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This project aims to transform a stagnant pond, overrun with invasive species and plagued by water quality issues, into a thriving wetland mosaic. This endeavor, a collaborative effort between Warrington Township, Princeton Hydro, and other stakeholders, promises to not only revitalize the natural environment but also enhance community access and education within the park. [caption id="attachment_14494" align="aligncenter" width="802"] Historical photo of Lion's Pride Park pond in Warrington Township, PA.[/caption] Restoration Overview and Community Impact Spanning 47 acres, Lion's Pride Park serves as a green oasis within the Township, offering a range of recreational and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities. The pond within the park was in urgent need of restoration - heavy storm events caused the pond to overflow, which created flooding conditions in the park. The local native biodiversity was being threatened by nusiance and invasive species like water chestnut (Trapa natans). The photos below were taken in April 2020. [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="medium" ids="14485,14486"] Princeton Hydro began in 2020 with site investigation and field surveys, including: Bathymetric assessment to map water depth and accumulated unconsolidated sediment in the pond Sediment sampling to facilitate options for the potential reuse of the sediment on site and the selection of native vegetation for the various habitats being created Wetland delineation to identify existing wetland boundaries within and adjacent to the project site and discern the extent of jurisdictional impacts related to the proposed activities. The most substantial component for the restoration project was the conversion of the existing pond to an emergent wetland complex to provide habitat for a wide variety of native species. Using the completed existing conditions reports and surveys, Princeton Hydro prepared the conceptual design plan that informed the entire restoration process. Princeton Hydro Regulatory Compliance & Wildlife Surveys Project Manager Emily Bjorhus, PWS spearheaded the regulatory program for the project, navigating approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Bucks County Conservation District. The permitting process laid the groundwork for the smooth implementation of this design-build restoration project. [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="medium" ids="14253,14244"] [caption id="attachment_14493" align="aligncenter" width="1227"] October 2023[/caption] The restoration work encompassed various stages, from earthwork and vegetation planting to the installation of ADA-compliant pathways and informational signage. Some of the key project elements, include: Channel stabilization: Stabilizing the channels within the park, addressing erosion issues, enhancing water flow dynamics, and promoting the establishment of diverse aquatic habitats. Berm construction: Installing berms to enhance wetland habitat and promote natural floodplain connectivity, contributing to the resilience of the ecosystem to flooding events. Native vegetation planting: Reintroducing native wetland and riparian plant species to enhance biodiversity and create habitat corridors for wildlife within the park. Planting is expected to take place in the Spring. Interpretive signage installation: Placing educational signage throughout the park to inform visitors about the ecological significance of the restoration project and the importance of wetland conservation. Boardwalk installation: Constructing a 6-foot-wide ADA-compliant boardwalk that spanned approximately 230 linear feet, providing visitors with accessible pathways to explore the restored wetland areas. [gallery columns="2" link="none" size="medium" ids="14491,14490,14492,14487"] Through these strategic interventions, the Lion's Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project aims to not only rejuvenate the ecological integrity of landscape but also enrich the recreational and educational experiences of the community. The project, which is slated for 100% completion this Spring, will totally transform the landscape into a diverse wetland complex that fosters native wildlife habitat, mitigates water quality concerns, reduces nonpoint source pollutants discharged to downstream waters, and provides accessible pathways and observation platforms so all community members may enjoy and learn from this restored aquatic setting. The reclaimed wetland provides additional bird and pollinator habitat and offer visitors a diverse ecosystem to learn from within the park. By fostering a deeper connection to nature and promoting environmental stewardship, this project exemplifies the transformative power of ecological restoration in creating vibrant, sustainable communities. Upcoming Presentation [caption id="attachment_13487" align="alignleft" width="247"] Emily out field performing a wetland delineation.[/caption] On March 23, at the 2024 Watershed Congress hosted by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Emily will be presenting about the Lion's Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project. Her presentation will offer insights into the regulatory approval and permitting process, takes a deeper dive into the restoration strategies, and showcases the ecological significance of the project. Click here to learn more about the 2024 Watershed Congress. Emily, a certified Professional Wetland Scientist, is a Project Manager that specializes in environmental regulatory compliance, ecological services and wildlife surveys. She leads federal, state and local environmental permitting processes, NEPA compliance and documentation, Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations, and Clean Water Act Section 404(b)1 analyses. The Lion's Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project exemplifies a holistic approach to environmental conservation, community engagement, and public recreation. By repurposing a neglected pond into a vibrant wetland mosaic, this initiative embodies the principles of ecological resilience and inclusive urban planning, and celebrates the transformative potential of ecological uplift projects in fostering healthier, more vibrant communities. Please stay tuned to our blog for more project updates once planting is completed this Spring. Click here to read more about Princeton Hydro’s robust natural resource management and restoration services. [post_title] => Restoring Balance: Converting a Pond into a Wetland Mosaic at Lion’s Pride Park [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => restoring-balance-converting-a-pond-into-a-wetland-mosaic-at-lions-pride-park [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-10-13 15:59:20 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-10-13 15:59:20 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=14482 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 14162 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2024-01-10 15:23:09 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-01-10 15:23:09 [post_content] => As we celebrate the start of 2024, the Princeton Hydro team is thrilled about the multitude of events on the horizon. We're proud to be sponsoring and participating in conferences, webinars, community gatherings, and symposiums. Our blog is the go-to hub for all the event dates, detailed information, and ways to get involved. Join us in making this winter season one to remember! January 9 - 11: 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society The Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society (NEAPMS) is a diverse group of professionals dedicated to understanding the unique needs of aquatic plant management in the Northeast and communicating that knowledge to both the public and private sectors. The 25th Anniversary Meeting, being held at the Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, New Hampshire, features workshops, technical presentations, poster sessions, networking events, and a banquet. Get more info and view the full agenda here. January 23: NJ Stormwater Retrofit BMP Guide Webinar New Jersey Future, in partnership with Princeton Hydro, launched the New Jersey Stormwater Retrofit Best Management Practices Guide. This comprehensive resource stands as a pivotal tool to aid local and county governments, nonprofits, developers, and property owners in retrofitting stormwater infrastructure and integrating sustainable green infrastructure solutions. On January 23 at Noon, New Jersey Future and Princeton Hydro are hosting a free public webinar to review this new resource. Get more info and register. February 6-7: Delaware Wetlands Conference The 10th Delaware Wetlands Conference will be held on February 6-7th at the Chase Center, on the waterfront in Wilmington, DE. The conference genda usually includes subjects such as soil science, climate adaptation, and monitoring, as well as wetland restoration and creation projects. 400 attendees, 50 different presentations and poster displays, and 30 exhibitors and sponsor tables are expected. Princeton Hydro, a proud Conference sponsor and exhibitor, is leading four sessions:
In Warrington Township, Pennsylvania, an innovative ecological uplift initiative is underway at Lion's Pride Park. This project aims to transform a stagnant pond, overrun with invasive species and plagued by water quality issues, into a thriving wetland mosaic. This endeavor, a collaborative effort between Warrington Township, Princeton Hydro, and other stakeholders, promises to not only revitalize the natural environment but also enhance community access and education within the park.
Spanning 47 acres, Lion's Pride Park serves as a green oasis within the Township, offering a range of recreational and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities.
The pond within the park was in urgent need of restoration - heavy storm events caused the pond to overflow, which created flooding conditions in the park. The local native biodiversity was being threatened by nusiance and invasive species like water chestnut (Trapa natans). The photos below were taken in April 2020.
Princeton Hydro began in 2020 with site investigation and field surveys, including:
The most substantial component for the restoration project was the conversion of the existing pond to an emergent wetland complex to provide habitat for a wide variety of native species. Using the completed existing conditions reports and surveys, Princeton Hydro prepared the conceptual design plan that informed the entire restoration process.
Princeton Hydro Regulatory Compliance & Wildlife Surveys Project Manager Emily Bjorhus, PWS spearheaded the regulatory program for the project, navigating approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Bucks County Conservation District. The permitting process laid the groundwork for the smooth implementation of this design-build restoration project.
The restoration work encompassed various stages, from earthwork and vegetation planting to the installation of ADA-compliant pathways and informational signage. Some of the key project elements, include:
Channel stabilization: Stabilizing the channels within the park, addressing erosion issues, enhancing water flow dynamics, and promoting the establishment of diverse aquatic habitats.
Berm construction: Installing berms to enhance wetland habitat and promote natural floodplain connectivity, contributing to the resilience of the ecosystem to flooding events.
Native vegetation planting: Reintroducing native wetland and riparian plant species to enhance biodiversity and create habitat corridors for wildlife within the park. Planting is expected to take place in the Spring.
Boardwalk installation: Constructing a 6-foot-wide ADA-compliant boardwalk that spanned approximately 230 linear feet, providing visitors with accessible pathways to explore the restored wetland areas.
Through these strategic interventions, the Lion's Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project aims to not only rejuvenate the ecological integrity of landscape but also enrich the recreational and educational experiences of the community. The project, which is slated for 100% completion this Spring, will totally transform the landscape into a diverse wetland complex that fosters native wildlife habitat, mitigates water quality concerns, reduces nonpoint source pollutants discharged to downstream waters, and provides accessible pathways and observation platforms so all community members may enjoy and learn from this restored aquatic setting.
The reclaimed wetland provides additional bird and pollinator habitat and offer visitors a diverse ecosystem to learn from within the park. By fostering a deeper connection to nature and promoting environmental stewardship, this project exemplifies the transformative power of ecological restoration in creating vibrant, sustainable communities.
On March 23, at the 2024 Watershed Congress hosted by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Emily will be presenting about the Lion's Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project. Her presentation will offer insights into the regulatory approval and permitting process, takes a deeper dive into the restoration strategies, and showcases the ecological significance of the project. Click here to learn more about the 2024 Watershed Congress.
Emily, a certified Professional Wetland Scientist, is a Project Manager that specializes in environmental regulatory compliance, ecological services and wildlife surveys. She leads federal, state and local environmental permitting processes, NEPA compliance and documentation, Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations, and Clean Water Act Section 404(b)1 analyses.
The Lion's Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project exemplifies a holistic approach to environmental conservation, community engagement, and public recreation. By repurposing a neglected pond into a vibrant wetland mosaic, this initiative embodies the principles of ecological resilience and inclusive urban planning, and celebrates the transformative potential of ecological uplift projects in fostering healthier, more vibrant communities.
