WNJ Exclusive: Volunteers Sought for Skeetkill Creek Marsh Cleanup
Photo Credit: NJ Meadowlands Commission
Skeetkill Creek Marsh Clean-Up
Saturday, November 19, 2011
10:00 a.m. – noon
Pleasantview Terrace, Ridgefield
RSVP, More Information and Directions – Debbie Lawlor 201-777-2410
Directions: From Starbucks on Rt. 17 North in East Rutherford - Take Rt. 17 North to Rt. 46 East (ramp on left). Pass Little Ferry circle and continue east on Rt. 46 passing Hampton Inn on the right and Overpeck Creek Bridge. Within 1/4 mile will be Grand Avenue exit. Take exit and bear right at the light onto Grand Avenue. Travel south about 1 mile to the Ridgefield Circle (Dairy Queen will be on left, Chase Bank on right). After light, bear right to Hendricks Causeway. Go through stop sign and make the first quick right to Church Street (passing old church on left). Make first right onto Edgewater Avenue and then another right onto Railroad Avenue. Travel south along RR tracks for 1/2 mile. Make first right onto Pleasantview Terrace. Skeetkill Marsh will be on the left. Park on the south side of the street. If you want to use a GPS, enter 1125 Pleasantview Terrace, Ridgefield. This is Genzyme which is located across the street from Skeetkill Marsh.
Skeetkill Creek Marsh Information:
The 16-acre site was acquired for preservation by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) in 1996. The NJMC has since transferred the deed and ownership of Skeetkill Creek Marsh to the Meadowlands Conservation Trust. The Trust's mission is to preserve, protect and enhance environmentally sensitive lands in the Meadowlands region and the Hackensack River watershed.
The Skeetkill Creek Marsh sits along Bellman’s Creek. It is adjacent to an industrial section of Ridgefield. Prior to enhancement work the Common Reed (Phragmites australis) was the predominant vegetation, forming a dense monoculture throughout the wetlands portion of the property. A number of open water channels drained into Skeetkill Creek and at the Spring high tide the majority of the wetlands area was inundated. The dense cover of Phragmites limited the suitability of the site for most wildlife species.
The NJMC’s restoration project at Skeetkill Creek Marsh was completed in 1998 and included the management of Phragmites, increasing the available open water habitat and the creation of scrub-shrub habitats along the marsh uplands. Excavation of several shallow pools has provided open water habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife. There is a small park on-site for the public to enjoy including benches and an informational kiosk. The Conservation Trust maintains the site for both wildlife habitat and the public.
Categories: WNJ Exclusives
Tags: Volunteers skeetkill creek marsh Meadowlands Conservation Trust Ridgefield marsh
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