Highland Lakes

Chairperson: Barbara Jaggi 973-764-1152 / bejaggi@warwick.net

This committee is expected to advise the board on matters related to lake water quality and management. Their knowledge-based input on matters such as responsible septic system maintenance practices; use of environmentally friendly cleaning agents and fertilizers; development of lake-friendly landscaping and forestry management of land owned by the Club is encouraged.

The committee also may conduct various activities which relate to the education of members on all issues relating to ecology and the improvement of our environment. Activities and events may include such things as clean-up days, ecology fairs, septic pumping programs and youth educational activities.

Suggested Reading

Protecting our lakes is of critical importance to all of us. For guidance, please see our publication Ecology Committee – For The Lake’s Sake.

Living safely with the wildlife that surrounds us is also essential. Learn from the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife about the biology, habits and management of black bears in New Jersey and hear about the steps they recommend the public take to better coexist with black bears by watching this video.

European Water Chestnut – An Invasive Threat
The committee remains concerned about the spread of water chestnut into our lakes. This invasive plant has been found in the lake in neighboring Wawayanda State Park, and Ecology committee volunteers assisted in removing water chestnut plants from that lake in 2010.

For more information, this fact sheet from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is helpful. This video shows volunteer efforts removing water chestnut plants from the Mystic River in Medford, MA. This video (from the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy located in southeastern PA) provides a good background about water chestnut plants  and shows volunteers working together to remove the plants.

If you travel with your boat, please help guard against the spread of this invasive plant by completely draining all water from your boat, including livewells, and thoroughly inspecting your boat, electric motor and boat trailer before launching in any our lakes.

Native Plantings and Web Resources
For helpful information about beneficial plantings, see Go Native!

Click here for a list of native shrubs, trees, etc. and helpful web resources.

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