The Sourland Conservancy invites you to join their newest staff member, Carolyn Klaube, as she leads free guided virtual hikes on Sourland region trails via the Conservancy’s new blog, SourlandNiche.
A “niche,” in ecology, is all of the interactions of a species with the other members of its community. A variety of factors including soil type and climate also define a species’ niche. Informally, a “niche” is considered the “job” or “role” that a species performs within nature.
Carolyn has been hiking the trails, alone or with assistance from her two young boys, through the seasons, photographing items of interest, and sharing interesting information and random facts and links for followers to learn more.
To follow the blog and receive email updates on her weekly expeditions, visit www.sourlandniche.blog, enter your email address and click the follow button.
Visit the blog today to see what she found on the trail at Elks, Preserve, The Watershed Institute, Hunterdon County Sourland Mountain Preserve, Zion Crossing, St. Michael’s, Rockhopper, Eames, Omick Woods, Goat Hill, Rocky Brook, Hopewell Borough Park, Baldpate Mountain, Rosedale and Nayfield Preserve. She invites followers to learn about the land, water, plants and critters that share our SourlandNiche.
Another fun way to explore the Sourlands is by actually hitting the trail! The Sourland region boasts 24 unique parks and preserves with hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to moderate. The preserves are open to the public from dawn to dusk.
If you have already purchased the Conservancy’s new Sourland Region Hiking Atlas, this is a fun way to try it out: Visit each Sourland park/preserve, enjoy the beauty of the flora and fauna, bathe in the serenity of the forests and meadows. When you return home, write a log entry into your Journal (inside back cover of the Atlas).
After you have visited 10 preserves and logged your entries, take a picture of the page, choose your favorite quote from your entries and your favorite photo from your hiking adventures and email them to [email protected]. In appreciation for your support of the Sourland Conservancy and your love for hiking in the Sourlands, the Conservancy will send you a special gift!
If you would like to purchase the 54-page color atlas for $18, visit tiny.cc/SC_Shop. Maps are also available to view online at sourland.org/sourland-trail-maps/.
