Sparta Mountain Trail and Site Closure February through March 2024

[NJDFW]

A 25-acre area that includes just over ¼ mile of trail on the eastern side of Sparta Mountain WMA will be temporarily closed to the public on or about February 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024 (see map). 

Please remove any tree stands, blinds, or other items remaining in this area before work begins, pay attention to the posted signs in this area, and do not enter the posted area. 

The purpose of the temporary closure is for a habitat restoration project that will open the forest canopy to allow for the growth of young oak and hickory trees, blackberries, sedges, and a variety of other native shrub and sapling plants. This habitat will become breeding and/or foraging habitat for numerous wildlife, including the 80 different bird species that have been observed using other sites of restored open-canopy forest on Sparta Mountain WMA.

NJ Fish & Wildlife regrets having to close the area. However, during previous management activities, spectators entering the work area and disregarding posted signs created significant safety concerns that result in the current closure during the entire work period.

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[mazzgolf]

1 hour ago, NJDFW said:

for a habitat restoration project that will open the forest canopy to allow for the growth of young oak and hickory trees, blackberries, sedges, and a variety of other native shrub and sapling plants.

Wish they would do some of this kind of thing down here.

Oh, that's right - they did (Glassboro WMA) and the environmental radicals made the DEP sue themselves because God-forbid we try to do something for woodcock habitat and clear out a small 21 acre plot of old-forest (out of over a total of 2,300 acres in that WMA).

[Rusty]

58 minutes ago, mazzgolf said:

Wish they would do some of this kind of thing down here.

Oh, that's right - they did (Glassboro WMA) and the environmental radicals made the DEP sue themselves because God-forbid we try to do something for woodcock habitat and clear out a small 21 acre plot of old-forest (out of over a total of 2,300 acres in that WMA).

I’m glad that they continued with this project even though there was a lot of opposition.