The fabled Outdoor Club of South Jersey trail crew, custodians of the 52 mile Batona Trail, felt like trying something different. Led by Conservancy president Rick Brown, along with trail crew heads Ro and Diane Mason, a group of fourteen cutters and trimmers tackled the yellow and white trails at North Branch Preserve in Pemberton Township on May 7. We are thankful for their help and hope to see them again.
Dr. Mark Thomas Gives Talk to Medford Historical Society
On May 3, Dr. Mark Thomas, founder and vice president, gave a talk to the Medford Historical Society on the Rancocas Conservancy, the Rancocas watershed and its integration into the Medford landscape, which straddles the Southwest Branch. He offered an intriguing vision for a Greenway of the village’s natural, historic and cultural assets, which would benefit the health and well-being of the community.
Rancocas Conservancy Reaches Out
Spring sends Rancocas Conservancy out into the community to talk to folks about the watershed. We’ve already been to Lines on the Pines and Black Run’s Poker Run. Coming up are Burlington County Earth Fair on April 21 at Smithville Park and Pinelands Preservation Alliance Native Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday April 26 and 27. See you soon.
Rancocas Conservancy Returns to Earth Fair
Rancocas Conservancy will again participate in the Burlington County Earth Fair on Sunday, April 21 from 11am to 4pm. Stop by our table in the Sustainable Living Tent to say hi and grab some goodies.
Trail Work at Cold Spring Preserve Saturday April 20
Join us to remediate a fire damaged trail, 830 am on Kettle Run Road, next to Black Run. Register here- https://pinelandsalliance.salsalabs.org/rancocasconservancyapril20trailmaintday
April 4 Hike Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
A new date will be scheduled soon.
Open Hike At North Branch Preserve on Thursday, April 4
Rancocas Conservancy has scheduled an open hike of about two miles at North Branch Preserve on Pemberton Bypass for Thursday, April 4 {rain date April 5} at 10am. Because of the small parking lot, there will be a limit of 13 cars. Please RSVP to contact@rancocasconservancy.org.
Rancocas Conservancy Hosts Outdoor Club of South Jersey
Thirteen members of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey enjoyed a tour of our first preserve, Stavola Beechwoods. Founder and current vice-president Dr. Mark Thomas led a four mile hike through the preserve, along the North Branch of Rancocas Creek, down the Pemberton Rail Trail and in the historic village of Pemberton Boro, sharing a wealth of knowledge about the area’s ecological and historic importance.
Rancocas Conservancy Makes First Appearance at Lines on the Pines
In our first appearance at Lines on the Pines, the annual get together of Pinelands lovers at Stockton University on Sunday, March10, Rancocas Conservancy met and spoke to well over 100 individuals about the Rancocas watershed, land protection and more.
2024-2025 Strategic Plan
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.
