Stewardshops

Stewardshops are a novel learning experience designed to involve participants in stewardship and ecological restoration at a practical level.

A man in a gray shirt and white cap showing a group of children and an older woman around a garden bed with white flowers, outdoors in a park or garden setting.

Since about ⅓ of the Sourland region is privately owned, backyard stewardship is essential to support the ecosystem.

Group of people gathered outdoors in a grassy, wooded area, examining plants, with some carrying notebooks, during daytime.

Close-up of a black and white tire tread pattern.

We work to encourage private landowners to engage in backyard stewardship – planting native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants to help support the Sourland forest’s plants and animals – many threatened and endangered.

One of the educational tools we provide is an informal gathering on a member’s property to answer participants’ questions, and share our group’s experiences of what has worked – and what hasn’t – on our own property to help the landowner achieve his or her goals.

A group of people gathered outdoors under a large tree, listening to a speaker in a park-like setting with lush greenery and wildflowers.

Stewardship: caring for our natural resources

A 3D artistic illustration of a shield with a forest scene inside, showing tall trees and green shrubs, symbolizing protection and nature.

The Forest Cares for Us

It’s important for humans to care for the meadows, wetland and forest because it takes care of us in so many ways.

Miniature woodland scene with black and brown trees, rabbits, deer, a bird, a pig, and small rocks on a square base with a black border.

Caring for the Forest

In addition to providing clean water and air – and sequestering carbon, the forest provides important habitat for migrating birds, amphibians and other animals that perform important ecosystem services like insect control

Learn more about sowing native seeds.

Learn more below on how to sow native seeds. Thank you for your support of the Sourlands!

White Wood Aster
(Eurybia divaricata)

Photo Courtesy of Joe Kazimierczyk. Thank you Pinelands Nursery for the planting information.

Wetland Indicator Status: FAC
Zone: 3-8
Species Type: Native
Growth Habit: Forb
Classification: Perennial
Plant Height: 1-3‘
Spread: 3-4′
Bloom Period: August-November
Bloom Color: White
Pollinator Value: High
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Deer Resistant: Yes

Dense Blazing Star
(Liatris spicata)

Photo Courtesy of Pinelands Nursery. Thank you Pinelands Nursery for the planting information

Wetland Indicator Status: FAC
Zone: 3-9
Species Type: Native
Growth Habit: Forb
Classification: Perennial
Plant Height: 4‘
Spread: 2′
Growth Rate: Moderate
Bloom Period: July-September
Bloom Color: Purple
Pollinator Value: High
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Deer Resistance: Yes

False Sunflower
(Heliopsis helianthoides)

Photo Courtesy of Sari Pehnke. Thank you Pinelands Nursery for the planting information.

Wetland Indicator Status: FAC
Zone: 3-9
Species Type: Native
Growth Habit: Forb
Classification: Perennial
Plant Height: 5‘
Spread: 1-3′
Bloom Period: July-September
Bloom Color: Yellow
Pollinator Value: High
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Deer Resistant: Yes

Sweet-Scented Joe Pye
(Eupatorium purpureum)

Thank you Pinelands Nursery for the planting information.

Wetland Indicator Status: FAC
Zone: 3-9
Species Type: Native
Growth Habit: Forb
Classification: Perennial
Plant Height: 7‘
Spread: 3-4′
Growth Rate: Rapid
Bloom Period: July-September
Bloom Color: Pink
Pollinator Value: High
Drought Tolerance: Moderate
Deer Resistance: High

Wild Bergamot
(Monarda fistulosa)

Thank you Pinelands Nursery for the planting information.

Wetland Indicator Status: UPL
Zone: 3-8
Species Type: Native
Growth Habit: Forb
Classification: Perennial
Plant Height: 2-3′
Spread: 3′
Growth Rate: Medium
Bloom Period: July-September
Bloom Color: Lavender
Pollinator Value: High
Drought Tolerance: Moderate
Deer Resistance: High

Volunteer Opportunities

Become a volunteer

Silhouette of a dense forest of evergreen trees against a black night sky with full moon.

Stewardshops

Stewardshops are a novel learning experience designed to involve participants in stewardship and ecological restoration at a practical level.

Since about ⅓ of the Sourland region is privately owned, backyard stewardship is essential to support the ecosystem.

One of the educational tools we provide is an informal gathering on a member’s property to answer participants’ questions, and share our group’s experiences of what has worked – and what hasn’t – on our own property to help the landowner achieve his or her goals.