established June 26, 2006, by a motion of the Town Assembly that changed the status of the Ad-Hoc Forest Sub-committee of the Civic Committee (est. 3/28/05) to a permanent standing committee of the Village of Arden
The Forest Committee implements Arden’s Forest Stewardship Policy, oversees trail improvement, tree felling in the woods, plant removal, and strives to prevent encroachment and stream erosion. It coordinates the annual woods cleanup.
Current Members: Carol Larson (chair), Jill Althouse-Wood, David Jones, Bev Clendening, Keri del Tufo
Click here for Committee Descriptions: full text
Meetings
The Forest Committee will hold meetings via Zoom until further notice. Links to the meetings can be found below.
The Forest Committee will hold online meetings at the regular time 3nd Monday at 5:00 pm until health restrictions resolve. Call-in number for any visitors who want to join us is below. Call (215) 806-5131 for problems with connection. Thank you for your patience during pandemic time.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/788463269?pwd=VitWS3p5OGliaDY1S3JHTTNKakN2UT09
- Meeting ID: 788 463 269
- Password: 963487
- One tap mobile
- +16468769923,,788463269# US (New York)
Forest Use Permit
If you or your group would like to have a fire at Indian Circle or hold an event in the forest, please fill out the Forests & Indian Circle Use Permit. It can be found on the Village Permits Page.
Easement agreement for 2409 Woodland Lane
Natural Resource Inventories
- Forest Stewardship Report 2020 Jim Dobson, Delaware Forest Service
- Arden Woods Natural Resource Inventory 2003-4
- Sherwood Forest Natural Resource Inventory 2002
Community Wildlife Habitat Certification Brochure here!
- Learn about our mission to become wildlife friendly throughout the Ardens.
LEAF Newsletter for Spring 2021 HERE!
LEAF ARCHIVES:
- LEAF Newsletter for Winter 2021 here!
- LEAF Newsletter for Spring 2020 here!
- LEAF Newsletter for Fall 2020 here!
- LEAF Newsletter for September 2018 here!
PATCH Program:
Engage with the woods in new ways.
Check out our Patch Passport Program to earn your Red Fox Patch.
2021 Forests of the Ardens Patch Requirements here!
2020 Forests of the Ardens Patch Program here!
White Squirrel (2019), Hoprocking (2020), Red Fox (2021)
Sherwood Forest Stream Restoration
Power Point Presentation from Town Meeting 6/27/16: Sherwood Forest Stream Restoration
Sherwood Forest Restoration Plans
Protecting Naaman’s Watershed: adding to the buffer
Power Point Presentation from Town Meeting 3/27/17: Purchase of 1.6 acres at 5 Mill Race Road
We have a rare opportunity to add to the forested zone across Naaman’s Creek from Arden. See the map by clicking here.
A riparian buffer is the transition zone from the aquatic environment to the upland. With a zone of sufficient width, the forested buffers are of great value. A Riparian Buffer can:
- Control flooding: It will slow and reduce flow of water to creek
- Improve water quality: Plants filter sediment, nutrients and pollutants
- Reduce erosion: Plants keep soil in place, helping to maintain the buffer
- