In November, the Greater Princeton Branch of AYLUS (GPA) conservation team joined the communities for the Forest Restoration events at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton.
GPA members met at the Mountain Lake House Parking lot, 57 Mountain Ave, Princeton, NJ and then walked over to the project site as a group.
GPA members joined the Natural Resources and Stewardship Director, Anna Corichi, to plant 5,000+ herbaceous plugs in the Forest Restoration site. Volunteers worked under the guidance to identify and remove target invasive species from the northern bank of Mountain Lake using pruners, loppers, and handsaws. Riparian areas play an important role in improving water quality by slowing down stormwater and filtering out pollutants before they enter the water system. Riparian areas also provide critical habitat for birds, insects, and aquatic life. We will work from the green trail towards the water-opening up the lake view!
Our work will prepare the site for future plantings as well as allow for existing native species including red oaks, sweet gum, and dogwoods to thrive.
Participants (11/6, 3 hrs): Zhihan Zhang, Lan Cheng; Sophie Huang, Vivien Yang, Kevin Zhao, Jennifer Dong, Ruofei Mao, Mingze Emma Feng, Cosner Yang, Sophia Feng, Michael Feng, Perry Chang, Annie Miao, Catherine Feng, Cici Yang, Daniel Chan, Cynthia Jinghui Huang, and Gina Shen.