Teens Spruce Up Floating Wetlands In Watchung Reservation

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A group of student volunteers rowed out to spruce up a “floating wetlands” demonstration project at Surprise Lake in the Union County’s Watchung Reservation, and they also helped repair a section of trail.

The volunteer group consisted of teens participating in the Mitzvah Mania youth community service program of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey. The effort was part of Union County’s Adopt-a-Park Program.

“The wetlands project shows how native plants can provide natural filtration for pollutants that enter the lake. It also contributes to biodiversity and provides sustenance for hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Thanks to these volunteers, the project can continue to inform our efforts to foster a healthy environment in our County parks.”

The wetlands project consists of two floating islands planted with swamp loosestrife, cardinal flower, blue flag iris, swamp hibiscus and other native species. Working from a rowboat, the students removed debris from the islands and replaced plants that were dead or missing.

“Native plants that like to get their ‘feet’ wet are ideal for natural filtration, but they don’t thrive when planted in the bed of the lake,” explained Bergen. “By floating them in pots on the surface, we allow the roots to grow in the water.”

The floating wetlands project in Lake Surprise was funded through the Union County Adopt-a-Park program. Three addition lakes and ponds in County parks are slated to receive floating wetlands.

Any individual or group can volunteer with Adopt-a-Park. Union County has 36 parks totaling almost 6,200 acres, and there are many ways to help out. To find out how to volunteer, and to learn more about Union County’s environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.

(Images via Tina Casey)

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