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National

Biodiversity

Parks!

Our Initiatives

 

Surveyors during 2003 Lakehurst Survey by Scott Elowitz

 

National Biodiversity Parks, Inc. was founded in 2000. Since its inception, many have joined in helping NBP work towards the realization of its goal to identify, preserve, and properly manage critical habitat to sustain maximum biodiversity. Among those involved with NBP are scientists, engineers, educators and naturalists from all walks of life. Even prior to NBP's first land acquisition, we have been making contributions to the conservation movement.

NBP has developed a pragmatic habitat ranking model that provides conservationists with a comparative tool to identify properties with the highest biodiversity potential. The properties with the highest ranking can then receive priority preservation attention.

Upland Sanpiper in flight by Scott Elowitz

NBP has formally identified to the NJDEP a Project Preservation Area of 1,500 acres in the northern part of the Pine Barrens. This area has high biodiversity for several reasons and its preservation would provide a buffer to the globally recognized Pinelands Management Area. NBP and NJCF have already preserved a section of this 1,500 acre area.

American Oystercatcher, Northern Parula, Wood Duck, and Wilson's Warbler by Scott Elowitz

NBP members have been involed with the World Series of Birding for many years. They have discovered regionally signifcant breeding birds and raised funds for various conservation efforts. In recent years, NBP members have also won their Limited Geographical Area category three times.

In 2006, their winning efforts meant more than a trophy. The joint NBP and MCAS team obtained access to a federal property within Monmouth County, NJ. During their scouting and WSB efforts, NBP⁄MCAS members F. Virrazzi, M. Casper, the Temples, and D. Grob discovered several regionally rare species that are or may be breeding in the county.

Debbie and Fred came across the second ever county breeding record for Hooded Merganser when they were surprised to find a female with ten young. Fred found Pied-billed Grebe close to the safe breeding date and has located other probable rare breeders such as Sora, American Kestrel, Red–shouldered Hawk, Hermit Thrush, Horned Lark, Prothonotary, Worm–eating and Kentucky Warbler, Yellow–breasted Chat, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Seaside Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Meadowlark, and Bobolink. Dena and John located Yellow–crowned Night Heron, Pileated Woodpecker, nesting Copper′s Hawks and numerous migrant spots. “Bird” Casper shocked the community by finding Barred Owl, Whipoorwills, and least a pair of King Rails! Team finds included Common Moorhen, Barn Owl and scores of other species.

NBP has concluded that certain species have recently been lost as county breeders and fears without action more species will be lost shortly.

The 2006 WSB also marked NBP's first year of assisting a youth team. The VMS Viking Vultures were coached by their teacher (and NBP member) Dave Magpiong for several months leading up to their first Big Day. Restricted to birding only their home town, the team found a respectable 60 species!

The NBP⁄MCAS team also won the Limited Geographical Area Awardin 2005 by identifying a record 167 species within Monmouth County, NJ. Some of the breeding birds found are the last pairs that remain in the County. NBP has proposed some biodiversity surveys and programs to preserve these populations before they disappear.

In 2004, NBP members Fred Virrazzi and Mike Casper first lent their avian expertise to the Monmouth County Audubon Society’s WSB team to help raise funds for the worthy work the Society performs in the county. Their exploits were covered by the Tri-Town News .

Blackburnian Warbler by Scott Elowitz

The NBP team won the Limited Geographical Area Award in the 2003 World Series of Birding sponsored by the New Jersey Audubon Society. NBP’s team identified a record 163 bird species within Sussex County, NJ in a 24 hour period. This event provides valuable information regarding bird populations within the state of New Jersey. NBP has begun work on its first international conservation project. We are seeking to preserve critical habitats in Costa Rica. This tropical landscape is home to amazing wildlife including many endemic species and neotropical migrants that breed in the United States. Several areas of the country are currently being assessed for ecological significance, biodiversity, and presence of threatened or endangered species.

NBP is establishing a Sussex County Committee to identify ecologically important preservation opportunities. A Project Preservation Area of 1,300 acres has been formally proposed to the DEP in the foothills of Hamburg Mountain. The preservation of this area would create a buffer for the 2,640 acre Hamburg Mountain Wildlife Management Area, which will help maintain the existing biodiversity.

The Hamburg Mountain region is documented habitat for threatened and endangered species, including Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Goshawk and Bobcat, as well as typical Highlands fauna, including Bears, River Otter, and Beaver. It is also home to the Cerulean Warbler, a neotropical migratory songbird which a national coalition of conservation groups recently petitioned the federal government to protect under the Endangered Species Act.

Cerulean Warbler by Scott Elowitz

Hamburg Mountain is an integral part of a major contiguous forested area of New Jersey's Highlands region. Fragmentation and destruction of these forests are the major threat to the Highlands ecosystem. In addition, wetlands systems designated of “exceptional resource value” by the NJDEP are also located on Hamburg Mountain.

NBP is presently working on several local proposals to formally identify and survey locally rare or vanishing species.  After the intended studies, recommendations will then be made to local NGO’s and governmental entities on how to protect these species and the required habitat.

Eastern Meadowlark by Scott Elowitz

NBP is a certified and approved Department of Defense Contractor for threatened and endangered species surveys and ecological studies. Since 2002, NBP has conducted the annualbreeding bird surveys for grassland species at Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station. Survey results and data interpretation by NBP are utilized by the DOD’s Natural Resources Manager to gauge success of their grassland bird habitat management practices which include plantings, tree grubbing, and rotational burns. The Station is a biological oasis, providing irreplaceable habitat for several species of threatened and endangered herptiles and birds, such as: Northern Pine Snake, Pine Barrens Treefrog, American Bittern, Barred Owl, Upland Sandpiper, Henslow’s Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Vesper Sparrow. All of these species have been recorded on site by NBP's survey teams.

NBP’s studies at Lakehurst have reiterated the importance of this unique preserved area. Presently we are submitting a proposal to the DOD for increasing biodiversity at Lakehurst. The proposal shall describe and then provide habitat for Henslow’s Sparrow. Henslow’s Sparrow has been recorded once in the last ten years as a confirmed breeding bird in NJ (Lakehurst). Recently NBP has found the species at the Base. A management plan that specifically address this species requirements and eventually proves successful would be a note worthy event in the conservation field.

Grasshopper Sparrow by Scott Elowitz

NBP is presently working on establishing three regional "Acquisition Committees" within New Jersey that shall more efficiently observe and react to land conservation opportunities.  Once an ecologically significant property is recognized, threatened by development, or listed for sale, a local NBP representative can contact the owner to explore the advantages of permanent preservation to our communities.

NBP members have joined The Rahway River Association and the Arthur Kill Coalition. NBP is becoming involved with some of the habitat restoration issues in this large area.

NBP has also established several monthly avian biodiversity records in New Jersey by organizing "Big Day Teams". This baseline data will be useful in detecting changes in avian biodiversity which may act as a barometer for the general "habitat health" of the state.