FOPOS Land Stewardship Volunteer Session // 10.18.25

Friends of Princeton Open Space(FOPOS), founded in 1969, is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization devoted to acquiring open space in Princeton for preservation, protecting natural resources, maintaining accessibility to trails, and providing environmental education. Throughout the Princeton region, FOPOS works with groups to support efforts to preserve and protect open space and the environment.Since its founding, FOPOS has helped to establish over 1,800 acres of parkland and a network of trails that nearly encircles Princeton.  Through grants and the contributions of hundreds of people in the community, FOPOS has helped raise nearly $10 million for the purchase of land and acquisition of easements on properties that might have been bulldozed for development.  In addition to land preservation, FOPOS also leads in stewardship, from creating and maintaining hiking trails, boardwalks and footbridges, to the removal of invasive species and the replanting of native varieties.FOPOS also sponsors community programs and activities, such as nature walks and educational workshops, and advocates for governmental actions that protect our water, land, animals and plant communities. If you have an interest in spending time outdoors, enjoying nature and making a difference in the community, please contact us at info@fopos.org to get involved in trail-building and ecological restoration.

Friends of Princeton Open Space

Join FOPOS for a FALL Planting Session at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve.

Mountain Lakes House

Join FOPOS for a FALL planting session at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve! Volunteers will work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship team to plant native trees and shrubs, helping to restore native habitats and support biodiversity.Volunteer Sessions Date &amp; Time: Saturday, October 18th | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. &amp; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.These plantings will:<ul><li>Boost long-term carbon sequestration,</li><li>Provide essential habitat for wildlife, and</li><li>Create a healthier, more resilient environment for the entire community.</li></ul>What to Wear &amp; Bring :<ul><li>We recommend dressing for working in the woods. Dress in layers and wear long pants and work boots</li><li>Bring water to stay hydrated</li></ul>Meetup Location: Mountain Lakes House Parking LotDirections &amp; Parking: We will meet at the Mountain Lake House parking lot, located within the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. Here is a link to the parking lot location on <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parking+lot,+Princeton,+NJ+08540/@40.3633252,-74.678648,717m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c3e69a822d366f:0x7d2312827f4d8ea3!8m2!3d40.3627034!4d-74.6754476!16s%2Fg%2F11cpn4ll96?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYyMy4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" title="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parking+lot,+Princeton,+NJ+08540/@40.3633252,-74.678648,717m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c3e69a822d366f:0x7d2312827f4d8ea3!8m2!3d40.3627034!4d-74.6754476!16s%2Fg%2F11cpn4ll96?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYyMy4yIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Google Maps</a> &amp; <a href="https://maps.apple.com/place?map=explore&place-id=I8FD7F90A0B23B18F&address=57+Mountain+Ave%2C+Princeton%2C+NJ++08540%2C+United+States&coordinate=40.3633412%2C-74.6760686&name=The+Mountain+Lakes+House&_provider=9902" title="https://maps.apple.com/place?map=explore&place-id=I8FD7F90A0B23B18F&address=57+Mountain+Ave%2C+Princeton%2C+NJ++08540%2C+United+States&coordinate=40.3633412%2C-74.6760686&name=The+Mountain+Lakes+House&_provider=9902" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Apple Maps</a>. The address of the Preserve is 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540; this will bring you to the entrance of the Preserve, not our meet-up location. To get to the Mountain Lakes House parking lot, look for the white gate along Mountain Avenue, marked by a series of black mailboxes along the road. Drive slowly down the long paved driveway. The gravel parking lot will be on your left, approximately 1/2 mile down the driveway.Event waiver: Please complete this event waiver - <a href="http://fopos.org/waiver" title="http://fopos.org/waiver" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">fopos.org/waiver</a>. This needs to be completed once per calendar year.About this restoration project:Volunteer activities will take place in the 25-acre riparian restoration project area, located along the shores of Mountain Lake and its feeder streams. This area plays an important role in stabilizing streambanks, filtering pollutants, and providing vital habitat for wildlife.Native plants support hundreds of insects that fuel the food chain, and provide high quality habitat for a diversity of wildlife. For instance, in the fall and winter months, the berries of native shrubs, such as silky dogwood (Cornus amomum), offer excellent nutrition to migrating and overwintering songbirds in the form of fats and proteins.Riparian areas play an important role in improving water quality by slowing down stormwater and filtering out pollutants before they enter the water system. Water that flows through Mountain Lakes Park ultimately finds its way into the Raritan River, an important drinking water source for central NJ. Riparian areas also provide critical habitat for birds, insects, and aquatic life.About FOPOS: Founded in 1969, FOPOS has been working to preserve and protect natural spaces in the greater Princeton area for more than 50 years. As a part of our work, we rely on volunteers to help make progress when it comes to restoration work, such as our current forest and riparian restoration projects in the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve.Can't make this session? <a href="https://www.fopos.org/support-us" title="https://www.fopos.org/support-us" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Consider making a donation</a> to show your love for our local environment! All donations support our year-round stewardship work.Looking to register for multiple volunteer sessions this summer? Register <a href="https://form.jotform.com/251338505819158" title="https://form.jotform.com/251338505819158" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">HERE</a>.

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FOPOS Land Stewardship Volunteer Session // 10.18.25

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FOPOS Land Stewardship Volunteer Session // 10.18.25

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