NJ Forest Stewardship Bill Heads To Governor Christie For Signature

TRENTON, NJ –-(Ammoland.com)- Nearly five years ago members of the NJOA CF put together a tour of a south Jersey forest for legislators as an example of the declining state of affairs of New Jersey forests.

The tour was given by forester, Bob Williams, and a key participant was Senator Bob Smith. This tour became the inspiration for the Forest Stewardship bill, which over time attracted the support and endorsement of organizations such as; the N.J. Audubon Society, the N.J. Farm Bureau, the N.J. Conservation Foundation, the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, the N.J. Forestry Association, the Nature Conservancy, the N.J. Tree Farm Program, the N.J. Society of American Foresters, and other groups and individuals.

Forests provide many life-sustaining functions. They act as a “sponge” following rainfall, which in turn reduces erosion and allows water to seep into the soil, nourishing plants and filtering pollutants from groundwater. Forest canopies provide the shade that helps maintain the cooler stream temperatures aquatic organisms need. Forests remove large amounts of greenhouse gases and particulates from the air and store carbon in leaves and woody matter.

Forests are habitats, and healthy forests provide diverse and healthy wildlife. In short, forests are essential to all living things; we are therefore obligated to forest stewardship.

The NJOA CF would like to thank all of our legislators who voted in favor of the bill. We would also thank Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Oliver for allowing their respective houses to vote on the bill. A special thanks goes to the following legislators for sponsoring the bill:

• Smith, Bob as Primary Sponsor
• Norcross, Donald as Primary Sponsor
• McKeon, John F. as Primary Sponsor
• Moriarty, Paul D. as Primary Sponsor
• Chivukula, Upendra J. as Primary Sponsor
• Oroho, Steven V. as Co-Sponsor

Shortly, the NJOA CF will send an action alert with a means for conservationists and outdoors enthusiasts to ask Governor Christie to sign the bill into law.

The link that follows provides background on the bill from my perspective.

https://anthonypmaurosr.webs.com/apps/blog/show/18194890-forests-need-our-intellectual-honesty-and-stewardship

Members of NJOA Conservation Foundation.

Saltwater & Freshwater Angling Organizations

• Jersey Coast Angler Association
• Trout Unlimited
• NJ Beach Buggy Association
• Hudson River Fishermen’s Association
• Reef Rescue
• Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association
• Jersey Coast Shark Anglers
• Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club
• Hi-Mar Striper Club
• Round Valley Trout Association
• Berkeley Striper Club
• Raritan Bay Anglers Club
• Sandy Hook Bay Anglers

Hunting & Trapping Organizations

• New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (also “Fishing”)
• United Bowhunters of NJ
• NJ Trappers Association
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• Ruffed Grouse Society
• United Blood Trackers
• Sunrise Rod and Gun Club (also “Fishing”)
• NJ Fur Harvesters
• New Jersey Waterfowlers Association

Forestry Organizations

• New Jersey Forestry Association
• Society of American Foresters

Animal Welfare Organizations

• National Animal Interest Alliance

Diving Organizations

• NJ Council of Diving Clubs

Conservation, Political, Environmental Stewardship Organizations

• New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

JOIN NJOA: https://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html

About:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earths resources. Visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org