The Sourland Conservancy, together with community volunteers, recently completed a public planting event at Curlis Woods, restoring native trees and shrubs to one of the region’s treasured open spaces.
The hands-on effort was part of the Conservancy’s ongoing mission to improve ecosystem health, support wildlife habitat and strengthen community connections to the natural environment.
Volunteers of all ages joined staff to plant a diverse mix of native trees and shrubs, helping to combat the effects of invasive species, prevent erosion, and improve water and air quality throughout the Sourlands. Species planted included silver maple, river birch, ironwood/musclewood, shagbark hickory, silky and gray dogwood, winterberry holly, spicebush, sycamore, pin oak, black willow, arrowwood viburnum and blackhaw viburnum, along with black oak, white oak and chestnut oak tubelings.
Each was protected with tree tubes or deer fencing with the goal of ensuring long-term survival.
The Sourland Conservancy says that Curlis Woods, a mature beech grove within Mercer County Parks, is facing a significant threat from Beech Leaf Disease. To build future resilience, the conservancy is intentionally diversifying the forest’s understory and canopy.
“We’re planting diverse native trees and shrubs,” said Robert Aluck, stewardship director for the Sourland Conservancy. “The reason we are selecting these species is to combat future canopy loss due to Beech Leaf Disease, which will potentially kill 70 to 80% of Curlis Woods.”
For many volunteers, the experience was both meaningful and educational. Volunteer Sam Guman said: “Curlis Woods is a beautiful beech grove, and seeing the effects of Beech Leaf Disease made the time spent there feel incredibly necessary. Sharing the experience with my cousin — teaching her about tree health and restoration (knowledge I’ve gathered through my internship and ongoing volunteer commitment to the Conservancy) — was a highlight. Every tree we planted is a step toward giving this forest a new future.”
Curlis Woods is one of many public preserves where the conservancy partners with municipalities, landowners, and volunteers to restore forests and enhance habitat across the region. The organization says it has planted more than 65,000 trees since 2020, a milestone made possible through community engagement and donor support.
The Sourland Conservancy encourages the public to support its ongoing reforestation and stewardship work to ensure a healthy, resilient Sourlands for generations to come. For more information, visit www.sourland.org.