Please stay tuned to our blog for more project updates once planting is completed this Spring. Click here to read more about Princeton Hydro’s robust natural resource management and restoration services.
As we celebrate the start of 2024, the Princeton Hydro team is thrilled about the multitude of events on the horizon. We're proud to be sponsoring and participating in conferences, webinars, community gatherings, and symposiums. Our blog is the go-to hub for all the event dates, detailed information, and ways to get involved. Join us in making this winter season one to remember!
The Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society (NEAPMS) is a diverse group of professionals dedicated to understanding the unique needs of aquatic plant management in the Northeast and communicating that knowledge to both the public and private sectors. The 25th Anniversary Meeting, being held at the Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, New Hampshire, features workshops, technical presentations, poster sessions, networking events, and a banquet.
New Jersey Future, in partnership with Princeton Hydro, launched the New Jersey Stormwater Retrofit Best Management Practices Guide. This comprehensive resource stands as a pivotal tool to aid local and county governments, nonprofits, developers, and property owners in retrofitting stormwater infrastructure and integrating sustainable green infrastructure solutions. On January 23 at Noon, New Jersey Future and Princeton Hydro are hosting a free public webinar to review this new resource.
The 10th Delaware Wetlands Conference will be held on February 6-7th at the Chase Center, on the waterfront in Wilmington, DE. The conference genda usually includes subjects such as soil science, climate adaptation, and monitoring, as well as wetland restoration and creation projects. 400 attendees, 50 different presentations and poster displays, and 30 exhibitors and sponsor tables are expected.
Project Manager and Environmental Scientist Emily Bjorhus, PWS is presenting on "Converting a Pond into a Wetland Mosaic within Public Park," which explores the design and construction of the Lion’s Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project in Warrington, PA. The project converts a stagnant pond overrun with invasive species and water quality concerns into a diverse wetland complex that provides native wildlife habitat and reduces nonpoint source pollutants discharged to downstream waters.
Project Manager and Environmental Scientist Duncan Simpson, PWS is presenting on Cypress Branch Dam Removal.
Environmental Scientist Ivy Babson is presenting on "Third River Urban Park and Habitat Creation Project – Brownfield Turned Wetland Sanctuary."
Director of Regulatory Compliance and Wildlife Surveys, Michael Rehman, CERP, PWS is presenting on "Revisiting Successful Wetland Mitigation Projects — Is Five Years of Monitoring Sufficient?"
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is hosting its 24th Annual Land Ethics Symposium on February 15 from 8am - 1pm. This year's "all virtual" symposium is specifically geared towards homeowners, landscape architects, designers, contractors, land planners and municipal officials. Participants will learn how to create ecologically sound and economically viable landscapes through the use of native plants and sustainable practices. Princeton Hydro has been a long-time sponsor of this special event.
Director of Marketing and Communications Dana Patterson Grear, along with team members from The Watershed Institute and New Jersey Future, is leading a session on community engagement. The panel will cover how officials/municipal staff can engage their communities on the MS4 permit requirements, implement a public education and outreach program, collaborate with Spanish-speaking populations, and encourage community participation in stormwater-related activities.
Senior Technical Director, Ecological Services, Dr. Fred Lubnow, will be joining a panel to discuss the valuable ecosystem services associated with watershed management, with a focus on watershed planning and nutrient management.
Pennsylvania Lake Management Society is hosting its 34th Annual Conference. This year's event, themed "Bringing it Back Home," will be held at the Wyndham Garden in State College, PA. Princeton Hydro is a proud sponsor of the conference, which offers a collection of professional presentations, workshops and panel discussions focused on topics like threats to our waters, new scientific discoveries, and homegrown solutions to improving water quality. Princeton Hydro Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services Dr. Fred Lubnow is presenting on "Assessing the Potential for Harmful Algal Blooms Over the Winter and Early Spring Seasons."
Get more info and register.
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) New Jersey and Philadelphia Posts in conjunction with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) with be hosting a Regulatory Roundtable on Thursday, March 7, 2024. This event will be a day-long seminar in-person at Tommy B’s Community Center at JBMDL. The program will identify regulatory challenges, sustainability and alternative energy initiatives, procurement/contracting opportunities, and ongoing activities specifically at JBMDL. Princeton Hydro is a proud sponsor of the roundtable. And, Princeton Hydro's Director of Marketing and Communications Dana Patterson Grear, a co-organizer of the event, looks forward to seeing you there!
The New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection invite you to the 2024 New Jersey Coastal & Climate Resilience Conference. The two-day conference, held at Monmouth University in West Long Branch New Jersey, will focus on resilience projects in Monmouth County such as flood barriers, resilient building design, and natural shoreline restoration. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with New Jersey experts and leaders on the current state of coastal science and research, climate resilience and resilience planning, coastal management, ecological restoration, and other related topics. Princeton Hydro's Dana Patterson Grear will be presenting on "Communicating Climate Change: How to Build a Digital Communications Toolkit for Climate Action." We hope to see you there! Early bird registration rates are available until January 31.
