MERCER COUNTY WILDLIFE CENTER SEEKS VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

TRENTON, N.J.—Mercer County Wildlife Center, which accepted and treated 2,100 birds, mammals and reptiles in 2011, is seeking individuals who would like to volunteer their time to care for animals brought to the Hopewell Township facility.

The Center’s staff and volunteers care for native wildlife that are injured, ill or displaced, and provide medical treatment and a temporary refuge to prepare the animals for release into an appropriate, wild habitat. The Center is staffed 365 days a year by one full-time licensed wildlife rehabilitator and two full-time assistants and receives more than 12,000 phone calls annually.

“This facility is one-of-a-kind both in terms of quality of care provided by the staff, including five veterinarians, and the high volume of animals that are treated,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “And the many volunteers who assist our Wildlife Center are indispensable. I urge anyone who might be interested to volunteer.”

The Mercer County Wildlife Center, a facility of the Mercer County Park Commission, has scheduled its 2012 volunteer orientation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, February 26, 2012 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the center. Those who are interested are required to attend only one of the two sessions.

To work directly with the animals, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, have had a current tetanus vaccine, and are required to attend one orientation session. No other sessions will be offered this year. The Center requires that volunteers who work with animals make a commitment to a regular, once-a-week, four-hour shift from April through October. This commitment is necessary because of the feeding schedule requirements and housing demands of the animals.

The Mercer County Wildlife Center is located on Route 29, approximately 3 miles south of Lambertville and 12 miles north of Trenton. Anyone interested in registering for either orientation session or needing more information can call Volunteer Coordinator Jane Rakos-Yates at (609) 883-6606 x103.

Visit Mercer County on the Web at www.mercercounty.org

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUSWASTE
& USED ELECTRONICS
COLLECTION EVENTS

Sponsored by the
MERCER COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2012
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

Materials only accepted on these dates
between 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. • Rain or Shine

John T. Dempster Fire School
Bakers Basin/Lawrence Station Road • Lawrence Township

See here for more info.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                     
Jan. 11, 2012

DEP URGES ALL HOMEOWNERS TO TEST FOR RADON; HONORS TOWNS, COUNTIES, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS FOR RADON PREVENTION EFFORTS

(P12/5)  TRENTON - Homeowners in New Jersey are being advised by the Department of Environmental Protection to check this month for an unwanted visitor to your premises: namely colorless, odorless, and tasteless radon, a naturally occurring gas that could seep into your home without a warning, and which could cause cancer.

Governor Chris Christie has pronounced January as Radon Action Month in New Jersey, as part of a national effort to call attention to the potential dangers of radon, and to encourage home and apartment owners to check this month for presence of radon via a simple and low-cost test.   

“This is all about the health and safety of you and your family,’’ said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “Through an easy and inexpensive test, the level of radon exposure in homes, apartments, schools, and other buildings can be determined. It’s worth the cost and effort.’’

Eight towns, health departments and organizations in New Jersey are being honored by the DEP this month for 2011 efforts to call attention to the potential dangers of radon. Radon Action Partnership Awards recipients are Atlantic County Healthy Living Coalition; Bergen County Department of Health Services; Galloway Township; Jefferson Township Health Department; Livingston Department of Health, Welfare, and Human Services; North Plainfield; Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management; and the Passaic County Department of Health.

“Their enthusiasm, leadership, and innovation were evident in numerous activities that were conducted during 2011 National Radon Action Month, and throughout last year,’’ said Anita Kopera, the DEP’s Radon Section Supervisor. “Efforts included public presentations and public service announcements, website postings, radon test kit distribution, press releases, exhibits at housing, environmental, and health fairs; and proclamations and radon awareness displays.’’

Radon is a radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of naturally occurring uranium in soil and rock. Low levels of uranium occur widely in the Earth’s crust, and can be found in all 50 states.

Radon enters buildings through openings that are in contact with the ground, such as cracks in the foundation, sump pits, and small openings around pipes. Radon decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe, which could damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer due to prolonged radon exposure.

