Highland Park Environment

On the Home Page under More on This Website are two new resource documents:

Native Plants in HP Gardens – the document is a listing of the Latin and common names of the native plants found in Highland Park gardens. The Highland Park authors are listed on bottom of the document, which was compiled in April 2010.

HP Natural Resources Inventory 1992 – A Natural Resources Inventory compiles information on natural, historical and cultural resources of a community. It includes text, maps, photos, and diagrams. Once assembled, an NRI become the basis for land use planning that allows better decisions on protecting the environment. NRI’s allow Environmental Commissions and Open Space Committees to play a significant role in municipal master planning, ordinance development, and site plan review. NRI’s are utilized by Planning and Zoning Boards, departments of municipal government, and the public.

Although the 1992 NRI  is somewhat dated, it continues to provide significant information on the  geology, soils, streams, and other natural features of Highland Park. It also contains information of wildlife and native plant species, and historical, cultural, and recreational information.

In March 2010, the Environmental Commission/Borough of HP applied for a grant to develop an updated state of the art NRI, which fully utilizes GIS technology.

Pear Tree with Cones - Click on picture to enlarge

Cone on Pair Tree - Click Picture to Enlarge

There is a small mystery in the Highland Park Meadows (by the Southside Bikeway and adjacent to DPW on Valentine Street). On the Meadow trail going east (start at the trailhead and take the first left) is a Pear Tree with cones. Actually, these are pine cones that have been attached with string. Is this just decoration of the pear tree? Is this for birds to feed on seeds in the cone? If you know about this, send us a message. Hit “Contact Us” on the home page and send us a message.

Come enjoy the spring weather and pitch in to help out our community at the Native Plant Reserve, a site owned by the Borough of Highland Park.

This event is co-sponsored with AAEC (Ahavas Achim Environmental Committee).

When Sunday May 16th 10:00AM – Noon
Where Native Plant Reserve, River Rd. across from Harrison Ave.
Who All ages. All must sign a waiver to participate.
What Bring drinks and a snack.
Wear long pants, closed shoes, long sleeves and work gloves

The Earth Day Extravaganza and Health Fair takes place at the Highland Park High School and Gym on April 22, 6:00-9:00 PM.

Please bring a food donation for the Food Pantry.

Juvenile Osprey in the process of being banded. Photos by George Pitcher (6/25/09)

Better view of juvenile osprey

Local Highland Park resident George Pitcher participated in the banding of two juvenile ospreys at a tidal marsh in Cheesequake, NJ and took the above pictures. The birds were approximately 3-4 months old and were expected to fledge (begin flying) in two weeks. Volunteers and wildlife officials banded the birds, which were sitting on the nesting platform. They used a ladder to remove the birds from the platform, banded them, and then replaced them on the nest.  The juveniles ospreys did not appear stressed by the process and the circling osprey parents did not attack the volunteers. The banding is part of a federal/state program to track these previously endangered birds.

During the summer, ospreys can frequently be seen soaring above the Raritan River. They hover and then dive into the river for fish. They are frequently seen above the river.  Donaldson Park and Johnson Park are good places to observe them.

Link to Wikipedia Article on Osprey