What we’re about
This group is for people interested in the activities in the South Mountain Reservation sponsored by the South Mountain Conservancy. SMC is a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation founded in March 2000. Through volunteer activities, public programs and partnership with the Essex County Parks Department, the SMC serves as a steward and advocate for the 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation. The SMC strives to preserve, protect, and enhance the ecology, infrastructure and natural beauty of the reservation and to foster public engagement through programs such as: Trailkeepers, Chain Saw Gang, Trash Tacklers, Trail Work, Forest Regeneration, SMR Family Campout, Mayapple Trail Runs, Wildflower Sculpture Park, Citizen Science, and Bio-Blitz. Our regularly scheduled hikes are free and open to the public, but we encourage our followers to become SMC members to help support our mission. For more information visit www.somocon.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SouthMountainConservancy
### GALA/PARTY: To celebrate 25 years of caring for and engaging people with the South Mountain Reservation, the South Mountain Conservancy is holding an anniversary celebration at South Orange’s newly reconstructed Baird Center on Saturday evening, October 26th, from 7 to 10 p.m. This catered buffet dinner will offer an array of sumptuous dishes and will feature the jazz trio Blue Sphere led by local keyboardist Bill Tally, a silent auction, a slide show of scenic places in the reservation, a contest of hidden reservation places, and much more. Tickets are $80 per person, which includes admission, dinner and a free drink at the bar. To learn more about the Conservancy, its history and programs, visit us at www.somocon.org. To buy tickets, click HERE. (Note: Formal attire is not required.)
### SILENT AUCTION: The Conservancy is asking individuals and local organizations to help support its mission by donating a service, membership, or item to the silent auction. Auction items should have a value of $100 or more. This is a great way to both promote your organization and help us continue to serve the greater Essex County community through programs and unparalleled stewardship of the park. We will advertise all donors in the event literature and on our website. We will also allow remote bidding to reach a broader audience. If interested in donating to the auction, contact conservancygala@somocon.org. The Silent Auction will be operational starting mid-October.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Walk the Dog w/ Lou Nocito ~3 milesSouth Mountain Reservation Dog Park, Maplewood, NJ
Saturday, October 26, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Walk the Dog: A hike for people and their canine friends. We will meet at the Dog Park off Crest Drive and stroll a series of woods roads and back trails.
Due to county regulations, you must keep your pet on a leash for the entire hike and clean up after them.
Leader: Lou Nocito 973-953-7099
Questions: hikes@somocon.org
Current SMC members receive early access to hike registration & can pre-register up to 1 month in advance. Current SMC Members get registration priority.
# In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2024 online, or by signing below, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials.
BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.# Arrival, Weather, & Cancellations
Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will not be notified. Bring water. During the summer season, wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional). Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified.
These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. Repeated no shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.
To become a current member visit https://www.somocon.org/membership/.
- SMC 25th Anniversary GalaThe Baird Center, South Orange, NJ
### GALA/PARTY: To celebrate 25 years of caring for and engaging people with the South Mountain Reservation, the South Mountain Conservancy is holding an anniversary celebration at South Orange’s newly reconstructed Baird Center on Saturday evening, October 26th, from 7 to 10 p.m. This catered buffet dinner will offer an array of sumptuous dishes and will feature the jazz trio Blue Sphere led by local keyboardist Bill Tally, a silent auction, a slide show of scenic places in the reservation, a contest of hidden reservation places, and much more. Tickets are $80 per person, which includes admission, dinner and a free drink at the bar. To learn more about the Conservancy, its history and programs, visit us at www.somocon.org. To buy tickets, click HERE. (Note: Formal attire is not required.)
### SILENT AUCTION: The Conservancy is asking individuals and local organizations to help support its mission by donating a service, membership, or item to the silent auction. Auction items should have a value of $100 or more. This is a great way to both promote your organization and help us continue to serve the greater Essex County community through programs and unparalleled stewardship of the park. We will advertise all donors in the event literature and on our website. We will also allow remote bidding to reach a broader audience. If interested in donating to the auction, contact conservancygala@somocon.org. The Silent Auction will be operational starting mid-October.
- Poetry Hike w/ Mary Brancaccio & Dennis Percher, ~ 1.7 milesTulip Springs (South Mntn. Reservation), West Orange, NJ
Sunday, October 27, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Poetry Hike. A short, 1.7-mile hike led by local poet and teacher Mary Brancaccio with stops at several locations to hear her read nature-focused poems. Some climbing along the Hemlock Falls Loop Trail.
Meet at: Tulip Springs parking lot.
Leaders: Mary Brancaccio and Dennis Percher, 973-868-6994
Questions: hikes@somocon.org
Current SMC members receive early access to hike registration & can pre-register up to 1 month in advance. Current SMC Members get registration priority.
# In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2024 online, or by signing below, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials.
BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.# Arrival, Weather, & Cancellations
Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will not be notified. Bring water. During the summer season, wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional). Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified.
These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. Repeated no shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.
To become a current member visit https://www.somocon.org/membership/.