{"id":16875,"date":"2022-06-08T14:38:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T14:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/?page_id=16875"},"modified":"2022-08-02T14:57:48","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T18:57:48","slug":"sparta","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/","title":{"rendered":"Sparta Mountain WMA &#8211; Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<nav style=\"color: #f89425; font-size:16.5px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;\" class=\"has-text-color is-responsive items-justified-center wp-block-navigation is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sparta\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.5\" width=\"16\" height=\"1.5\" \/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"15\" width=\"16\" height=\"1.5\" \/><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-1\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-async--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-1-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul style=\"color: #f89425; font-size:16.5px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__container has-text-color is-responsive items-justified-center wp-block-navigation\"><li style=\"font-size: 16.5px;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 16.5px;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/harvest-methods\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Harvest Methods<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 16.5px;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/wildlife-habitats\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Wildlife Habitats<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 16.5px;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/young-and-old-growth-forests\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Young &amp; Old Growth Forests<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 16.5px;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/minimize-impact\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Minimize Impact<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 16.5px;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/careful-planning\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Careful Planning<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 16.5px;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/successes\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Successes<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 16.5px;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/news-events\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">News &amp; Events<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/public.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/NJDEP\/subscriber\/new?topic_id=NJDEP_24\" style=\"background-color:#f89425\">Subscribe to SMWMA Newsletter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/updates-upcoming-activities\/\" style=\"background-color:#f89425\">Sparta Mountain WMA Updates and Upcoming Activities<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mt-fsp-public-info-session-20170509.pdf\" style=\"background-color:#f89425\">Sparta Mountain WMA Informational Session Presentation &#8211; May 9, 2017<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Here at Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area, we&#8217;re creating young forests and fostering the growth of old forests. Just as our human society needs senior citizens and pre-schoolers, our woods need young trees that will one day grow to be old trees.<br><br><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Beginning in 2009, the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife partnered with New Jersey Audubon Society to create and implement a Forest Stewardship Plan at Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area (Sparta Mountain WMA). From 2010-2022 we performed forest management on 99.5 acres, which accounts for less than 3% of the total property. Surveys at the managed areas show an increase of bird species and numbers and excellent plant regeneration that has been minimally impacted by deer and invasive plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/smwma_approved_forest_stewardship_plan.pdf\">2017 Forest Stewardship Plan for Sparta Mountain WMA<\/a> (pdf, 38.6 mb) intended to leave 82% of the the property\u2019s 3,461 acres as it is and manage 18%. On 9%,&nbsp;we planned to retain most of the trees and create characteristics similar to old-growth forests. Of the remaining 9%, we planned to manage 3% to retain about half the trees in order to increase vegetation growth under the canopy and 6%, for young and open forest habitats, where few trees will be retained. This management combination provides more diverse habitats for a greater variety of wildlife species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2021, an <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-fsp-addendum-final-7-9-21-1.pdf\">Addendum to the 2017 Forest Stewardship Plan<\/a> (pdf, 300kb) was created as a compromise with stakeholders who had concerns with cutting trees. This compromise limited the total area managed under the 2017 Forest Stewardship Plan on Sparta Mountain WMA to 87.7 acres, 3% of the total property, and further clarified where and how those activities will take place. If all activities outlined in the Addendum are implemented, when combined with previous activities about 96% of the property&#8217;s 3,461 acres will be left as is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><br><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/stewardship-plan\">Implementation of the 2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/conservation\/forest-songbird-project\/\">Forest Songbird Project<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/old-growth-is-great-but-heres-why-we-need-new-growth-forests-too\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Old-Growth Is Great, But Here&#8217;s Why We Need New-Growth Forests, Too<\/a>&nbsp;(Living Bird magazine, Cornell Lab of Ornithology)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Listen to the diversity of birds calling at a management site at Sparta Mountain WMA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Recorded on June 13, 2016 at 4:42 a.m., four years after the management activities on this 13.5 acre parcel<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"251\" height=\"325\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/golden-winged-warbler-usfws.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17049\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/smwma-jun-13-361107.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/smwma-jun-13-361107.mp3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alternate Audio Link<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">What is the Purpose of the Forest Stewardship Plan at Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/icon_bird.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17056\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/wildlife-habitats\/\">Wildlife Habitat<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In New Jersey, we have a significant diversity of wildlife. But some species are in decline due to fewer habitats to nest, forage, and raise their young, specifically, in young forests. This plan takes into consideration these threatened and endangered species and creates more habitat that will allow these species to thrive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/icon_young.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17059\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/young-and-old-growth-forests\/\">Young &amp; Old Growth Forests<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The majority of woods at Sparta Mountain WMA are mature or middle aged. These woods are quite valuable to many species, but so are old growth and young forests too. We seek to maintain the mature forests, foster old growth forests, and create new young forests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/icon_caution.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17058\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/minimize-impact\/\">Minimize Impacts<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We realize that our efforts will initially impact the environment. As biologists and foresters, we want to make sure the impact is minimal and that the ecosystem is not only restored quickly, but also has greater value than it did before the management. We take into consideration rare plants, wetlands best management practices, the spread of invasive species, and an abundance of deer which may impact regeneration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/icon_jigsaw.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17057\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/careful-planning\/\">Careful Planning<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>All forest management projects on DEP lands are reviewed by experts in many fields. Rare plants experts, biologists, and foresters all review and add recommendations that will provide the least amount of impact for the entire ecosystem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here at Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area, we&#8217;re creating young forests and fostering the growth of old forests. Just as our human society needs senior citizens and pre-schoolers, our woods need young trees that will one day grow to be old trees. Beginning in 2009, the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife partnered with New Jersey [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":254,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-16875","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/254"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16875"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16875\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}