Guided Hike at Musconetcong Gorge Perserve

Event is hosted by Trust for Public Land FRIDAY, MAY 26 9:00AM EDT

MUSCONETCONG GORGE LOOP TRAILHEAD, BLOOMSBURY, NJ 

Join us for a beautiful hike at the Musconetcong Gorge, about 3 miles roundtrip. Jay Kelly, Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Raritan Valley Community College, and Bill Leavens, Founding member and Board Secretary at Musconetcong Watershed Association and TPL NJ Advisory Board member, will co-lead this hike to provide both ecological and historical knowledge about this special place, so please ask a lot of questions as we go!This is a moderate trail with some steep rocky sections, stream crossings, and cascades, and will include part of the Highlands Trail.All are welcome! Please invite your friends and family.Plan to arrive a few minutes early so we can start promptly at 9am. Bring water and wear appropriate footwear for uneven and possibly wet terrain.

ABOUT BILL LEAVENS Bill Leavens was fortunate to spend much of his early summers in a wooded glen with a small stream. After careers in grain farming and financial management, he focused as a volunteer on environmental activities. As Board President of Musconetcong Watershed Association, he worked on New Jersey’s first dam removal projects and became involved in restoring the Asbury Mill. That historic building is being repurposed as a convening space, education facility, and interpretive center. Bill also served on the Board of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, representing a family foundation.

ABOUT JAY KELLY Dr. Jay Kelly is an Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Raritan Valley Community College, where he teaches a wide variety of classes including Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Plants Humans and the Environment, and Ecology Experience Abroad in Bahia, Brazil. His research interests are the biology and conservation of rare plant and animal species, coastal and forest ecology, and the design and implementation of ecological land management practices that balance the needs of humans with other species in the landscape. At RVCC Jay involves his students in authentic, hands-on experiences with field trips and research projects. He also serves as a mentor for a variety of internship opportunities including coastal conservation, forest ecology, rare plant, and wildlife research which allow students and alumni to further develop their skills as scientists and as conservationists.

TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND TPL is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most.Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 3 million acres of public land, created more than 5,000 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $84 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected more than 9 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org