[ Program ]

Stew Crew

Invasive Species Removal

Invasive plants are one of the most serious threats to the Sourland forest. These non-native species spread quickly and aggressively, crowding out native plants, altering soil chemistry, and disrupting the balance of local ecosystems.

People planting or restoring a forest, with two women and one man working near a wire fence amidst dense green foliage and tall trees.

Common invasive plants found in the Sourlands include …

Close-up of green grass plants with thin, elongated leaves and tall seed heads.

Japanese Stiltgrass

Close-up of white and pink flowers on a branch with green leaves, softly focused background.

Multiflora Rose

Close-up of green leaves and hanging seed pods on a tree branch.

Tree-of-Heaven

Close-up of white flowering plants with green leaves in a garden.

Garlic Mustard

Close-up of red berries on a bush with green leaves, some with a powdery coating.

Autumn Olive

These species often form dense mats or thickets that prevent native wildflowers, shrubs, and tree seedlings from growing, reducing biodiversity and making it harder for native wildlife to find food and shelter.


The Stew Crew: Protecting Our Ecosystem

The Sourland Conservancy is actively working to combat the spread of invasive plants through community education, habitat restoration, and volunteer stewardship efforts, especially the Stew Crew.

Two women planting a tree in a cleared area surrounded by brown shrubs and trees, with a wooden tube and small tools nearby.
A man in a blue jacket and khaki pants handles a large branch or small tree in an outdoor green area, with another person visible in the background.
Group of people volunteering in a wooded area, removing brush and clearing the forest floor.

The Stew Crew is a group of dedicated volunteers who meet on the …

1st and 3rd Fridays

Group of seven people standing outdoors in a wooded area during a cloudy day, some holding small objects, with sapling trees planted behind them.

… of each month at various planting sites throughout the Sourlands.

Together, they cut, trim, and remove invasive plant species to help ensure that native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers have the space and resources they need to grow and thrive. They also maintain and repair deer exclosures to help protect the native plants growing inside.

Group of people installing a wildlife fence in a wooded forest area.

Volunteer Opportunities

Become a volunteer
Illustration of a forest with tall pine trees against a black sky.