreation due to limited access. Since 2002, NJCF has preserved 75 acres of adjacent land, opening the entire area for public recreation. A statewide leader in natural lands management, NJCF manages the entire 576-acre Apshawa Preserve. With the assistance of dedicated volunteers and funding through the National Recreational Trails Program, NJCF has created a 6.8-mile trail system, and has developed a parking area and trail map to facilitate the public’s use of the property. NJCF has also developed a preserve management plan and organized volunteers to clean up trash and assist with other stewardship activities.

The Apshawa Preserve contains some of the state’s finest intact northern hardwood forest. It is home to a great diversity of wildlife including red-shouldered hawk, barred owl, and northern species such as yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Exploring the preserve’s beautiful lakeshore, visitors may find wood ducks or flocks of migrating songbirds. The Apshawa Preserve offers visitors a near-wilderness experience in close proximity to suburban New Jersey.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a non-profit organization that relies on private philanthropic support. Through acquisition and stewardship, NJCF protects strategic lands, promotes strong land use policies, and forges partnerships to achieve conservation goals. Since 1960, NJCF has protected over 100,000 acres of open space – from the Highlands to the Pine Barrens to the Delaware Bayshore, permanently protecting forests, farmland and natural resources, all vital to New Jersey’s future. For more information on saving New Jersey’s precious natural areas and natural resources, contact the New Jersey Conservation Foundation at 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728) or visit our website at www.njconservation.org.