NJRPA – Park Resource Trainings 2026
VOLUNTEERS & STEWARDSHIP
March 25, 2026 (9am-Noon)
Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center
190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
· Leveraging Volunteers to Accomplish More – presented by Dan Ross, Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Stewardship Supervisor
Program will showcase strategies for managing volunteer groups and how to utilize outside organizations to help accomplish park tasks. Learn what to expect when working with volunteers, how to set your organization up for success, and better understand the tangible benefits of working with volunteers. Field observations of successful projects accomplished through collaborative efforts will be included.
Dan Ross manages stewardship projects across 500-acres of swamp habitat at Lord Stirling Park. He leads volunteer and corporate workgroups, mentors Eagle Scouts, and chairs the Go Green Committee. His work includes invasive species control, native plantings, habitat restoration, nest box monitoring, prescribed burns, and deer management. A licensed NJDEP Commercial Pesticide Applicator with extensive land management experience, Dan holds a B.S. in Environmental Policy from Rutgers University and enjoys exploring trails and the outdoors.
· The New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team – presented by Alyssa McCormick, Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team
The New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team, a program of Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, is dedicated to preventing the spread of invasive species throughout New Jersey. We develop prioritized stewardship plans for public and private landowners and deploy a team of land stewards to implement strategic eradication efforts. This talk will provide an overview of invasive species identification, prioritization, and management techniques and highlight the power of Volunteer Stewardship Teams for achieving habitat restoration goals.
Alyssa McCormick is a Land Steward with Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, committed to protecting New Jersey’s biodiversity and natural heritage. With hands-on experience in invasive species management, forest health research, and trail maintenance, Alyssa is dedicated to advancing science-based stewardship and fostering connections with nature in her community.
