SWCA NOW ON FACEBOOK

We are excited to now have a facebook page where we can share comments and photos of our events and activities. Please join us!

Spring Newsletter
This issue features news on all of our upcoming events, a species spotlight on trout lily, and a special rain garden project to help alleviate impacts of stormwater in Saddler's Woods. Click Here to Download

National Trails Day - Volunteer Event
Saturday June 2, 2012 9:30am - 1pm. Rain or shine. Volunteers are needed to help plant a rain garden, weed invasive species, mulch trails, and remove litter. So we may plan tools and refreshments accordingly registration is required by May 26th. Limit 100. To register email Kristen@saddlerswoods.org or call 856 869-7372.

Children's Programs:
Fluttering Butterflies & Busy Buzzing Bugs
Registration is now open for children's programs being offered this June.

Fluttering Butterflies will be offered for two dates for the Honeybees group ( ages infant - 2). You may choose one session either on Friday June 8th from 4:00 - 4:45pm or Saturday June 9th from 9:15 - 10pm.

Busy Buzzing Bugs will be offered to the Chipmunks group (ages 3 -5) on Friday June 15th from 4:30 - 6pm, to the Forest Explorers group ( ages 6 - 9) on Friday June 22nd from 4 - 6pm and to the Jr. Rangers group ( 10 - 12) on Friday June 29th from 4 - 6pm.

Limit 5 for Honeybees, Limit 6 for Chipmunks, limit 8 for Forest Explorers and Jr. Rangers.

$15 for non- members, $10 for members. Registration in advance with payment required. Please click here to download a brochure. Registration and membership fees can be submitted online ( go to the donate or membership pages) , we do ask that you mail a copy of the registration and release. Thank you!

About Saddler's Woods
Saddler's Woods is a 25 acre urban forest located in Haddon Township, New Jersey. Saddler's Woods surrounds the headwater spring of the main branch of the Newton Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River in Camden County, and is unique for its combined features of an old growth forest, young woodlands, a meadow, and wetlands all located within five miles of Philadelphia, PA. Every year, thousands of visitors enjoy Saddler's Woods for passive recreation and nature interpretation.

The old growth portion is a time-capsule, showing visitors the type of forest that once existed when the Arowmen and Erinwonek tribes of the Leni Lenape nation lived here. In the early 1600s, European settlers began to arrive and the forests were cleared for farms, timber, and fuel. In the 1800s, Joshua Saddler escaped a Maryland plantation to seek refuge among the large Quaker abolitionist population. Joshua Saddler found work with a local Quaker farmer, Cy Evans, and gained his freedom. He purchased a small farm and raised his family next to the woods. In 1868 Joshua Saddler wrote into his will that none of his heirs "shall cut the timber thereon". For this preservation ethic, the woods, were officially named in his honor in January 2004. Previously, the woods had never had any official name or designation.

Saddler's Woods Conservation Association
Saddler's Woods Conservation Association, SWCA, is a 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to education, restoration, and research of Saddler's Woods. Through programs, tours, hands on restoration, and field studies, we strive to promote the natural and cultural resources unique to this 25 acre urban forest.

Saddler's Woods Welcome Area 250 MacArthur Boulevard, Haddon Township, NJ 08108

The organization was formed by Haddon Township residents who were active in the movement to save the woods from an athletic fields development plan. But saving the woods was just the beginning. Unfortunately, Saddler's Woods had suffered decades of fragmentation and neglect. Since its preservation, SWCA volunteers have worked vigorously, logging hundreds of hours towards restoration and education. For its efforts, SWCA was honored by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, ANJEC, with an Environmental Achievement Award.

SWCA achieves its goals by partnering with community groups and area schools and by utilizing grant funds for restoration, education, and research. To date, SWCA has received grants from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Inc., the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Camden County's Open Space Clean Communities program, Conservation Resources Inc., REI, Marlton, the William G. Rohrer Charitable Foundation, and Subaru of America Inc..

SWCA, is managed by a volunteer board directors; three Advisory Directors, a Director of Communications,a Director of Education ( currently open), a Director of Forest Management, a Director of Finance and an Executive Director.

John Nystedt, Advisory Director
John applies his industry experience in an advisory capacity to the managing directors of SWCA. John is an associate at Andropogon Associates, Ltd. in Philadelphia, is a N.J. Certified Landscape Architect, and has 25 years of experience in landscape architecture and ecological planning.

Maggi Downham, Advisory Director
Maggi worked for many years to preserve Saddler's Woods, and was honored by the Delaware Riverkeeper organization and the Audubon Wildlife Society for her activism and stewardship. She is a teacher of business education with a Master of Arts Degree from Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey. Maggi serves on many local boards such as the environmental commission and the planning and zoning board and offers her experience on local history and civic relations to the managing directors of SWCA.

Robyn Jeney, Director of Forest Management
Robyn has worked for the New Jersey Pinelands Commission since graduating from Penn State University in 2004. She earned a Masters degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in December of 2008. Robyn is responsible for the active management of Saddler's Woods to restore and protect native habitat.

Jesse Buerk, Director of Communications
Jesse holds a Master's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and a Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He is currently employed with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Jesse is responsible for newsletters, media relations, and community outreach.

David Jacobs, Director of Finance
In addition to assisting with activities in the woods, David maintains the financial records for the association and pursues grant opportunities. David received his B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of New Jersey.

Kristen Kwasek, Director of Education and Community Outreach
Kristen received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology from Montclair State University. While in graduate school she was a graduate assistant at the New Jersey School of Conservation where she taught various age groups about the environment. With her passion for ecology, conservation, and teaching she is working to expand the education department and programs for SWCA.

Janet Goehner-Jacobs, Executive Director
Janet has over 15 years of management experience. Janet was active in the movement to save Saddler's Woods from development and worked to found an organization dedicated to Saddler's Woods when preserved. Janet executes grants, oversees daily operations, and ensures that SWCA succeeds in its core initiatives of restoration, education and research.

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