New Jersey's Merrill Creek Reservoir Earns Governor's Environmental Excellence Award
The Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR), a 2,700-acre facility partly owned by FirstEnergy's subsidiaries, has won the 2024 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award from New Jersey's DEP in the 'Healthy Ecosystems and Habitats' category. The recognition highlights successful conservation efforts across 173 acres, including:
- 75 acres of forest stand and habitat improvements
- 98 acres of native grassland management
- 1 acre of pollinator gardens
- Creation of 78 underwater spider blocks and 17 fish cribs
The 2,727-acre property, located in Washington Township, Warren County, features a 650-acre reservoir and 290-acre environmental preserve. It's home to over 380 species of wildlife, including endangered species. The project demonstrates innovative environmental practices, such as repurposing invasive autumn olive for aquatic habitats instead of using plastic materials.
Il Reservoir Merrill Creek (MCR), una struttura di 2.700 acri parzialmente di proprietà delle filiali di FirstEnergy, ha ricevuto il Governor's Environmental Excellence Award 2024 dal DEP del New Jersey nella categoria 'Ecosistemi e Habitat Sani'. Il riconoscimento evidenzia i successi degli sforzi di conservazione su 173 acri, inclusi:
- 75 acri di miglioramenti a boschi e habitat
- 98 acri di gestione di praterie native
- 1 acri di giardini per impollinatori
- Creazione di 78 blocchi subacquei per ragni e 17 rifugi per pesci
La proprietà di 2.727 acri, situata nel Washington Township, nella contea di Warren, ospita un serbatoio di 650 acri e una riserva ambientale di 290 acri. È la casa di oltre 380 specie di fauna selvatica, comprese specie in pericolo. Il progetto dimostra pratiche ambientali innovative, come il riutilizzo dell'olivo autunnale invasivo per gli habitat acquatici anziché l'uso di materiali plastici.
El Reservorio Merrill Creek (MCR), una instalación de 2,700 acres en parte propiedad de las subsidiarias de FirstEnergy, ha ganado el Premio a la Excelencia Ambiental del Gobernador 2024 del DEP de Nueva Jersey en la categoría 'Ecosistemas y Hábitats Saludables'. El reconocimiento destaca los esfuerzos de conservación exitosos en 173 acres, que incluyen:
- 75 acres de mejoras en bosques y hábitats
- 98 acres de manejo de praderas nativas
- 1 acre de jardines para polinizadores
- Creación de 78 bloques de arañas submarinas y 17 refugios para peces
La propiedad de 2,727 acres, ubicada en el municipio de Washington, en el condado de Warren, cuenta con un reservorio de 650 acres y una reserva ambiental de 290 acres. Alberga a más de 380 especies de fauna, incluidas algunas en peligro de extinción. El proyecto demuestra prácticas ambientales innovadoras, como el reciclaje de la aceituna otoñal invasiva para hábitats acuáticos en lugar de utilizar materiales plásticos.
메리얼 크릭 저수지 (MCR)는 FirstEnergy의 자회사들이 부분적으로 소유하고 있는 2,700 에이커 규모의 시설로, 뉴저지 DEP의 '건강한 생태계와 서식지' 부문에서 2024 주지사 환경 우수상을 수상했습니다. 이 인정은 173에이커에 걸친 성공적인 보존 노력을 강조합니다. 포함 내용은:
- 75에이커의 숲 유지 및 서식지 개선
- 98에이커의 토착 초원 관리
- 1에이커의 수분 매개 정원
- 78개의 수중 거미 블록과 17개의 물고기 숨기기 구역 조성
워렌 카운티의 워싱턴 타운십에 위치한 2,727 에이커의 이 부지는 650 에이커 크기의 저수지와 290 에이커의 환경 보호구역을 포함하고 있습니다. 380종 이상의 야생 동물이 서식하고 있으며, 그 중 일부는 멸종 위기종입니다. 이 프로젝트는 수조거주지를 위해 침입종 가을 올리브를 재활용하는 것과 같은 혁신적인 환경 관행을 보여줍니다.
Le Réservoir Merrill Creek (MCR), une installation de 2 700 acres en partie détenue par les filiales de FirstEnergy, a remporté le Prix d'Excellence Environnementale du Gouverneur 2024 décerné par le DEP du New Jersey dans la catégorie 'Écosystèmes et Habitats Sains'. Cette reconnaissance met en avant les efforts de conservation réussis sur 173 acres, incluant :
- 75 acres d'améliorations des forêts et habitats
- 98 acres de gestion de prairies indigènes
- 1 acre de jardins pour pollinisateurs
- Création de 78 blocs sous-marins pour araignées et 17 abris pour poissons
La propriété de 2 727 acres, située dans le Washington Township, dans le comté de Warren, comprend un réservoir de 650 acres et une réserve environnementale de 290 acres. Elle abrite plus de 380 espèces de la faune, y compris des espèces en danger. Le projet démontre des pratiques environnementales innovantes, telles que la réutilisation d'olive d'automne invasive pour les habitats aquatiques au lieu d'utiliser des matériaux plastiques.
Der Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR), eine 2.700 Acres große Einrichtung, die teilweise im Besitz von Tochtergesellschaften von FirstEnergy ist, hat den Governor's Environmental Excellence Award 2024 des DEP von New Jersey in der Kategorie 'Gesunde Ökosysteme und Lebensräume' gewonnen. Die Auszeichnung hebt die erfolgreichen Naturschutzmaßnahmen auf 173 Acres hervor, darunter:
- 75 Acres Verbesserungen an Waldflächen und Lebensräumen
- 98 Acres Pflege von einheimischen Wiesen
- 1 Acre Blühgärten für Bestäuber
- Schaffung von 78 Unterwasser-Spinnenblöcken und 17 Fischkrippen
Das 2.727 Acres große Grundstück, das sich im Washington Township, Warren County, befindet, verfügt über einen 650 Acres großen Stausee und ein 290 Acres großes Umweltschutzgebiet. Es beherbergt über 380 Arten von Wildtieren, darunter auch bedrohte Arten. Das Projekt demonstriert innovative Umweltpraktiken, wie die Wiederverwendung des invasiven Herbstolivenbaums für aquatische Lebensräume anstelle von Kunststoffmaterialien.
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New Jersey DEP recognizes site for its 'Healthy Ecosystems and Habitats'
Presented during a Dec. 10 ceremony, the award in the "Healthy Ecosystems and Habitats" category highlights the successful collaboration between MCR, local communities and partners such as Terra Engineers, New Jersey Youth Corps of
John Parke, Environmental Specialist at FirstEnergy and Ecologist at Merrill Creek Reservoir: "The habitat enhancements and restorations at MCR are expected to have far-reaching benefits, not just for wildlife, but for surrounding communities. Our habitat projects serve as models for recognizing the benefits of collaboration for restoration, protection and stewardship of natural resources."
The award recognizes voluntary conservation practices and environmental restoration efforts, covering more than 173 acres of the site. The projects include 75 acres of forest stand and habitat improvement practices, nearly 98 acres of native grassland management and an acre of new and enhanced pollinator gardens.
Additionally, MCR improved its fish habitat at the property by repurposing autumn olive, an invasive woody species removed during its grassland restoration work, into 78 underwater spider blocks and 17 fish cribs. These man-made structures, which provide valuable shelter, nurseries and foraging areas for fish, macroinvertebrates and other aquatic organisms in the reservoir, are typically made using PVC tubes and plastic pipe. By using non-native vegetation, such as the autumn olive, MCR is able to remove the risk of microplastics being released into the water over time.
Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 2,727-acre property in
JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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