Friends for the Abbott Marshlands (FFAM) Announces Mark Gallagher to Board of Trustees

Hamilton and Bordentown, NJ: The Friends for the Abbott Marshlands (FFAM) is pleased to announce the addition of  Mark Gallagher to their Board of Trustees. “Mark is a pioneer in the field of restoration ecology, and helped get the conservation science movement off the ground in the 1980s… He has overseen wetland and terrestrial ecology projects at Princeton Hydro, including many complex restoration projects that require unique solutions. He is extremely knowledgeable about local, state, and federal regulations, especially when it comes to ecological impact. Mark has made a positive impact on water quality and wildlife, designing and permitting hundreds of acres of restoration, mitigation, and enhancement projects throughout the Northeast.” (https://princetonhydro.com)

Mark had received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NJ Highlands Coalition recognizing his decades of work protecting environmental, cultural, natural and scenic NJ resources. In his role as Cofounder and Vice President at Princeton Hydro, Mark knows the land at Abbott Marshlands – Roebling Park through the treatment and ongoing eradication of invasive phragmites (Phragmites australis).. Although there is a subspecies of phragmites that is native in the U.S., it is rare. The invasive species is not a valuable food source for waterfowl. It grows quickly into a monoculture, blocking out the native species which animals depend on for survival. Removing the invasive species was paramount to allowing the native seeds in the marsh’ banks to have a chance to grow. Seeds like wild rice and others have indeed grown with access to sunlight and nutrients in the marsh. The Friends for the Abbott Marshlands feel fortunate to have Mark’s experience and expertise as an addition to their executive board.

One of two recent FFAM events was a successful, sold-out fundraiser at the Tulpehaking Nature Center at Abbott Marshlands – Roebling Park, Hamilton. Trivia Night host Righteous Jolly kept the group laughing on November 2; food and drinks were enjoyed by all, and the top teams scored well in their overall knowledge. The Friends for the Abbott Marshlands members appreciated donations from corporate sponsors: PSEG, NJM Insurance Group, Wegmans and Salon Bellissimo. They thank Mercer County Park Commission; Kelly Rypkema, director and the staff at the Tulpehaking Nature Center, the FFAM Fundraising Committee and volunteers. They especially are thankful for their guests in support of the nonprofit’s mission to preserve, protect and allow all to enjoy the natural beauty of the marshlands.

The second event was the visitation of published author and botanist, Jared Rosenbaum of Wild Ridge Plants, who presented an excellent, thought-provoking talk on Wild Plant Culture at the Tulpehaking Nature Center at Abbott Marshlands – Roebling Park, Hamilton. Participants were able to purchase an autographed copy of his book, “Wild Plant Culture: A Guide to Restoring Edible and Medicinal Native Plant Communities”. Integrating restoration practices, foraging, herbalism, rewilding and permaculture, the book is a comprehensive guide to the ecological restoration of native habitats in any location. Jared Rosenbaum is also a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner. He is a founding partner at Wild Ridge Plants LLC, a business that grows local ecotype native plants using sustainable practices and he performs botanical surveys. Besides Wild Plant Culture, he also wrote a children’s book The Puddle Garden, about native plants and wildlife.