Join the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia for its day-long conference that convenes business-owners, professionals, and other interested parties that work in the green stormwater infrastructure field and other issues relating to water management, quality, equity, and climate resilience. The symposium will be held at the Science History Institute and will include special guests & speakers, technical and engaging sessions, breakfast and lunch, refreshments, and excellent opportunities for growing your networks. Princeton Hydro's Dana Patterson Grear and WSP's Elizabeth Treadway will be presenting on, "Stormwater Utility: A Mechanism for Funding Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects in Your Community".
Presented by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, the 2024 Watershed Congress, will take place at the Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown. This year includes an in-person program on March 23 along with several virtual sessions the week following. Attendees can select a full access ticket, in-person only ticket, or virtual only ticket. The in-person program will be presented in three parts: a Keynote Speaker, Breakout Sessions, and a Closing Plenary. Presentation topics include native plants, riparian buffers, civic engagement for environmental protection, and “Converting a Pond into a Wetland Mosaic within a Public Park,” led by Emily Bjorhus, PWS.
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) New Jersey Post will be hosting its annual day-long seminar in celebration of Earth Day on Friday, April 19, 2024. This New Jersey-focused event will be in-person at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Fieldsboro, New Jersey and have presentors from representation from local, state, and federal governments, NGOs, and academia.
New Jersey Section of American Water Resources Association (NJ-AWRA) hosted a free Stormwater webinar, which featured three presentations: Stormwater Regulatory Updates and Green Infrastructure Overview led by Brian Friedlich, P.E.; NJ Future Initiatives - MS4 Primer and Stormwater Retrofits Manual led by Lindsey Sigmund; and Green Infrastructure Case Study - Clawson Park led by Dr. Stephen J. Souza
Princeton Hydro was involved in the design and implementation of stormwater management upgrades to Clawson Park in Ringoes, NJ. Hundreds of native plants were installed in the park’s large stormwater basin and two of the park’s rain gardens were completely overhauled, removing invasive weeds and planting beneficial native species. To learn more about the project, click here.
As part of its Technical Friday webinar series, The Watershed Institute hosted a webinar to provide guidance on New Jersey's new stormwater ordinances, a summary of requirements, and recommendations for developing and implementing stronger ordinances. The webinar featured two expert speakers: Princeton Hydro Senior Technical Director of Engineering Dr. Clay Emerson, PE, CFM, and The Watershed Institute Policy Director Michael Pisauro, Esq.
A wetland is a unique ecosystem that is permanently or seasonally saturated by water, including swamps, marshes, bogs, vernal pools, and similar areas. They provide water quality improvement, flood protection, shoreline erosion control, food for humans and animals, and critical habitat for thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants, aquatic organisms, and wildlife.
Princeton Hydro is regionally recognized for its capabilities in the restoration of freshwater and saltwater wetland ecosystems. Our ecologists also regularly conduct wetland delineations. A wetland delineation, a requirement of most permitting efforts, is the field work conducted to determine the boundary between the upper limit of a wetland and the lower limit of an upland thus identifying the approximate extent and location of wetlands on a requested site.
For this edition of our “A Day in the Life” blog series, we join Environmental Scientist Ivy Babson and Regulatory Compliance & Wildlife Surveys Project Manager Emily Bjorhus, PWS out in the field for a wetland delineation.
Most commonly, wetlands are delineated based on the Routine Onsite Determination Method set forth in the Federal Manual Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands (FICWD 1989) with supplemental information provided by the applicable United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) regional supplement manual.
USACE’s “three-parameter” approach defines an area as a wetland if it exhibits, under normal circumstances, all the following characteristics:
Ivy and Emily begin by coordinating with the client to ensure they’ve been granted site access approval.
They then perform a comprehensive desktop analysis of the project site, identifying existing features like wetlands, open waters (streams, lakes), and potential hydric soils. This involves utilizing resources like USFWS's National Wetland Inventory Mapper, the U.S. Geological Survey's SSURGO Soils Survey, and, for New Jersey-based delineations, NJDEP's GeoWeb. The desktop review also allows Ivy and Emily to assemble the proper safety gear and create a Model Health & Safety Plan (HASP). A HASP must always be prepared before the field work begins.
It's always important to make a plan for the project. If we are delineating a large property, it might take several days to traverse, and each day, the weather might be different. So planning ahead, but also being prepared for unexpected changes, will make the day go that much smoother. And, as part of the HASP, we must identify important points of contact and know where the closest hospital is in case of a serious emergency. So, reviewing this information and planning ahead prior to heading into the field is a very important step in the process.
While wetland delineations can be conducted any time of the year, they are best conducted during the “growing season” when soil temperatures are above the biologic zero and vegetation is easily identifiable by leaves, inflorescence, or other unique identifying characteristics that would otherwise be difficult to identify during the winter months.
Ivy and Emily begin by locating known (mapped) wetland or waterbody features and writing a list of all plants observed on-site. They maintain the plant list throughout the day.
If, during the desktop review, they find a mapped wetland or stream, they walk there first to determine if wetlands are actually present. Even if a wetland is mapped on a database, it may not actually exist for various reasons. On the flip side, even if a site is not mapped as containing wetlands, the site could very well contain them. As such, the wetland delineation determines exactly what is on-site and supplements the desktop review.
As mentioned above, a wetland delineation considers three determining factors: 1) vegetation, 2) soils, and 3) hydrology. While on site, Ivy and Emily must identify hydrophytic vegetation, take soil borings, and look for wetland hydrology to identify whether a wetland is present or not.