The New Jersey Radon Potential Map shows that the northwest part of the State, particularly Sussex, Warren, Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon counties, plus sections of Mercer and Monmouth counties, have the highest radon concentrations. But radon is also found in more moderate levels in many other counties, too.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency estimates radon causes 21,000 deaths annually. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. For these reasons, the DEP is encouraging homeowners to test their homes for radon and take appropriate action to deal with high radon levels. 

The DEP and EPA both recommend that you take action to mitigate your home if test results indicate radon levels of 4 pCi/L (4 picocuries per liter) of radon or more. Even residents in moderate and low radon potential areas should test their homes.

Residents can test for radon themselves or hire a New Jersey certified radon measurement business to perform the testing. Check with your local health department to find out if they provide either free or low-cost radon test devices.

Devices also are available from certified radon measurement businesses through mail order, and test devices are often available in hardware stores. If the device is purchased at a retail store, make sure the kit is labeled with the New Jersey certification number of the company that produced the test kit (the number will begin with “MEB9” followed by 4 digits). If you hire a contractor to conduct the test, make sure the technician who places and picks up the test device is certified by the State.

Lists of New Jersey certified testing and mitigation businesses and general radon information are available at www.njradon.org or call the Radon Section Information Line at (800) 648-0394 or (609) 984-5425.

To access the New Jersey Radon Potential Map, visit: www.njradon.org/radonin.htm

Also, 175 students across the state participated in the New Jersey Radon Poster Contest to help to raise awareness about harmful effects of elevated levels of indoor radon. The first, second and third place winners are: Rahul Ramanathan, York Art Studio in Bridgewater; Issac Yi, Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia; Diana Guadarrama, Buena Regional Middle School in Buena. The school with the most entries was Buena Regional Middle School in Buena.
 
To view the top three New Jersey 2011 entries visit: www.njradon.org/PosterWinners.htm

DEP ADVISES RESIDENTS TO RECYCLE TVS AND COMPUTERS, AS SUCCESSFUL E-WASTE RECYCLING PROGRAM ENTERS SECOND YEAR

(P12/2) TRENTON - Unwanted televisions, computers, electronic tablets, e-book readers, and monitors that have been replaced by new electronic holiday gifts cannot be tossed into the trash but must be recycled as required by the state’s one-year-old Electronic Waste Management Act, which generated an estimated 40 million pounds of recycled e-waste last year in New Jersey, DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said today.

This is a five-fold increase in e-waste tonnage over the approximately 8 million pounds collected in 2010, and an amount that is expected to increase this year as the program expands and improves in all 21 counties in New Jersey.

“This program has been a great initial success in helping to clean up our state, to ensure these old TVs and computers do not end up in landfills or incinerators,’’ said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “But we still have to fill gaps in this program to ensure that all appropriate electronic waste is recycled and that everyone has convenient options for recycling.’’

Electronic waste makes up 2 percent of the solid waste disposed in New Jersey. But as a result of consumer demand for new technologies, and subsequent disposal of old devices, e-waste is growing two to three times faster than any other component of the solid waste stream.

Those discarded TVs, computers and computer monitors contain lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, zinc, brominated flame retardants, and other materials. Cathode Ray Tubes, or CRTs, contain large amounts of lead that is used to shield consumers from radiation.

Improperly handling discarded electronics, without proper controls, or simply tossing the materials in the trash can expose hazardous chemical compounds that are known to negatively affect human and environmental health.

The Electronic Waste Management Act, which took effect Jan. 1, 2011, bans disposal of televisions and all personal or portable computers - including desktop, notebook and laptop computers, as well as computer monitors - in the regular waste stream. Manufacturers of these devices now fund the collection of e-waste so that it is free for consumers.

State residents can no longer put TVs, computers and monitors out on the curb for regular trash collection pickup. Instead, these items must be taken to a drop-off point, such as a county or municipal solid waste collection center or a participating electronics retail store. Best Buy stores statewide and community-based service programs, most notably Goodwill Industries and the Salvation Army, also accept these materials.
The Electronic Waste Management Act does not cover cell phones, DVD players, VCRs, game consoles, or other electronic devices, although some retailers and service organizations provide opportunities for recycling these items.

“The DEP is seeking to improve understanding of the e-waste recycling law and improve compliance in 2012 through education, including a planned major e-waste outreach and education campaign,’’ said DEP Assistant Commissioner of Environmental Management Jane Kozinski. “So, whether you received a new television, iPad or desktop computer or gave one as a gift, be sure to tell your family and friends of this new system to handle your e-waste.’’

