Please support our work, and join us out at Princeton's first nature preserve.
THE LAND
· Convinced Princeton to
accept transfer of the 142 acre Herrontown Woods from the county, including the
buildings.
· Our advocacy was crucial
in adding 7.5 acres of sloping woodland to Herrontown Woods, at no cost to
Princeton.
· Our work at Herrontown
Woods helped prioritize acquisition by Mercer County of 4.5 acres of pasture next to Veblen
House. FOHW is working with DR Greenway and Princeton to determine how this
important grassland habitat will be managed.
LAND STEWARDSHIP
· Doing the vital work of
maintaining and improving trails
· A new botanical garden: Many
workdays have been devoted to planting and weeding a botanical garden, located
in a forest opening near the main parking lot. Labeling has begun of more than
90 species of native trees, grasses and wildflowers
· Partnering with Princeton
and Stone Hill Church on invasive species control
· Stockpiling rocks for
use along the trails
THE BUILDINGS
· Began negotiating a
lease agreement for the Veblen House, Cottage, and grounds with Princeton
· Improved the buildings’
appearance and weather resistance by improving the roof tarps and painting the window
covers.
· Discovered and restored some
of the original drainage around the Veblen House and added two raingardens
· Preparations for
carrying out initial repairs to better stabilize and weatherize structures
BOARD
· New board members and
some particularly engaged friends of the preserve are adding their energy and
expertise to FOHW’s work.
· Had our first board “retreat”
to develop strategic planning
FUNDRAISING
· Additional progress
towards our initial goal of raising $100,000.
EDUCATION
· Nature walks, plant labels,
podcasts, and QR codes
· Workdays with Girlscouts,
the Charter School, and Jewish Center volunteers
· Ongoing website posts
· Collaborating with the
public library on educational materials
· Updated trail map
EVENTS
· Hosted our first annual
Oswald Veblen Birthday Party on June 24
· Hosted our first annual
gathering at a lovely home next to the preserve
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
· Two articles in the
Princeton Alumni Weekly--Adventures in Fine Hall, and at the ripe old age of
138 Veblen made the cover, looking confident and remarkably young, in an
article entitled the Power of Small Numbers
· A neighbor doing house
cleaning came across a binder full of old correspondence about Herrontown Woods
stewardship in the 1970s and '80s, and donated it all to FOHW
PUBLICITY
· Some great articles in local
publications about our work
