Healthy forests protect clean water, which is why Raritan Headwaters is working to plant 10,000 trees over 4 years throughout the Upper Raritan watershed.
In 2021, RHA was chosen for a $525,000 grant by the Natural Resource Trustees overseeing a $25M Raritan River Watershed restoration project to compensate for environmental damages at the Cornell-Dubilier Superfund site. The Trustees are working with local partners, including Raritan Headwaters to restore water resources, improve wildlife habitats, and increase recreation opportunities.
Since receiving the grant, RHA has overseen the planting of thousands of native trees and shrubs throughout the watershed, and on October 14th, the borough of Far Hills pitched in on the effort. Mayor Kevin Welsh, Councilwoman Mary Chimenti and Planning Board Vice Chairman Robert Lewis joined our Restoration Coordinator, Robert Lucas and a group of 22 volunteers at the Far Hills Fairgrounds where they planted 150 native trees and shrubs in the flood plain of the North Branch of the Raritan River. These trees will help keep that stretch of the North Branch cool, improve aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and filter stormwater runoff.
The Bedminster Township Department of Public Works contributed to the project by augering the holes prior to the tree planting and have been helping to water the newly-planted trees, a much needed task given the local rainfall shortage.
Forests are a major contributor to water quality in the Upper Raritan watershed. Trees shade river and stream corridors to keep water temperatures cool, providing better habitat for trout and other aquatic creatures. Trees help stabilize stream banks, absorb and slow floodwater, and remove sediments and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. They are also natural air filters, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen into the air.
We are grateful to the Borough of Far Hills for their help in meeting RHA’s goal to plant 10,000 trees throughout the watershed and for their contribution to protecting clean water.