Residents should contact their county solid waste agency or municipal recycling coordinator for e-waste recycling options currently available in their cities and towns.

For more information on New Jersey’s E-Cycle program, including a list of e-waste recycling locations statewide, a connection to all 21 county recycling web sites, and  information for consumers on “front door’’ pickup service to deal with extra heavy televisions or for people with special needs, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/ewaste/index.html

(11/P141) TRENTON - The dramatic recovery of the American bald eagle has reached a milestone in New Jersey, with more than 100 pairs now nesting in the Garden State, according to a newly released analysis of the species’ population.

The survey by the DEP’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program counted 102 pairs of actively nesting eagles, plus 11 more pairs in the process of establishing nesting territories. The survey documented a record 22 new nests, of which 16 are in southern New Jersey, four in northern New Jersey and two in central New Jersey.

“The recovery of the bald eagle from one nesting pair in an isolated swamp in southern New Jersey in the early 1980s to more than 100 pairs today is a truly remarkable success story that is a testament to the excellent work that has been done to manage the species, and to how far we’ve come as a state in restoring and protecting our environment,” DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said.

The species’ recovery from the edge of extirpation is directly related to a ban on the use of DDT, a once widely-used pesticide that caused egg failure, as well as decades of restoration and management efforts by the DEP, which released 60 eaglets from Canada into New Jersey in the 1980s and early 1990s to rebuild the population.

Each January, the Endangered and Nongame Species Program conducts a mid-winter survey as part of a nationwide effort to track population trends. The survey coincides with the time of year when eagles are preparing nests for the breeding season.

Statewide, 75 percent of the nests successfully produced offspring. A total of 119 eagle chicks were hatched, for a success rate of 1.25 per active nest.

The overall number of eagles counted during the mid-winter survey, including nesting eagles and those not nesting, stood at 238. This was 28 percent lower than the record 333 observed in 2010, likely due to snow and high winds impairing the visibility of observers.

Eagles primarily depend on fish for survival. With its broad expanses of undisturbed coastal wetlands, the Delaware Bay region of Cumberland and Salem counties remains the state’s stronghold, with 60 percent of bald eagle nests.  

But eagles are being found in many more places. Eighteen of New Jersey’s 21 counties now have at least one active nest.

“In addition to the continued increase in the overall numbers of eagles, what’s really exciting is that they are being found all across the state in all types of habitats, including along small lakes and reservoirs in northern New Jersey,” said Kathy Clark, an Endangered and Nongame Species Program biologist who has worked on the recovery of the eagle since the program’s early days.

This year, the Endangered and Nongame Species Program fitted a pair of eagle chicks that hatched at the Merrill Creek Reservoir in central Warren County with solar-powered transmitters that allow tracking of the birds’ movement patterns by satellites.

The public can follow the movements of the two eaglets on the reservoir’s website at www.merrillcreek.org.  The Conserve Wildlife Foundation maintains a blog about these and the rest of New Jersey’s eagles at www.ConserveWildlifeNJ.org

“The tremendous results of 2011 show that species declines can, with hard work and dedication, be reversed,” said Margaret O’Gorman, Executive Director of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.  “Continued investment in stewardship of wildlife is essential to continuing the recovery of eagles and other wildlife in New Jersey.”

The Bald Eagle Research and Management Project is made possible by those who donate a portion of their New Jersey state income tax refund to wildlife conservation and those who purchase Conserve Wildlife license plates for their cars. The project is also supported by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey and federal grants.

“The bald eagle, along with scores of other endangered and rare wildlife species, have a much brighter future in our state due to the work made possible by funds from the tax check-off and the Conserve Wildlife license plate program,” said DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Chanda. “It’s not too soon to begin thinking about donating a portion of your refund to this worthy and successful effort.”

The bald eagle remains listed as an endangered species in New Jersey. The federal government removed the bald eagle from its endangered species list in 2007. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is overseeing a 20-year recovery monitoring period.

The 2011 bald eagle project report, which includes a map and listing of the distribution of nesting eagles in New Jersey, can be found at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/raptor_info.htm.

