Left: Highland Woods trail head on Sylvania Place. Right: Dr. Emil DeVito instructs Girl Scouts in October of 2000.

Contact us at: [email protected]
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Today is


Left: The Nature Center consists of a classroom and activity center. Right: Kennedy students tour in November 1999.

Last updated: July 8, 2008

WHO WE ARE
The Friends of the Woods organization is a group of adult and youth volunteers who maintain the tails at Highland Avenue Woods Environmental Education Reserve. The group began as a sub-committee of the South Plainfield Environmental Commission. It is now an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to:

*Promoting the conservation of the natural resources of Highland Woods
*Fostering public understanding and appreciation of Highland Woods
*Engaging in activities that will support environmental education


Left: Roosevelt Environmental Club students at Station 9 assend the upland plateau in 1993. Right: The presentation of the grant-sponsored Field Guide to Dr. Lillian DeSimon, Assistant Supt. of Schools, 1999.

Membership in the Friends of the Woods offers many benefits and every membership supports the reserve or Nature Center. As a member, you can....

*Become involved as volunteers
*Receive a quarterly newsletter
*Have opportunities to participate in special member-only events
*Contribute to the improvement of the Reserve


Left: Bobcat Sauders instructs walkers on the edible plants found at HAW (1999). Right: Jim Miller's 5th graders tour in 1999 prior to Stokes trip.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers play a key role in helping the Friends of the Woods fulfill its mission. There are a variety of opportunities and many ways to help.

The amount of time you volunteer is up to each individual -- once a year, a few hours each month, or by helping at one or more events.

Nature Center Docent: Welcome visitors, answer questions, provide information. Can you spend 3 hours a month on a Saturday or Sunday?

Special Events: Assit with evening or weekend programs -- set-up, welcoming visitors, refreshments, clean-up.

Go Native: Help create and maintain native plant gardens at the Nature Center.

Trail Maintenance: Join a work crew for Spring and Fall trail maintenance days.

Education: Conduct or assist with scheduled school, scout or group tours, usually 2-3 hours long. Answer questions, show video programs, provide orientation to the Reserve. Must be available on weekdays.


Left: FOW organized a trip to Sandy Hook. Right: Award-winning 1999 Labor Day float.

Publicity Manager: Develops media contacts, writes press releases, identifies and develops other publicity avenues.

Publication Director: Writes and produces education material, trail guides, publicity fliers.

Newspaper Columnist: Writes a monthly column for the local press on current or seasonal offerings at H.A.W.

Membership Coordinator: Recruits dues-paying members and provides membership services such as newsletter mailings.

Grant Writer: Researches and writes grants to help support the mission of the Friends and the Reserve.

Puppeteers: Read stories and teach simple, scripted environmental lessons to youngsters at the Nature Center's puppet theater -- "Kritter Korner."


Left: Dr. Alice Tempel instructs the South Plainfield High School Environmental Club. Right: Mr. Cefalo's 8th grade class plants wildflowers in June 2002.

MEMBERSHIP
If you would like to become a member, please send your name, address, phone number and e-mail address, along with a check for $10 (flat fee for family and individual) written to Friends of the Woods, to: F.O.W. c/o Miele, 123 Elliott Place, So. Plainfield, NJ 07080.


Kennedy School students examine tracks in the mud.


Left: Summer Solstice program with Dave Street. Right: Dr. Emil DeVito leads a group of adults and youths over the bridge at Station 2.