General Motors provides NJCF with a full-time volunteer

After 27 years getting new cars on the road on an assembly line at General Motors, Tom Palchanes always knew one day he would have a new career. He just never expected he would be trying to keep vehicles off the road.

Volunteer, Tom Palchanes

"It is ironic that one of my main responsibilities at NJCF is to keep off-road vehicles off our property at the Franklin Parker Preserve," said Palchanes, a full-time volunteer in the Pine Barrens.

Palchanes started volunteering for NJCF through the General Motors JOBS Bank program. Some workers who lost their jobs when General Motor's Linden plant eliminated its second shift were given the option of doing volunteer work for nonprofit organizations while they collected a severance package. The 46-year-old Pemberton resident contacted NJCF about putting his skills to work in the Pine Barrens.

"I had known about NJCF and I am very conservation-minded so it seemed like a good fit," said Palchanes. "I absolutely love being a volunteer. I have an interest in land preservation and I enjoy the outdoors, especially fishing."

One of the challenges of maintaining conservation properties like the Franklin Parker Preserve is keeping out off-road vehicles and preventing damage to valuable plant and wildlife habitat. One of Palchanes' projects has been putting up barriers and fencing to keep the vehicles off the property.

"Tom is a great asset to NJCF and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to have Tom help out with our projects in the Pine Barrens," said Tim Morris, NJCF Assistant Director of Stewardship. "It is a rare opportunity to have a full-time volunteer and we appreciate his help, particularly with the off-road vehicle issue. NJCF is not against off-road vehicles, but they need to stay in areas where they are permitted, such as the off-road vehicle park in Chatsworth that is a short distance from the Franklin Parker Preserve."

Palchanes has been assisting with multiple stewardship projects including maintaining wildlife habitat and cleaning-up illegal dumping, another significant problem on preserves around the state. "I definitely have had some unique experiences at the preserve," he said. "I have seen many different kinds of snakes and birds—that's something completely new to me."

Palchanes and his wife, Nancy Jane, are looking forward to yet another career in the not too distant future as well. They own a fishing boat and offer charter services through their website, nanseajfishing.com. "That's our retirement plan," he said.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact NJCF at 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728) or info@njconservation.org.