For the past year, the Forked River Mountain Coalition has been busy working to permanently protect this vast wilderness.  Below are just some of  our accomplishments for 2007 and some of our future goals for 2008, and beyond .

2007 Accomplishments

Acquired an 11-acre parcel in the environmentally sensitive Cedar Creek watershed and began negotiations on another.

  Continued our vital work to document the presence of threatened and endangered species.

Continued working on the Elizabeth Meirs Morgan hiking and interpretive trail system.

Awarded two more scholarships to honor founding members Elizabeth M. Morgan and John A. Sly and continued work for the placement of a memorial at our Oak Leaf Preserve.

Conducted our Fourteenth Annual Spring Cleanup. A whopping 36 tons of trash was removed. To date, more than 393 tons of debris has been removed from the vast Pinelands forest surrounding the Forked River Mountains.

Sponsored and participated in a variety of educational events, like the Barnegat Bay Festival and Pine Barrens Jamboree, to promote a greater awareness about the importance and significance of the Forked River Mountain area.

Continued to publish our newsletter, "Forked River Mountain Views," and update our website (www.frmc.org) to report on our activities and educate the public about conservation and stewardship efforts.

Continue plant and wildlife studies. We must understand the habitat requirements of threatened and endangered species if we are to ensure their survival here and else where.

Continue work on a comprehensive trails system for the Forked River Mountain area.  Eventually over 20 miles of hiking, interpretive, mountain biking, horseback, cross-country skiing and motor vehicle trails are possible.

Maintain and expand our web site to bring you all the important information and news you need to know about the Forked River Mountains and the Coalition.

Award scholarships in honor of the late Elizabeth M. Morgan and John A. Sly of Forked River, found members of the Coalition, and complete work for a memorial at our Oak Leaf Preserve.

Conduct the annual spring cleanup, our annual canoe trip and treefrog hike and participate in the annual Barnegat Bay Festival, Pine Barrens Jamboree and other educational events to promote greater awareness about the importance and significance of the Forked River Mountain area.

     But we can only realize our goals with your help.  If you are not currently a member of the Coalition and would like to join, or if you are a member and have not yet renewed your membership, simply complete the membership form.  Be sure to mark the appropriate box and return the form along with your membership dues for 2008.  Please help support the grass-roots initiative to permanently protect the Forked River Mountains and the vast wilderness that surrounds them.