These photos were originally published in an older, PHP-Nuke based SierraActivist.org. They’re an example of early digital photography activism. They were a boost to alerts and campaigns, educating not only activists but elected officials, having attained over 125,000 page views. Photos may also be viewed on Flickr.
Camp Todd – Stop the Bulldozers!! – December 28, 2005
Just 30 miles from NYC, the Ramapos form the eastern edge of the Highlands. Much of the land is protected, but atop the Ramapo ridge in Oakland NJ, Camp Todd may be facing its final days. Along the banks of the Ramapo River, creeping up the mountain, is the 400-home development called Ramapo Reserve, earning the title of NJ’s worst development in National Sierra’s 2000 Sprawl Report. The bulldozers are coming, and the top of the mountain, what’s left of Camp Todd, is next.
Petty’s Island – January 4, 2005
Citgo is offering to give a conservation easement of 392-acre Petty’s Island in the Delaware River for FREE and to clean up ALL contamination to government environmental standards. Citgo is also offering to donate $2 million to a land trust to manage and conserve the island. Taxpayers will not be liable for any environmental clean up costs. Unfortunately the state of NJ has refused Citgo’s gift, since a connected developer has plans for a golf course, single-family luxury homes and a high-rise hotel and convention center. The environmental community is working against the clock, to preserve the island as a protected habitat for the threatened and endangered species that live there. Read more about Petty’s Island. Take action and respond to our alert.
NJ Chapter Sierra Club – October 4, 2004
Miscellaneous pics of NJ Chapter Sierra Club events. Gina Carola (Chair of the West Jersey Group), Rep. Andrews and Chapter Conservation Director Dennis Schvejda at Wiggins Park, Camden, NJ, October 4, 2004. We met with Rep. Andrews for a half hour and discussed the preservation of Petty’s Island, Delaware Deepening, VX, the Presidential election and the Tongass. Rep. Andrews has a 100% LCV rating and as he has been for many years, endorsed by the Sierra Club for reelection in 2004.
NJ Sierra Trail Maintenance – September 12, 2004
As a member of the NY/NJ Trail Conference, the NJ Chapter has a responsibility to maintain a section of trail. We are fortunate to have been assigned a portion of the Highlands Trail near Lake Hopatcong. For those who know the area, the Trail is roughly from the Eves Mountain Inlet Sanctuary to the Weldon Quarry.
Cycle of Destruction – July 2, 2004
When McGreevey’s “EZ Pass for Polluters” bill becomes law, the last pockets of green in NJ’s already developed areas will be lost to “smart growth.” So, we can take solace and enjoy the parks that we have, right? Unfortunately, McGreevey’s Urban Parks Initiative is actually an “urbanization of our parks” initiative and threatens what little green space the public thought was protected. Join me to witness the destruction of forest and foot trail in Prospect Park’s Hofstra Park by a bicycle “path.”
Highlands Victory Hike! – June 13, 2004
To celebrate the historic Highlands preservation vote, the Sierra Club called for an impromptu hike, June 13, 2004 at Wyanokie High Point at Norvin Green State Forest.
Highlands Coalition Congressional Tour – Spring 2003
The Highlands Coalition and its member groups sponsored a Highlands Tour for the staff of the NJ/NY Congressional delegation. Join us as we visit Bearfort Tower in the heart of the Newark Pequannock Watershed, paddle down the Wallkill River, and get a bird’s eye view of the Highlands from a helicopter. Photos by Tom Gilbert & Dennis Schvejda.
William Paterson Bulldozers Invade High Mountain! April 2004
The bulldozers of William Paterson University have invaded the forests of High Mountain, not only on their property, but the park itself.
Senator Corzine Press Conference – April 1, 2003
Senator Jon Corzine has introduced the ‘Act to Save America’s Forests.’ The Corzine legislation would end logging and roadbuilding in the last remaining ancient forests and roadless areas. I was honored to join Senator Corzine, along with Dr. Jane Goodall, Brent Blackwelder (President of Friends of the Earth), and Carl Ross (Executive Director of Save America’s Forests), at a press conference to speak out for forest protection. Read the press release, and learn more about the legislation. Photos by Tina Schvejda
Transcript, additional photos, audio, and streaming video of the press conference and lecture may be found at the Save America’s Forests website.
Highlands Hike – Pequannock Watershed – April 21, 2002
Second of four special Highlands Hikes. Come join us as we celebrate the beauty of our very threatened Highlands region in observance of Earth Day 2002. A 5 mile, moderately paced hike and tour of a beautiful scenic area near the Pequannock Watershed that is the target of major redevelopment. Along the hike you will learn of ongoing efforts to protect the watershed and other critical treasures of the Highlands region.
Troy Meadows covers over 2,000 acres, almost 4 square miles of wetlands and forest, between East Hanover and Parsippany-Troy Hills Townships. This is New Jersey’s largest freshwater marsh, a vast plain of cattail reeds that is home to eleven different threatened and endangered species. Unfortunately, since the early 1950′s Troy Meadows has been reduced to half it’s original size.
Extreme Threat Wyanokies Hike – March 17, 2002
Join hike leaders Don Weise and Rob Lehmann for a circuit tour including two of the Highlands’ most famous long distance trails. Enjoy incredible views of Monksville Reservoir, Sterling Forest, the Wyanokies and Ramapo Mountains as we tour endangered trail land, proposed to become a motorized recreation center in the near future.
Splitrock Reservoir – March 10, 2002
The 640 acre Splitrock Reservoir in Morris County’s Rockaway Township lies in the heart of the Farny Highlands region, a 35,000-acre watershed, home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals.
Jungle Habitat – February 3, 2002
The former Jungle Habitat safari theme park, almost 800 acres, was purchased by the state of NJ in 1988 for $1.45 million through the Green Acres land preservation program. Jungle Habitat had a short life, 1972-76, before it closed down. Now part of Norvin Green State Forest, this land is again at a crossroads: will we allow it to return to Nature, or will it be transformed into a motorcycle theme park?
New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic states have been in the grip of a drought for several years. Hurricane Floyd gave us a “break” a few years ago, but the drought has continued. Precipitation in the state in October, November and December, 2001 — 4.30 inches — was the lowest end-of-year total since records began in 1895. Where’s the water? The view from from Monksville Dam, overlooking the Wanaque Reservoir, February 3, 2002.
An Exploration of the Pequannock Watershed – October 28, 2001
The Pequannock River Coalition, led by Ross Kushner, sponsored a tour of the Pequannock Watershed, Sunday, October 28, 2001. Over 40 individuals experienced a great day visiting the Pequannock River and Watershed at Federal Hill, Pompton Lakes, Algonquin Waters, and Hamburg Mountain. Throughout the trip Ross and others gave informative talks about the threats to the waters and woodlands of this special region.
Holgate, NJ’s Beach Wilderness – October 20, 2001
An October 20, 2001 hike by Sierra Club & Wilderness Society members to witness the illegal use of off-road vehicles in NJ’s only beach Wilderness.
