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Shawn M. LaTourette

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Futuristic Map Would Guide Wharton State Forest Visitors In 'Real-Time': NJ DEP Futuristic Map Would Guide Wharton State Forest Visitors In 'Real-Time': NJ DEP
Futuristic Map Would Guide Wharton State Forest Visitors In 'Real-Time': NJ DEP The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is developing a digital visitors vehicle map that can be used to navigate the 124,350-acre Wharton State Forest. The state DEP is seeking public comments on the proposed map through March 9 by clicking here or here. The final Wharton Visiting Vehicle Use Map will be made available for download as a georeferenced PDF. Visitors driving through the state forest will be able to determine their location on the map in real-time on their mobile devices, even in areas with limited or no cellular service. Proposed Wharton State Forest V…

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by Jon Craig
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‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Nature Preserve Debuts In New Jersey ‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Nature Preserve Debuts In New Jersey
‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Nature Preserve Debuts In New Jersey Rainbow Hill, a pristine nature preserve featuring an 8-acre lake, hiking trails, and farm fields nestled between Hunterdon and Somerset County, is officially open to the public. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJ Conservation) held the grand opening for Rainbow Hill at Sourland Mountain Preserve — located just 30 miles east of Bucks County, PA — on Friday, Nov. 3. The site spans 1,150 acres and includes woodlands, fields, and several freshwater tributaries of the Neshanic River. Meanwhile, there are plenty of opportunities for passive recreational activities like hiking, horseback…

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by Valerie Musson
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NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season
NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season An extra $3 million in state money will go to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service to assist in fighting wildfires, authorities said. New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, at a Thursday, Sept. 21 news conference, said funding for new firefighting equipment and staff is vital as climate change heightens and lengthens wildfire seasons in the Garden State. This year was among the busiest and longest wildfire season in a decade, state officials said. Forest Fire Service Administrator and Chief Greg McLaughlin said there is a high pr…

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by Jon Craig
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$1M Grant Awarded For Wildfire Prevention Near NJ Military Bases $1M Grant Awarded For Wildfire Prevention Near NJ Military Bases
$1M Grant Awarded For Wildfire Prevention Near NJ Military Bases The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is set to receive $995,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense to reduce wildfire risk near military facilities, the DEP announced. The federal grant targets areas surrounding Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Warren Grove Gunnery Range in Bass River State Forest, Naval Weapons Station Earle and Sea Girt National Guard Training Facility, the DEP said in a press statement. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service responded to 1,175 wildfires that burned 12,664 acres last year, according to the DEP. When a wildfire encroaches a military instal…

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by Jon Craig
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3 Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In These NJ Counties 3 Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In These NJ Counties
3 Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In These NJ Counties New Jersey has its first cases of West Nile Virus of the year, the state's health department confirmed. Three men tested positive for the virus in Bergen, Morris, and Ocean counties. Two are in their 50s, one is in his 80s, and all were hospitalized. Two were recovering at home and one remains hospitalized.  WNV has also been detected in 293 mosquito pools and a red-tailed hawk this year in New Jersey. No cases of WNV have been reported in horses in 2022. In a typical year, there are eight human WNV infections reported. Last year, New Jersey had 36 human cases of WNV. WNV activit…

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by Cecilia Levine
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GO FREE: Murphy Waives Summer State Park Entrance Fee GO FREE: Murphy Waives Summer State Park Entrance Fee
GO Free: Murphy Waives Summer State Park Entrance Fee As of Memorial Day Weekend, entry to all New Jersey state parks, forests, and recreation areas will be free of charge for the entire summer, according to Gov. Phil Murphy. The one-year state parks fee holiday is one of several fee waivers included in this year's budget, he said. Park entrance fees will be waived for all visitors, regardless of state residency.  Anyone who already purchased a 2022 annual State Park Pass will automatically receive a full refund, the governor said in a press statement. Other individual park fees remain in place, including but not limited to camping, int…

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by Jon Craig
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Historic Lighthouse Shined-Up In Months-Long Restoration On Jersey Shore Historic Lighthouse Shined-Up In Months-Long Restoration On Jersey Shore
Historic Lighthouse Shined-Up In Months-Long Restoration On Jersey Shore ]Barnegat Lighthouse will close to visitors for the next seven months as the Department of Environmental Protection begins a $1.3 million restoration of the historic lighthouse, New Jersey officials said. The lighthouse closes for construction on Monday, March 14, according to DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. Construction work through October will involve a complete exterior restoration of the lighthouse, masonry recoating and repairs to the brick facade, interior lantern steel platform repairs, roof repairs and the installation of new windows.  Barnegat Lighthouse State Park wil…

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by Jon Craig