{"id":997,"date":"2022-01-14T03:06:29","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T03:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/?page_id=997"},"modified":"2026-03-06T16:56:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T21:56:02","slug":"updates-upcoming-activities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/updates-upcoming-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"Sparta Mountain WMA &#8211; Updates &amp; Upcoming Activities"},"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=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">|<\/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=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">|<\/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=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">|<\/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=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">|<\/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=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">|<\/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=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">|<\/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=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">|<\/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 wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/public.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/NJDEP\/subscriber\/new?topic_id=NJDEP_24\" style=\"background-color:#f89425\">Subscribe to 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 wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/updates-upcoming-activities\/\" style=\"background-color:#f89425\">Updates and Upcoming Activities<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/stewardship-plan\/\" style=\"background-color:#f89425\">Stewardship Plan<\/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 wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mt-fsp-public-info-session-20170509.pdf\" style=\"background-color:#f89425\">Information 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=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Upcoming Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">2026\/27 Planned Activity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Stand 9b Open-canopy Forest Restoration<\/strong><\/strong>: In accordance with the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-fsp-addendum-final-7-9-21.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2021 Addendum<\/strong><\/a> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-file-pdf\" style=\"color: #dc3545\"><\/i> and the approved <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/smwma_approved_forest_stewardship_plan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan<\/strong><\/a> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-file-pdf\" style=\"color: #dc3545\"><\/i>, forest management activities in the form of a shelterwood prescription will be implemented on 10 acres within Stand 9 next fall\/winter (November 2026 \u2013 March 2027). This prescription will likely retain around 40 sq. ft. of basal area per acre across the 10-acre site to promote the growth of young oak trees and native shade intolerant and mid-tolerant understory vegetation, resulting in an open-canopy oak forest that will provide habitat for many wildlife species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oak and hickory trees in the co-dominant or dominant size classes that are of good vigor will be retained as well as some trees that have high wildlife value (i.e. stems with advanced decay, cavities or exfoliating bark). Desirable trees that are underrepresented in the area (e.g. white oak and black cherry) may also be retained. Additionally, white ash stems that do not already exhibit characteristics of Emerald Ash Borer infestation may be preserved to retain genetic diversity in the event those individuals are resistant to the insect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NJDEP Fish &amp; Wildlife is seeking feedback on this specific activity during the public comment period, which will be open January 31 through March 31, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please note the draft location depicted in the maps is larger than acres in size and in compliance with the site-selection criteria (outside the buffers) outlined in the July 2021 Addendum. Management activities will occur only on 10 acres within the designated area. The boundaries of the 10-acre site where management activities will occur will be finalized after the comment period ends. Due to contract procedures and costs, and as identified in the 2021 Addendum, once the location is field marked no further&nbsp;comments or changes can be entertained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Work will begin on or after November 16, 2026, and all tree felling will be completed by or before March 31, 2027. Any tree stands, blinds, or other items remaining in this area when work begins will be removed. For safety reasons, this area will be temporarily closed to unauthorized personnel while work is being conducted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More information about previous management activities, including site-specific reports, can be found online at <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/stewardship-plan\/\">https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/stewardship-plan\/<\/a>.<\/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\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-791x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-791x1024.png 791w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-232x300.png 232w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-768x994.png 768w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-1187x1536.png 1187w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-1583x2048.png 1583w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-scaled.png 1978w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><\/a><\/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-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-closeup-scaled.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-closeup-791x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-closeup-791x1024.png 791w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-closeup-232x300.png 232w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-closeup-768x994.png 768w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-closeup-1187x1536.png 1187w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-closeup-1583x2048.png 1583w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-mountain-wma-draft-site-map-winter-2026-27-stand-9b-closeup-scaled.png 1978w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Completed Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Information about all the completed forestry activities on Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area can be found on <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/stewardship-plan\/\"><strong>the Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan Implementation<\/strong><\/a><strong> website.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">More Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/smwma_approved_forest_stewardship_plan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan<\/a><\/strong> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-file-pdf\" style=\"color: #dc3545\"><\/i><br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/sparta-fsp-addendum-final-7-9-21.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Addendum to the 2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan<\/a><\/strong> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-file-pdf\" style=\"color: #dc3545\"><\/i><br><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/stewardship-plan\"><strong>Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Implementation<\/strong><\/a><br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/sparta\/\">Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Homepage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Upcoming Activities 2026\/27 Planned Activity Stand 9b Open-canopy Forest Restoration: In accordance with the&nbsp;2021 Addendum and the approved 2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan , forest management activities in the form of a shelterwood prescription will be implemented on 10 acres within Stand 9 next fall\/winter (November 2026 \u2013 March 2027). This prescription will [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":16875,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-997","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/997","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\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=997"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/997\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65209,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/997\/revisions\/65209"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}