Banding Highlights
Tyler Christensen, Sean Graesser, and Anthony Squitieri

Greetings from Costa Rica!

The day after we arrived at our destination in Costa Rica we travelled to Reserva Cabo Blanco, where we began preparations to band the next day.  The twelve net lanes had to be located and cleared, and the equipment carried to the banding table.  We opened the nets the following morning in the dark at 6:00am.  Immediately, and not surprisingly, we started netting birds.  Our first capture was a hatching-year Kentucky Warbler, one of the target species of this study, and a very welcome sight just a few days after being caught in a snowstorm.

[Illustration: Savannah Sparrow in Pennington New Jersey, October 30th]

[Illustration: Kentucky Warbler in Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica, November 3rd]

Our first week yielded a highly successful banding session at Reserva Cabo Blanco; In the three consecutive 10-hour days of banding, we captured a total of 97 birds of 25 species.  Our most common species were Long-tailed Manakin, Gray-headed Tanager, and Swainson's Thrush, another target species of the project.  Other Neotropical migrant species included Tennessee Warbler, Wood Thrush, and Louisiana Waterthrush.  Highlights among the resident species included a Greenish Elaenia, a Stub-tailed Spadebill, three Bright-rumped Antillas and two Northern Barred-Woodcreepers.

[Illustration: The Banding Station at Cabo Blanco]

While the banding operation overall went very smoothly, we began a dynamic battle with a resident coati, a Neotropical relative of the raccoon, who quickly learned that our coolers were an excellent source for an easy lunch.  At first, when we found the raided cooler upon our return to the station, we assumed someone had forgotten to close the lid.  The second time, Sean was sitting at the banding table with his back to the cooler, and turned to see the coati flip open the lid with his nose, grab a bag of Doritos, and run into the forest.  Convinced we could outsmart this creature, we hoisted the cooler into a tree.  The Coati didn't have to think twice: He climbed up the tree, down the rope, and, standing on the handle from which the chest was hanging, pulled open the lid to snatch our sandwiches and disappear into the undergrowth before we could do anything about it.  Never again will we underestimate the cleverness and determination of a hungry Coati.  Accepting defeat, we were forced to resort to the only advantage we had: aposable thumbs.  A secure knot around the cooler has kept our meals safe ever since.

[Illustration: Sean returning from a net run carrying new birds.]

[Illustration: Anthony with a Long-tailed Manakin]

In addition to our banding operation, we've been able to use our newly-purchased sound recording equipment to capture recordings of several species of resident birds, which we plan to donate to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macaulay Library, as well as create audio samples to use in censuses of our study sites.  Attached are recordings of a Long-billed Gnatwren and a Pale-billed Woodpecker, the latter of which will be the first recording of their vocal behavior to be donated to the Macaulay Library.

[Illustration: Sonogram of a Long-billed Gnatwren Song (audio attached)]

[Illustration: Sonogram of a Pale-billed Woodpecker Calling (audio attached)]

On Wednesday of next week we will drive to Refugio Curu, a private biological refuge, to establish our other banding station.  We hope to capture a different array of species that frequent the mangrove swamps found along the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula.  In the meantime, we will continue recording bird songs, computerizing the data from our first banding sessions at Cabo Blanco, and preparing to move our equipment to Refugio Curu.


Netting Totals from Cabo Blanco 11/3-11/5:
   
13     Long-tailed Manakin
9       Gray-headed Tanager
6       Swainson's Thrush
5       Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
5       Ruddy Woodcreeper
5       Plain Xenops
4       Stripe-throated Hermit
4       Streak-headed Woodcreeper
4       Rufous-capped Warbler
3       Barred Antshrike
3       Red-crowned Antshrike
3       Bright-rumped Antilla
2       Rufous-and-white Wren
2       Northern Barred-Woodcreeper
2       Kentucky Warbler
2       Tennessee Warbler
2       Lesser Greenlet
2       Long-billed Gnatwren
2       Tropical Gnatcatcher
2       Olivaceous Woodcreeper
1       Louisiana Waterthrush*
1       Wood Thrush*
1       Greenish Elaenia
1       Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
1       Stub-tailed Spadebill

Total: 97
   
Other Species Observed:

Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Little Tinamou
Thicket Tinamou
Yellow Crowned Night Heron
Bare-throated Tiger Heron
Gray-necked Wood-rail
Squirrel Cuckoo
Green-breasted Mango
Viocacious Trogon
Turquoise-browed Motmot
Green Kingfisher
Hoffman’s Woodpecker
Pale Billed Woodpecker
Great-crested Flycatcher
Eastern-wood Pewee
Clay-colored Robin
Baltimore Oriole


* These two species are known from only very few records in these areas, and represent significant findings.