Wetlands are dominated by hydrophytes which are plants that can grow in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen because of excessive water content and depleted soil oxygen levels.
The USACE and NJDEP definition of hydrophytes is based on the USFWS classification system. In general, any plant species that is found growing in wetlands more than 50% of the time is considered a hydrophyte. These plants include those classified by the USFWS as “facultative," “facultative wetland," or “obligate."
As a wetland delineator, it is important to possess strong plant identification skills and an eye for recognizing various ecological plant communities, which are groups of plants that share a common environment and environmental requirements. They are often defined by dominant plant species.
Once Ivy and Emily identify the hydrophytic plant community, they determine what type of ecological community they are in (e.g., freshwater forested wetland, estuarine scrub-shrub wetland, or freshwater tidal emergent marsh). Today, they are in a freshwater forested wetland, which means Ivy and Emily must now assess each stratum of the forested wetland by writing down the species and associated percent species cover.
To accurately describe the vegetation at each sampling point, we collect data on each horizontal strata or layer. Vegetative strata for which dominants are determined include (1) tree (> 5.0 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) and 20 feet or taller); (2) sapling (0.4 to <5.0 inches DBH and <20 feet tall); (3) shrub (usually 3 to 20 feet tall including multi-stemmed, bushy shrubs); (4) woody vine; and (5) herb (herbaceous plants including graminoids, forbs, ferns, fern allies, herbaceous vines, and tree seedlings). They repeat this process for each representative wetland.
Next, Ivy and Emily look for the upland plant community that is directly upslope of the wetland and make note of the proximity to the wetland, repeating the same vegetation documentation process.
Ivy and Emily must determine whether the soils within the hydrophytic plant community are hydric. Hydric soils are defined as soils that are saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part. Hydric soil indicators are features in the soil that predominantly form by biogeochemical processes in a saturated and anaerobic environment and result in the accumulation of loss of iron, manganese, sulfur, or carbon compounds.
Emily uses a soil auger to collect a sample of the first 6 - 12 inches of soil where the most significant parts of a hydric soil would be occurring.
Once Ivy and Emily identify that the soil is indeed hydric, Ivy uses her Munsell soil color book to determine the value of the soil and each hydric soil indicator.
They also document additional characteristics of each soil layer: Is it loam, silty loam, sand, sandy loam, silt, muck, clay, clayey loam, etc.? What is the percentage of rocks, plant roots, or other organic matter in each layer? What is the percentage of redoximorphic features of each layer and are they faint or prominent?
Each layer of the soil profile, which is typically documented to a depth of at least 18 inches, is sectioned out and thoroughly described.
The identification of positive indicators of wetland hydrology includes direct observation of indicator groups, such as the observation of surface water or saturated soils, evidence of recent inundation, evidence of current or recent soil saturation, and evidence from other site conditions or data. Each group contains several indicators, which are classified into categories known as “primary” or “secondary” indicators.
To positively identify the area as being a wetland, at least one primary wetland indicator (from any group) or at least two secondary wetland indicators (from any group) must be present.
Additionally, for an area to be designated as a wetland, the area must have the presence of water for a week or more during the growing season. Areas with wetland hydrology characteristics are those where the presence of water has an overriding influence on characteristics of vegetation and soils due to anaerobic and reducing conditions, respectively.
Today, Emily and Ivy observe a depression (secondary) along with a few inches of standing water (primary), water-stained leaves (primary), frogs hopping around (primary), and moss trim lines on the tree trunks (secondary). All signs point to a forested wetland; however, there is more to consider.
Ivy and Emily’s soil boring assessment showed that the soils within the top 12 inches of the soil surface were saturated (primary) and bright orange streaks were visible along the plant roots, which they documented as oxidized rhizospheres along living roots (primary). Because they identified more than one primary and two secondary wetland indicators, they can confidently delineate the wetland.
Now that Ivy and Emily established that a wetland is present, they must find the boundary of the upland. They are now looking for the absence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and positive indicators of wetland hydrology as well as the dominance of upland ecological plant communities. The same analysis and documentation process they completed for the wetland area is also required for the upland area.
Once they locate the boundary, they flag the wetland line, labeling the flagging with the wetland nomenclature and either hanging it or pinning it into the ground.
While the description sounds relatively simple, finding the boundary between a wetland and upland can be tricky and time consuming. For example, there may be some hydrophytic vegetation growing within an upland and there may be one secondary positive indicator of wetland hydrology, but hydric soils are missing. To positively classify an area as a wetland, a slam dunk on all three parameters is required.
Ivy and Emily must also delineate waterbodies concurrent with wetlands. Waterbodies may include, but are not limited to, streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. To delineate a waterbody, they hang labeled flagging along the waterbody’s top of bank or its ordinary high water mark. Throughout this process, they take pictures to document the existing waterbody conditions.
Once the wetland delineation is complete, Ivy and Emily draw out a field sketch that depicts the approximate extent and location of the wetland and waterbody boundaries with their respective nomenclature.
Depending on the project scope, the field sketch is either submitted to a Professional Licensed Surveyor who will then visit the site to survey each wetland and waterbody flag, or Ivy and Emily will return to the site to survey each flag with a survey-grade GPS. Once the survey is complete, Ivy and Emily will conduct a final review of the plans to ensure accuracy.
