Avalon Achieves Third Approved Community Forestry Plan

AVALON — The Borough of Avalon is being recognized for a milestone achievement from the State of New Jersey which has formally approved the Borough’s third five-year Community Forestry Management plan. The approval was delivered to Mayor Martin Pagliughi from Carrie Sargeant, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
“Avalon is proud to have an approved Community Forestry Management Plan for 15 years”, Mayor Pagliughi said. “This shows that Avalon’s stewardship of its natural resources and science-based approach to the management of various tree and forestry issues is logical, efficient, researched, and implemented to the satisfaction of the New Jersey DEP. I want to personally thank the State for looking favorably upon the Borough’s latest plan. Contrary to the opinion of a few individuals who choose to remain misguided and uninformed about Avalon’s forestry management approach and philosophies, the Borough appreciates the high level of support from our community, forestry experts, and State and Federal leaders who all work together to protect and enhance our tree management throughout the Borough”.
A Community Forestry Management Plan approved by the New Jersey State Forest Service is an essential guide to successfully achieving a healthy, safe, and sustainable community forest. The Plan also ensures that the Borough has taken the necessary first step toward compliance with the Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act. Compliance by the Borough of Avalon affords the community increased liability protection under the Tort Claims Act.
The Avalon Environmental Commission has worked with the Borough’s consultant, the Lomax Consulting Group of Cape May Court House, NJ to develop the last two approved Community Forestry Plans for the Borough of Avalon. Avalon is the home to one of the few beachfront maritime forests in New Jersey and its management of this valuable ecological resource has drawn praise from State and Federal forestry officials.
These management efforts have resulted in the establishment of goals and objectives to provide forest and tree streetscapes for the benefit of the residents, visitors and inhabitants of the naturally occurring forest biotic communities. Valuable input has been provided to various tree and forestry initiatives by the Avalon Environmental Commission, Avalon Planning and Zoning Board, Avalon Green Team, and the Avalon Garden Club. The maintenance and enhancement of Avalon’s natural resources and forest remain consistent with the Avalon Master Plan and the Sustainable Jersey Program, of which Avalon remains a certified community.
“Avalon continues to align the guidance and expertise of the Avalon Environmental Commission, the Lomax Consulting Group, and other resources to ensure the sustainability of the Borough’s environmental assets”, said Council President Dick Dean. “We look forward to the opportunity to continue our efforts addressing environmental and ecological initiatives in our community”.
This year, Avalon received a $24,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the management of its Japanese Black Pines in the Maritime Forest which are threatened by the Southern Pine Beetle and the Blue Stain Fungus. A monoculture has developed with Japanese Black Pines, a non-native tree, which threatens native vegetation and suppresses ecological diversity in the dunes. A plan approved by the State Forest Service will systematically remove dead and threatened pine trees from the dunes. The trees will be replaced with naturally-growing and planted vegetation native to the Avalon dunes and on Avalon’s Approved Vegetation List. Ron Concory, Southern Pine Beetle Project Manager from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection/State Forestry Services, met with Avalon officials on Friday, June 3rd and approved Avalon’s management of the State grant.
The Avalon Environmental Commission provides ample education on the Avalon Maritime Forest through the creation of the Avalon Dune and Beach Trail. The Trail was funded through a grant provided by the Cape May County Open Space Program and includes ten interpretive signs on the 44th Street and 48th Street beach paths that provide education and information about the ecosystem that exists in the Avalon Dune System. An interactive website supports the education program, www.avalonduneandbeachtrail.com.