CU Reporter Winter 1999-2000

Meeting Wednesday, January 12, 2000 –
Wheaton Village Crafts Building, Millville 7:30 p.m.

Purple Martins: A PMCA Slide Show
Guest Speaker Allen Jackson

Have you been unsuccessful in attracting purple Martins to your property? Most prospective martin landlords put up housing incorrectly or are unsuccessful because they do not know how to manage their martin colony properly. Allen Jackson, a resident of Millville and wildlife biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, is offering technical advice to area residents on managing martins. He is a self-proclaimed martin fanatic and landlord, and an active member of Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA). The PMCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation, management, and research of martins. Allen, who subscribes to their proven management practices, can be contacted at: 514 Buck Street, Millville, NJ 08332; phone (856) 327-4861.

WOW! Citizens United Receives $25,000 to Produce Movie with NJN
Citizens United and NJN will be partnering again on a Bayshore film. This film will highlight five local artists’ portrayal of marsh and surrounding landscapes – Patt Witt, Glenn Rudderow, Connie Jost, Don Friel, and Belva Prycl, with music by the Snake Brothers. The film is intended to increase the appreciation of these viewscapes, thereby fostering a greater stewardship. Monies for the film were made possible through the National Park Service’s Challenge Cost-Share program, NJN, and CU membership donations. The NPS program enabled the Cumberland County Department of Planning and Development to review grant applications for projects that related to the Wild and Scenic Maurice River. Our project was reviewed by the NPS, the County Department of Planning and Development, and the County Freeholders. Presently we are executing the necessary contracts to commence work. Once this process is complete it is expected the film will be done in 14 months.

Vineland Has A Great Opportunity. Please Write – Your Letters are Critical!
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has made an offer to purchase the City of Vineland’s property bordering the Maurice River. This habitat abuts already protected TNC preserves. This is really a win / win scenario for the City both from a public enjoyment and fiscal standpoint. We all know what a wonderful natural resource this area represents. Thankfully a decision to preserve this area would also be financially prudent. In applying for a previous EDA grant the City estimated that it would cost over a million dollars just to develop the linear infrastructure for this site because of its remote location. Presently the City is debating whether to retain 144 acres of a 400+ acre tract, and donate the remainder. The officers and trustees of Citizens United encourage the City to make the wise choice and preserve the entire property. Acquisition of the complete parcel would ensure the environmental integrity of the existing greenway that runs from Malaga to Union Lake. Your support for preserving the tract is critical! Write – Mayor Campanella and City Council, City of Vineland, 640 E. Wood Street, Vineland, NJ 08360.

Smashing Success! Unveiling of Down Jersey – Celebrating Our Sense of Place: A Teachers’ Curriculum
A special thank you event for all the teachers and organizations that helped create the Down Jersey teachers’ curriculum was held at the Down Jersey Folklife Center at Wheaton Village. The membership hosted a wonderful reception complete with goodies. We are very appreciative of Wheaton Village for putting a roof over our heads. Over 40 people attended the affair and a good time was had by all. This initial distribution of the packets was accompanied by a registration / questionnaire in which teachers were asked the potential number of students & teachers they might introduce to some of the activities. The grand total response was (drum roll, please) 14,100+ students and 800+ teachers. This is only with a very few packets having been distributed (35). It is really mind-boggling.

In our confirmation letter to teachers who have signed up for workshops we state: “Our intention in creating Down Jersey – Celebrating Our Sense of Placeis to help you make a difference to the future of the New Jersey Bayshore Region. We know that teachers do inspire students with an appreciation for this region. This appreciation can lead to pride of place and a commitment to preserve what is unique about our area. By continuing to integrate your present curriculum with what is relevant to students – their own backyards – pupils can make the connection between our resources and the culture which emerged from them. We are most pleased that you will be participating in this inspiring project.” Our goal is clear, as clear as our Mission, to create stewards of our natural resources.

If you wish to sign up for a workshop, or know a teacher who would, the following are the locations and dates. Presently, the packets are only available to people who worked on the project or come to the workshops. The January 21 workshop is filling up fast.

Friday, January 21, 2000 – 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Cape May Bird Observatory, Goshen

Wednesday, January 26, 2000 – 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Wheaton Village Down Jersey Folklife Center, Millville

Wednesday, February 9, 2000 – 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Salem County Historical Society, Salem

Please send registrations to CU, PO Box 474, Millville, NJ 08332, or if you have questions call 856-327-1161.

Cumberland County College Class Visits River
Citizens United hosted Dr. Tim Jacobsen’s class for an introduction to the river. They had a fun and informative visit. They viewed a perched eagle, identified many ducks, and got very cold noses and toes.

Mark those Calendars – Upcoming Meetings (revised dates)

Wednesday, January 12, 2000 — 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 8, 2000 — 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10, 2000 — 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 12, 2000 — 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 13, 2000 — 7:30p.m.
Wednesday, November 8, 2000 — 7:30 p.m

If you need membership brochures for recruitment purposes or a distribution point just call Joanne Murphine 825-6018 or Belinda Dalton 692-5951.

CU on the River!