Summary of Volunteer Activities
The following is a brief summary of Mike’s recent volunteer activities. Please contact Mike if you are interested in having him speak at your group’s next gathering.
Endangered and Nongame Species Program, Hampton, NJ
Mike has provided assistance for special projects since 2006. He annually assists with the amphibian road crossing survey/rescue and timber rattlesnake den surveys.
Essex County Department of Parks, Essex County, NJ
Mike was the botany coordinator for the South Mountain Reservation Bio-Blitz in 2007. His work included creating GIS maps to assist with overall project coordination, recruitment of trained botanists and naturalists to develop an inventory of plant species occurring at the park and providing a guided nature walk for the public.
Highlands Coalition Natural Heritage Committee, Boonton, NJ
Mike has been a member of this diverse group of conservationists since 2010. The group discusses conservation issues involving the use of science to guide policy positions of the Highlands Coalition. Traditional indoor meetings/presentations are supplemented with frequent field visits that allow valuable communications between members of this diverse group.
Liberty Township Environmental Commission, Great Meadows, NJ
Mike was a member of his local environmental commission from 2008 - 2010, assisting in various activities to improve environmental awareness.
Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council, Arlington, VA
Mike has been a board member of the Council since 2004. He participates in regular board meetings and provides support for seminars, training sessions and special projects.
Native Plant Society of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Mike has been part of the Speaker's Bureau since 2007. He provides presentations to community groups involving native plants, white-tailed deer, and invasive species.
Partnership for Plant Conservation, Trenton, NJ
Mike has been a member of this group of conservationists advocating and improving awareness of New Jersey's flora since 2010 - the group includes professionals from state government, academia and private consultants.
Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Southampton, NJ
Mike participated in PPA's 2010 Science Policy Forum that explored biodiversity management of roadsides in the Pine Barrens. He was the lead presenter and facilitator for the botany section, which involved a wide variety of stakeholders.
Schiff Natural Lands Trust, Mendham, NJ
Mike has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2005. He has assisted with the strategic planning process, designed and implemented a ¼-acre native plant garden, provides scientific support for the Deer Management Program, and assists with invasive species management and forest health monitoring.
Stewardship Roundtable, Princeton, NJ
Mike has been a member since its inception in 2008. The Roundtable is a group of land stewards from across New Jersey that meets to discuss practical land management strategies and policy initiatives. Mike contributes his experience to the group and assists with a policy initiative relating to improvements in statewide management of white-tailed deer.