Contact:

SANDY PERRY, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
PHONE: 908-234-1225, EXT. 104
SANDY@NJCONSERVATION.ORG

Learn to map your community's green space

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FAR HILLS, NJ, Feb. 7, 2007 – Did you ever wonder where the nearest trails and nature preserves are to your home? Do you want to know which pieces of property in your community are preserved or should be preserved as open space?

If you’re interested in seeing “the big picture” through a powerful computer mapping tool, join the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, 170 Longview Road, Chester Township, for a free interactive workshop. The workshop, “Mapping your Community,” is part of NJCF’s popular Walks & Talks series.

“This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about the natural treasures of their community,” explained Laura Szwak, Director of Statewide Greenways at NJCF, who will lead the program. “What we want people to get out of this is an understanding of why you preserve land, and which pieces are the most important to preserve.”

The workshop will allow participants to discover the natural features of their communities through Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a powerful computer map-making tool, and the Garden State Greenways website. Everyone who registers by Tuesday, Feb. 19, will get a customized map of their community.

According to Tanya Nolte, NJCF’s mapping manager and workshop co-leader, participants will be able to see how GIS can be used to produce maps showing features like forests, wetlands, farmland, trails and parks.

“By projecting these features onto a map, we can see where the gaps are,” Nolte said. “Maps are great tools for showing communities where to connect natural resources through greenways and trails. Participants will learn how to use the online Garden State Greenways interactive GIS map, and will then be able to create their own maps at home."

The event is free, but pre-registration is required by calling Lauren Ramos at 908-234-1225 or sending an e-mail to Lauren@njconservation.org. Be sure to specify your town and county so a custom map can be prepared. For more information about other Walks & Talks programs, visit the NJCF website at www.njconservation.org.

The Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center is located in Chester Township, a short distance off Route 206. From Route 206, turn west onto Pottersville Road at traffic light (left turn for northbound traffic, right turn for southbound). Go for about ½ mile and make first right onto Lisk Hill Road. Follow Lisk Hill for about 1/10 mile to stop sign at T-intersection. Turn right onto Union Grove Road, then continue for 3/10 mile to Y-intersection. Bear left at Y-intersection onto Longview Road and proceed for about one mile. Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center is on the left, with a large gravel parking lot uphill of the main building.