Our next update will be sent next week, after the completion of our second banding session at Refugio Curu.  Thank you for reading.

Best regards,

Tyler Christensen, Sean Graesser, and Anthony Squitieri

Nicoya Peninsula Avian Research Station
11 Moores Mill Mount Rose Rd
Pennington, New Jersey 08534
tchristensen@npars.org

November St. Michael's eBird report in three parts: walk to Aunt Molly Road from Princeton Avenue along field edges;  oak-hickory barrens and cedar woods across Aunt Molly Road; return walk along field edges from Aunt Molly Road to Princeton Avenue.

Submitted by: Sharyn Magee

St. Michael's, Mercer, US-NJ
Nov 17, 2011 6:44 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.3 mile(s)
24 species

Snow Goose  23
Black Vulture  1
Turkey Vulture  7
Northern Harrier  1
American Kestrel  1
Mourning Dove  15
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Blue Jay  21
American Crow  8
Fish Crow  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Eastern Bluebird  1
American Robin  12
Northern Mockingbird  4
European Starling  60     Estimate.
Chipping Sparrow  1
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  8
White-throated Sparrow  16
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  5
Northern Cardinal  2
House Finch  2



Aunt Molly Woods St. Michael's, Mercer, US-NJ Nov 17, 2011 9:00 AM - 10:05 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
9 species (+1 other taxa)

Black Vulture  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Carolina/Black-capped Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  5
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  3
White-throated Sparrow  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1



St.Michael's, Mercer, US-NJ
Nov 17, 2011 10:05 AM - 11:01 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.1 mile(s)
Comments:     Only birds not seen on early morning walk counted where return route overlaps route out to Aunt Molly Road.
15 species (+1 other taxa)

Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Carolina/Black-capped Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
Carolina Wren  1
Eastern Bluebird  12
American Robin  2
Northern Mockingbird  2
Cedar Waxwing  16
Song Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  11
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  9
Northern Cardinal  1
House Finch  3

DEP, DHSS URGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST MOSQUITOES IN WAKE OF HEAVY SUMMER RAINFALL
       
(11/P118) TRENTON - The Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health and Senior Services are urging State residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne West Nile virus by taking some simple steps to reduce populations of the insect on their own properties.

Late summer and early fall are typically the most critical times of the year to be aware of the potential for the dangers of contracting West Nile virus from mosquito bites. Mosquito activity can continue until late October. Mosquitoes also can become more active throughout the entire day at this time of year.

Concerns are elevated this year because many areas of the State are still wet as a result of excessive rainfall over the late summer resulting largely from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Wet areas serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

In response, the State has stepped up its air surveillance of potential mosquito breeding grounds and aircraft pesticide applications to proactively reduce the threat of impacts to people. The state also has been working closely with county mosquito control programs to help them identify and respond to mosquito outbreaks in a timely manner.

“Given the record rainfall and large amounts of standing water, it is extremely important that residents follow personal protective measures, including using insect repellent when outdoors, limiting time outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, and wearing protective clothing during these hours,” said DHSS Acting Commissioner Dr. Tina Tan.

DHSS has identified four human cases of West Nile virus so far this year, with no fatalities. They were in Mercer, Middlesex, Morris and Ocean counties. The Morris County exposure to West Nile virus occurred outside of New Jersey. DHSS also reported that 25 birds have died from confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Gloucester, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Warren counties.

Last year, there were 30 human case of West Nile virus in New Jersey, including two deaths.

“Fortunately confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in New Jersey remain low this year,” said Bob Kent, Administrator of the DEP’s Office of Mosquito Control Coordination. “Still, it is prudent to take steps around your own home to keep mosquito populations - and health risks - in check.”

The DEP offers the following tips on how to limit mosquitoes on your property:

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property.

• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country.

• Drill holes in the bottom and elevate recycling containers that are left out of doors.
 
• Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.

• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis.

• Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths.
 
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.

• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than four days.
 
• Maintain mechanical barriers, such as window and door screens, to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings. Barriers over rain barrels or cistern and septic pipes will deny female mosquitoes the opportunity to lay eggs on water.

• If you have problems controlling mosquitoes, contact your county mosquito control agency by calling 888-666-5968.

For more DEP information visit: www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito
Visit the State Department of Health and Senior Services: www.state.nj.us/health/cd/westnile

RESIDENTS IN NORTH JERSEY ‘‘BEAR COUNTRY‘‘ URGED TO SECURE TRASH AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL FOOD SOURCES

(11/P117)TRENTON -- The DEP is advising residents and outdoor enthusiasts in North Jersey, especially in areas regularly frequented by black bears, to strictly adhere to guidelines for eliminating or securing potential black bear food sources during the fall period when bears feed extensively to build fat layers for hibernation.

Black bears may be especially on the hunt this season for high calorie foods, such as food scraps in household trash and bird seed from outdoor bird feeders, due to localized scarcities of acorns and other tree nuts, which are an important black bear food source known as ‘‘mast.‘‘ Mast production, especially the acorn crop, is typically cyclical, and this year's scarcity follows two very plentiful mast years. Factors such as gypsy moth infestation, spring frost, excessive spring rain and humidity influence the natural mast production cycle.

In low mast years, such as this year, bears are more likely to exploit alternative foods, such as human trash and bird seed, to provide the calories they need to prepare for winter. Homes and campgrounds become prime potential food sources for black bears when natural foods are in short supply.

The black bear population has stabilized this year in Northwest Jersey as a result of the State Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, which includes a mix of education, research, hunting, and non-lethal techniques. The result has been a decrease in bear-human incidents compared to 2010. But the mast shortage will increase the potential for bear-human conflicts this fall as bears may become bolder and more persistent in searching for food near homes and campgrounds.

“Residents, hikers and campers can reduce the likelihood of attracting bears if they are aware of all potential food sources for bears and diligently bear-proof residences and camps by removing or properly securing any potential bear food," said David Chanda, Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The bear hunt is just one facet of the State’s Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, which also includes public education, research, bear habitat analysis and protection, non-lethal bear management techniques, enforcement of laws, and efforts to keep human food sources, especially household trash, away from bears to limit bear-human encounters.

New Jersey residents and visitors should be aware that feeding or intentionally providing food for black bears is against the law. Violators could face a penalty of up to a $1,000 for each offense. Conservation Officers and State Park Police, along with local police departments, will be on the lookout for incidents where food is intentionally provided for black bears.

These simple rules for living in black bear country--particularly Morris, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, northern Passaic, northern Somerset and western Bergen counties --will help minimize conflicts with black bears:

• Reducing conflicts with bears is a community effort. It only takes several households with unsecured food for bears to create a nuisance bear that could affect an entire neighborhood.
• Invest in bear-proof garbage containers. If not using bear-proof garbage containers, store all garbage in containers with tight fitting lids in a secure area such as a basement, the inside wall of a garage, or a shed.
• Put garbage out on collection day, not the evening before.
• Wash garbage containers with a disinfectant at least once a week to eliminate odors. Draping ammonia or bleach soaked cloth over containers will help to eliminate odors.
• Do not place meat or sweet food scraps in compost piles.
• Feed birds only from December 1 to April 1, when bears are least active.
• When feeding birds when bears are active, suspend birdfeeders at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.
• Feed outdoor pets during daylight hours only. Immediately remove all food scraps and bowls after feeding.
• Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use. Grease and food residue can attract bears.
• Do not leave food unattended while camping or picnicking.
• Store all food items in coolers inside vehicles where they can not be seen or in bear-proof food storage lockers at State Park facilities
• Never feed a black bear. It is dangerous and against the law.
• Report bear damage or nuisance behavior to your local police department or to the Division of Fish and Wildlife at (877) 927-6337.

To learn more about New Jersey's black bears, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com .
To read the State’s Comprehensive Black Bear management Policy, visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearfacts.htm