Pathfinders preserve Jackson's hidden jewel
One can discover a bounty of nature just off main road
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - Improvements are being made to the Metedeconk Preserve Nature Hiking Trail off Frank Applegate Road. The rough trail is open to the public while improvements are being made.

"The New Jersey Conservation Foun-dation preserved this property in 1992 through a donation by Dr. and Mrs. Jesse Schulman," said Lisa MacCollum, the foundation's assistant director of land acquisition. "After obtaining a grant to construct a nature trail on the property, NJCF began working with the Jackson Pathfinders [and subsequently the Boys Scouts of America] to complete the trail."

Since then the Pathfinders have done a great job of completing and maintaining the trail, MacCollum said.

"The Pathfinders have put a tremendous amount of time and effort into making this property accessible to the public for walking, hiking and nature studies," she said.

On a recent morning, members of Boy Scout troops 14, 144 and 175 joined the Pathfinders to work on the trail. A reporter from the Tri-Town News went along to observe the progress being made.

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN The Jackson Pathfinders, with help from local Boy Scouts, have helped to improve the Metedeconk Pre-serve Nature Hiking Trail in Jackson. A recent walk revealed that information has been posted about the surrounding nature. Dan Green (far left) pulled a rusty old folding chair out of a stream, while Tony Santa Maria (top), chairman of wildlife preservation and project coordinator for the Jackson Pathfinders, explains to volunteers what type of work needs to be done on the trail.

NJCF Director of Stewardship Tim Morris said the trail goes through wetlands and the Pathfinders and the Boy Scouts have worked together to build raised walkways.

Along the trail Morris met up with Tony Santa Maria, chairman of wildlife preservation and project coordinator for the Jack-son Pathfinders.

"We are in the process of doing quite a bit right now," Santa Maria said. "There are two areas that are being worked on at the moment."

Proceeding along the trail, Santa Maria pointed to a nest box built for a barred owl.

"That actually had a barred owl in it a couple of years ago," he said. "It was documented by the state."

To date there are three owl nest boxes along the 2-mile trail. Nest boxes for a variety of other birds have been placed on the trail to provide additional habitats for species such as the wood duck, northern flicker, nuthatch and wren, to name a few.

Interpretive tree signs are being installed to help in identifying various tree species.

"This is a blackjack oak," Santa Maria said, identifying one tree. "They don't get much bigger than this. It's the only one we could really find and it's worthy enough to have its own sign. The sign was donated by the Forestry Resource Education Center for this project."

The Pathfinders and the Forestry Resource Education Center work together on various endeavors.

Stopping along the way, Santa Maria noted an area which is called the Wildlife/Garden Viewing Area. Other stopping areas include a scenic overlook, a tall cedars sanctuary and the seat of solitude, an area which is off the main trail and appeared to be suitable for meditation or communing with nature.

Each area will be adorned with identification signs and can be enjoyed by people of all ages who may be in the mood for a peaceful afternoon hike. Benches have also been placed along the trail.

Once again on the move and crossing a wooden walkway, Santa Maria pointed to the walkway and said it was made by a Boy Scout Troop in 2004. He noted trail signs that were recently placed along the trail, and up in one tree was a nest box for a screech owl.

"We're always looking for Scout troops who want to continue working on the project," he said.

Further up the trail Santa Maria stopped and warned the walkers to be alert for box turtles.

Morris said he heard an oven bird.

"That one goes 'teacher, teacher, teacher,' " Morris said. "They build a nest in the ground that looks like a Dutch oven. It's a kind of a warbler. It's a forest bird that flies up from South America and Central America."

Continuing along the trail, Santa Maria noted that frogs, lizards and snakes can be seen by people who take the time to observe their surroundings.

Up the trail a bit Pathfinders member Dan Green held up a rusty, muck-covered folding chair that was found in a nearby stream.

"We don't want things like that in our stream," Green said. "We've been pretty lucky. We haven't had too much junk like this to haul out."

Moving on, Morris and Santa Maria came to a group of Scouts, Jon Zee of Troop 14, Pierce Kiernan of Venture Troop Crew 144, and Clinton Bradley of Troop 14, who were busy constructing a wooden walkway through the woods.

Returning to the trail head, Santa Maria and Morris passed two more Scouts, R.T. Tweer of Troop 175, and Andrew DeRogatis of Troop 14, who were keeping the trail clear by cutting grass with gasoline-powered mowers.

The Jackson Pathfinders are seeking volunteers to help preserve Jackson's open spaces for recreational purposes. Call (908) 330-2579 for more information or visit www.JacksonPathfinders.org.

The Pathfinders have a $25,000 grant from the state to develop a parcel of land known as Bunker Hill Bog on West Veterans Highway. The project will be the crowning achievement for the Pathfinders and will require the services of the town, outside contractors and all active members once Jackson gives the green light.