If requested, they will also prepare a wetland delineation report, which outlines the delineation method, findings, results, and thorough description of each wetland and its soils, hydrology, and vegetation.
“Wetland delineations aren’t for the faint of heart,” said Ivy. “At the end of the day, you might emerge from a dense stand of Phragmites garnering strange looks from passersby with muck smeared on your face, sticks and leaves poking out of your hair, a belly full of mosquitos that you might have accidentally swallowed, and fingernails stuffed with dirt. However, there isn’t any other type of field that I would rather be in. As a wetland delineator, I can access environments that most people would steer clear of and, as a result, I get to see things that I wouldn’t get to see anywhere else. I get to improve my plant identification skills and expand my knowledge of how wetlands function as an ecosystem.”
Emily Bjorhus is a Project Manager that specializes in environmental regulatory compliance, ecological services and wildlife surveys. She leads federal, state and local environmental permitting processes, NEPA compliance and documentation, Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations, and Clean Water Act Section 404(b)1 analyses. Mrs. Bjorhus is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist.
As an Environmental Scientist, Ivy Babson regularly conducts wetland delineations and monitoring, flora/fauna surveys, water quality sampling, fishery surveys, permitting, and regulatory compliance for a series of projects. She earned her Wetland Delineation Certification from Rutgers University. Ivy graduated from the University of Vermont in 2019 with a B.S. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Ecological Design, and minor in Geospatial Technologies.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting female members of our hardworking and inspiring team who exemplify our commitment to improving our ecosystems, quality of life, and communities for the better. We asked women from our team to answer questions about their professional journey and share advice to young women beginning their career path.
To join us in this important celebration, we invite you to learn about three of our team members and hear what they have to say:
Emily has been a member of the Princeton Hydro Team since 2017. She is an Environmental Scientist and Professional Wetland Scientist who specializes in regulatory permitting, environmental compliance, and wetland delineations. Emily enjoys her role as an Environmental Scientist because it, “marries her love for science and being in nature," and especially enjoys working on projects that benefit communities and enhance the surrounding environment.
For our Women’s History Month interview, Emily answers, “What is one of the biggest hurdles you've encountered in your career pursuit?” Click to watch now:
Jamie is a licensed professional Landscape Architect with over 15 years of experience in landscape architecture, environmental design, construction management and general contracting in both the public and private sectors and across a variety of project scales. Her multifaceted background includes managing green infrastructure design and construction programs, building urban parkland in lower Manhattan, ecosystem restoration, and vertical building construction projects. Jamie has also led community and municipal design projects through complex approvals processes and connected with local education partners to perform ongoing ecological restoration and stewardship work.
For our Women’s History Month interview, Jamie shares her advice to young women on pursuing a career in Landscape Architecture - Click to watch now:
Nicole joined Princeton Hydro in 2007 and has served in a variety of supportive roles. In her current position as Office and Special Projects Manager, which requires strong performance in high volume and high-pressure environments, she skillfully manages multiple projects by tracking budgets, timelines, staff, and tasks to ensure they are completed to accuracy. Nicole works closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Regional Safety Leaders to implement Princeton Hydro's Health and Safety Program, including establishing policies and procedures, researching the latest rules and regulations, and continuously messaging relevant and important Health and Safety Topics to staff. For several of the firm's initiatives, Nicole volunteers her time to help the firm create a positive working atmosphere. These include the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Steering Committee; Sustainability & Stewardship Working Group; and the PHun Event Planning committee.
For our Women’s History Month interview, Nicole shares inspirational words with young women starting their career path - Click to watch now:
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary’s Science and Environmental Summit, happening virtually this year, brings together scientists, managers, restoration practitioners, and educators from different sectors to share the latest scientific information and make ecological linkages that promote a better understanding of the Delaware watershed as a whole. During this year’s summit, Princeton Hydro is virtually exhibiting and leading four presentations:
The schedule also includes many student presentations and posters, which will judged and evaluated by a panel of volunteer judges. Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey Goll will judge three of the student presentations. The winners will be announced at the Summit closing ceremony.
PALMS is hosting its 31st annual conference during which lake professionals, students, recreation enthusiasts, lakeside residents, and community members explore a variety of topics related to managing lakes and reservoirs. This year’s conference, themed, “Managing for Emerging Threats,” will be held virtually via Zoom. Attendees can participate in a collection of professional presentations, workshops and panel discussions. Princeton Hydro’s Director of Aquatic Resources, Dr. Fred Lubnow, is presenting on the “Implementation of Various In-Lake Management Techniques to Address HABs in Lake Hopatcong, NJ.”
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is hosting an all-day, virtual Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Summit. Attendees will participate in interactive educational sessions, lead by HAB and lake management experts, on topics like emerging HAB treatment technologies and best management practices for controlling HABs. Princeton Hydro’s Director of Aquatic Resources Dr. Fred Lubnow is giving a presentation on "The evaluation of innovative measures to prevent, mitigate, and/or control HABs in Lake Hopatcong." Participants will also be introduced to the newly established NJ HAB Expert Team, which includes two Princeton Hydro scientists: Dr. Lubnow and Dr. Steve Souza. The HAB Summit is part of Governor Phil Murphy and the NJDEP’s multi-pronged initiative to reduce and prevent future HAB outbreaks in waterbodies throughout the state.
