Rancocas Conservancy Trustees recently met to develop.the 2024-2025 strategic plan. Look for exciting new events and membership opportunities to come in land preservation, trail stewardship, communication, outreach and more.
Outdoor Club of South Jersey Visits Wurst Preserve
On February 1, sixteen members of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey visited Wurst Preserve on Tansborough Crowfoot Road in Medford Township, on a six mile hike that also included Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge and Girl Scout Camp Kettle Run. Due to recent rains, the trail at George’s Pond was beautiful but a little soggy. Still the intrepid hikers managed to bushwack successfully all the way around.
Hold this date! Rancocas Conservancy will be at Lines on the Pines 2024
Rancocas Conservancy will join the free indoor annual gathering of artists, authors, artisans and associations whose passion is the Pines on Sunday, March 10 from 11am to 4pm at Stockton University Campus Center. We will have information and giveaways for the whole family. And don’t forget the Pinelands Short Course the previous day, same place.
Rancocas Conservancy Welcomes 4 New Trustees
Steve Elliott is a resident of Evesham. He works at the Water Use Specialist for Pinelands Preservation Alliance and the Association of NJ Environmental Commissions.
A resident of Beach Haven, Richard W. Hunt, Esq. is Of Counsel to ParkerMcCay Law Firm, specializing in municipal law.
Curt Nissley from Berlin, currently serves as a building inspector and is an avid outdoorsman.
Joseph P. Wechselberger, originally from Tabernacle and now Browns Mills, is a retired financial professional and longtime Conservancy member.
Congratulations, gentlemen!
From left- Curt Nissley, Steve Elliott, Richard W. Hunt, Joseph P. Wechselberger
Annual Appeal 2023
Every year we ask our members and supporters to make a contribution to the preservation of land along the Rancocas and its tributaries. That time is now! Please give what you can either online at https://www.rancocasconservancy.org/take-action or by check to PO Box 2188, Vincentown, NJ 08088. Thank you for your continued generosity.
2023 Annual Dinner a Smashing Success
Over 50 supporters of Rancocas Conservancy enjoyed good company, good food and a good presentation at the Annual Dinner on Tuesday, October 14. The Bradford Estate rolled out the red carpet for us and historian Paul Schopp entertained and enlightened us with his talk on the history of transportation on the Rancocas. The trustees are pictured below.
New Gates at Bucks Cove Run
Two new gates to deter illegal vehicles traffic in Bucks Cove Run Preserve (adjacent to Whitesbog) have been installed by volunteers from the Conservancy, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, and Brendan Byrne State Forest. Thanks, fellas!
Time to RSVP
Please RSVP to contact@rancocasconservancy.org if you plan to attend. Check payable at the door to Rancocas Conservancy preferred.
Rancocas Conservancy and Outdoor Club of South Jersey Co-Sponsor Hike
On October 25, Rancocas Conservancy and the Outdoor Club of South Jersey co-sponsored a hike in New Lisbon along the Rancocas led by Dr. Mark Thomas, Conservancy co-founder and current vice president.
For the Benefit the Rancocas Conservancy
Rancocas Conservancy Annual Dinner Returns
Join us on Tuesday, November 14, 6pm at theBradford Estate on Marne Highway in Hainesport, across the street from our own South Branch Rancocas.
$60 per person gets you dinner, one drink ticket and a donation to the Conservancy (payable at the door.) We have a great speaker lined up and will announce when confirmed. Come and bring some friends.
Help Wanted- Clerical Support Worker, $20/hr.
Duties
Attend meetings of Board of Trustees and other events, as needed.
Take, transcribe, produce, distribute and archive accurate minutes.
Receive U.S. mail regarding Conservancy business, accurately route or answer as needed.
Maintain records of membership and donations, routing donations to board treasurer.
Do mass mailings for annual appeal and other business as needed.
Produce or assist in producing Conservancy promotional materials, as needed.
Submit time records, reimbursement requests, etc. to the treasurer in a timely fashion.
Job Requirements
Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, mail merge, etc.)
Skills, or the ability to learn specific skills, to support and administer shared file management platforms such as Google Drive.
Organizational skills with the ability to exercise sound judgement and work under minimum direct supervision.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
Good written and verbal communication skills
Valid driver’s license.
Required Education and Experience
A high school degree. Some college a plus.
Prior work with or knowledge of working with a Board of Trustees a plus.
Knowledge of environmental issues and the Rancocas Watershed a plus.
Hours
Up to 20 per month.
Pay
$20 hourly.
Please note that this is a 1099 independent contractor position. Assistant will be responsible of own taxes, etc.
Apply by Nov. 1, 2023 to contact@rancocasconservancy.org.
New Trustees
Rancocas Conservancy welcomes its two new trustees, Emile DeVito, Ph.D., and Mark Shepherd Thomas, M.D. Dr. DeVito is the Manager of Science and Stewardship for the New Jersey Conservation Organization. Dr. Thomas co-founded Rancocas Conservancy in 1989 and is the owner of Rancocas Institute LLC (pictured below.)
Rare Butterfly Sighting
Rare butterfly Northern Pearly Eye sighted at Rancocas Conservancy Beechwoods Preserve in Pemberton.
https://sjbutterflies.org/butterfly/sightings/74330
Rancocas Conservancy Will Participate in Burlington County Farm Fair
Rancocas Conservancy will be at Burlington County Farm Fair. Stop by our table to say hi and grab some giveaways and goodies. Farm Fair will be held from 4 to 10pm on Tuesday through Saturday, July 18-22 at Burlington County Fairground on Jacksonville-Jobstown Road in Columbus.
Recent Trail Work Completed at Greenwood Branch Preserve
This 11 acre property is a pocket sized gem. A half mile lollipop trail winds along cedar swamps, picturesque ruins and beside lovely Greenwood Branch. A driveway to the trailhead is on the north side of Four Mile Road in Pemberton Township, .8 miles south of the New Lisbon Post Office.
Rancocas Conservancy Returns to Earth Fair
Rancocas Conservancy returned to the Burlington County Earth Fair at Smithville County Park on Sunday, June 25. We shared info and enthusiasm with more than 100 participants and their families over our shared love of the Rancocas. Everyone got an RNC refrigerator magnet, their choice of treats, and literature. New members were recruited and contact information was gathered. We were thrilled with this success and look forward to returning next year.
Rancocas Conservancy Will Participate in Burlington County Earth Fair on June 25
Rancocas Conservancy will have a table and exhibits at the Burlington County Earth Fair on Sunday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Smithville County Park. Stop by to say hello and grab some treats, giveaways and info.
Black Run/Cold Spring Preserve Fire
On May 15, 2022, a fire started near the border of Black Run and Rancocas Conservancy’s Cold Spring Preserve on the west side of Kettle Run Road. Fortunately, the fire was contained and extinguished quickly using backfires along Borton’s Mill Road and firelines ploughed into Cold Spring. Unfortunately, the firelines obliterated sections of our trails and exposed potentially dangerous roots. Although trails on the west side of Black Run reopened on May 22, we are not recommending use of trails in the adjoining section of Cold Spring at this time. After remediation, we will announce a reopening.
Cold Spring/Kettle Run Trailhead
Fireline