The NJ Statewide Dam Removal Partnership will host a virtual event titled, Community Engagement: The Key to a Successful Dam Removal Project. This free one-hour information session will focus on the “who, what, where, when, and how” of a successful dam removal implementation and community outreach campaign. Presenters include experts from Raritan Headwaters Association and Musconetcong Watershed Association. Registration is required.
North Atlantic Industry Day 2021 is a virtual event during which registrants can participant in briefings and presentations from government officials, industry experts, and agency members from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, and FEMA. Topics include the latest trends in resiliency, cybersecurity, COVID-19, sustainability, government contracting evaluation, tips for landing government contracts, and much more! SAME aims to provide leaders from the A/E/C, environmental, and facility management industries the opportunity to come together with federal agencies in order to showcase best practices and highlight future opportunities for small businesses to work in the federal market.
On February 9, NJ Highlands Coalition hosted a webinar lead by Princeton Hydro Founding Principal Dr. Stephen Souza and Policy Director for the NJ Highlands Coalition Elliott Ruga. Participants of the webinar - "A River Runs By It: The Environmental and Societal Benefits of Riparian Buffers" - learned about riparian buffers; what they are, why they exist, and how they protect water quality in streams and rivers. By showcasing real-world examples, the presenters illustrated the importance of restoring stream banks to enhance water quality and promote healthy aquatic life and fish populations. The webinar and preceding Q&A discussion are available to view on the Highlands Coalition YouTube Channel.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE EVENT SPOTLIGHTS!
Here at Princeton Hydro, we are dedicated to protecting our natural resources and changing our ecosystems, quality of life and communities for the better. As part of that, our team members are committed to continuing to learn new technologies, staying ahead of regulatory changes, and expanding their knowledge.
Today, we are proud to put the spotlight on four team members who recently achieved new professional certifications.
Senior Ecologist Michael Rehman PWS and Fluvial Geomorphologist Paul Woodworth are now Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioners (CERP) through the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).
SER's CERP program encourages a high professional standard for those who are designing, implementing, overseeing, and monitoring restoration projects. Only senior level practitioners who have achieved the knowledge requirements and have greater than five years of full-time experience with restoration can be certified. Michael is one of 15 people to hold a CERP certification in New Jersey, and Paul is one of two people to be CERP certified in Connecticut.
This certification is a culmination of 25 years of hard work from undergrad, early professional jobs, grad school, and over 10 years of restoration work at Princeton Hydro. I had little idea that the course work I chose in undergrad was steering me toward a career in restoration that I didn't even know existed at the time. SER has emerged as a top-notch organization with a global perspective on the proactive restoration of ecosystems and the sustenance of human communities. I'm excited about applying SER measures to our projects.
Michael has worked with Princeton Hydro since 2006. He is an expert in wetland permitting and delineations for USACE, NJDEP, and PADEP projects; wetland mitigation projects; habitat assessments; threatened and endangered species investigations; analysis of terrestrial/wetland ecosystems; municipal EIS/reviews and water quality/land use issues.
"Earning the CERP is a big achievement, and I'm proud to join the international network of credentialed professionals. I'm passionate about the restoration and enhancement of natural resources, and I have seen the transformation of brownfields to greenfields firsthand. Through the design and implementation of creative, nature-based solutions, my work will help advance the mission of SER and the field of ecological restoration."
CERP is designed to ensure that certified practitioners are up to date on the new and important developments in the field of ecological restoration – both from the scientific and the practical perspectives. The certification is valid for 5 years after approval, and recertification requires that CERPs earn a minimum of 50 continuing education credits within the five-year period since they were last certified.
Both Emily Bjorhus and Robert George earned the Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification through the Society of Wetland Scientists program.
The certification program was developed to meet the needs of professional ecologists, hydrologists, soil scientists, educators, agency professionals, consultants, and others who practice wetland science. This program is aimed at serving the public's need to identify qualified individuals to assess and manage wetland resources around the world.
The PWS certification is awarded to those meeting specific educational and experience requirements: Minimum degree requirements are BA/BS, with course distribution of 15 semester hours each in biological and physical sciences and 6 hours in quantitative areas plus an additional 15 semester hours in wetland-related courses. In addition to comprehensive training in wetland science, a PWS is expected to have professional experience of at least five years as a wetland scientist, demonstrating the application of current technical knowledge dealing with wetland resources and activities.
As an Environmental Scientist, Emily Bjorhus works on a wide range of projects from flood risk management to wetland mitigation to stream restoration. She specializes in wetland and stream ecology and environmental permitting and compliance. Emily joined the Princeton Hydro team in 2016.
"I'm very proud of my Professional Wetland Scientist certification. I've been working in wetlands for the past six years and have a deep love of botany that makes my job a joy. I know this certificate will allow me to better serve the public's need to have qualified individuals assess and manage wetland resources."
Robert is a Project Manager in the Natural Resources Practice Area who provides technical expertise in environmental toxicology, wetland ecology, wildlife surveys, permitting and compliance for a variety of federal, state, and municipal ecological restoration projects. Robert has over twelve years of experience as a natural scientist.
"Certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist was important for me because this credential demonstrates to clients and local, state, and federal regulatory agencies that I am an experienced practitioner of wetland science with an educational and professional background that satisfied the rigorous standards of the Society of Wetland Scientists."
Congratulations to Emily, Michael, Paul and Robert!
For more information about SER and the CERP program, visit ser.org. To learn more about the Society of Wetland Scientists’ PWS program, visit sws.org. If you’re interested in learning more about the wide variety of engineering and environmental services Princeton Hydro offers, go here: princetonhydro.com/services.
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We're excited to put the spotlight on Princeton Hydro Environmental Scientist Emily Bjorhus and her admirable volunteer work.
As an Environmental Scientist, Emily Bjorhus works on a wide range of projects from flood risk management to wetland mitigation to stream restoration. She specializes in wetland and stream ecology and environmental permitting and compliance. Outside of the office, Emily is an active volunteer with Natural Lands and the Delaware Shorebird Project, working to protect natural resources, promote biodiversity, and protect important species. Emily also volunteers at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Brooklyn, NY teaching Environmental Science students about wetlands. We've put together a snapshot of Emily’s volunteer activities:
Natural Lands is a nonprofit organization that saves open space, cares for nature, and connects people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Founded in the early 1950s, today nearly five million people live within five miles of lands under Natural Lands’ permanent protection.
As a Force of Nature volunteer with Natural Lands, Emily has been monitoring ~20 nest boxes located in meadow and forest edge habitat at Gwynedd Preserve since 2018. From April through mid-August, Emily and another volunteer visit the sites every 5-7 days to monitor the nest boxes for the types of species using the boxes, nest condition, nest materials, number of eggs laid, number of eggs that hatch, and number of chicks that fledge. Chickadees, wrens, blue birds, and tree swallows are the primary species that nest in the boxes Emily monitors.
When asked what she loves most about this volunteer work, Emily said, “I love watching how the birds build their nest week after week, seeing the eggs multiply and tracking the chicks' growth. I even enjoy dodging dive-bombing tree swallows.”
Delaware Shorebird Project is led by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Delaware Museum of Natural History, British Trust for Ornithology and Wash Wader Ringing Group, with the help of experienced and dedicated volunteers like Emily.
The project monitors the health and status of migratory shorebird populations to collect data that can be applied to the conservation of these birds. The research has resulted in better understanding of the ecology of shorebirds migrating through Delaware Bay, management of the horseshoe crab harvest to sustain the shorebirds’ population, and protection of key shorebird habitat.
Emily participated in a 3-day shorebird monitoring initiative, which included counting the number of shorebirds on the beach, re-sighting birds previously marked with leg flags, participating in bird catches, and weighing and measuring birds from the catches. The data collected helps monitor trends in shorebird abundance, migratory routes, condition and other important biological data.
“It's such a pleasure working with the amazing people that come from all over the world to run and participate in this ambitious study,” said Emily. “The data collected from this program will hopefully aid researchers and policy makers to develop strategies to better protect shorebird habitat in the future.”
Ms. Hannah Goldstein and her Environmental Science students at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Brooklyn, NY welcome Emily as a volunteer guest speaker to teach all about wetlands. The instruction also includes a hands-on session where students collect soil samples to determine if hydric soils are present and identify surrounding trees using a dichotomous key.
“Science is such an important subject matter for kids to be learning for a variety of reasons. Environmental science education in particular encourages thought patterns, which get kids engaged in real-world environmental protection activities,” said Emily. “I really enjoy working with Ms. Goldstein and her students. I hope my presentation inspires the students to learn more about wetlands and become ambassadors of wetland conservation.”
Emily earned her M.S. in Sustainable Engineering at Villanova University and holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from University of Colorado at Boulder. As an Environmental Scientist for Princeton Hydro, she coordinates, leads and assists with state environmental permitting programs and NEPA compliance and documentation, including preparation of Federal and state permit applications, Endangered Species Act 7 consultations, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) environmental review processes. In addition, she conducts a variety of environmental field investigations such as wetland and waterbody delineations.
We’re so proud to have Emily on our team and truly value the work she does inside and outside the office.
Ms. Hannah Goldstein and her Environmental Science students at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Brooklyn, NY welcomed Emily Bjorhus, Princeton Hydro Environmental Scientist, to be a guest speaker on the topic of wetlands. The students, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, learned what defines a wetland, how wetlands function, and why wetland ecosystems are important to our communities. Emily also taught the students how to identify wetlands in the field.
The presentation also involved hands-on instruction, which included a trip outside to the school courtyard where students learned how to collect soil samples using an auger and how to determine if hydric soils are present. To identify surrounding trees, students used a dichotomous key, a tool that allows users to make a series of choices based on characteristics such as leaf and fruit shape. Using the skills and information they learned, Emily helped each classroom determine whether a wetland was present. As it turns out, the courtyard in the middle of Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School does not contain a wetland!
“Science is such an important subject matter for kids to be learning for a variety of reasons. Environmental science education in particular encourages thought patterns, which get kids engaged in real-world environmental protection activities,” said Emily. “I really enjoyed working with Ms. Goldstein and her students. I hope my presentation inspires the students to learn more about wetlands and become ambassadors of wetland conservation.”
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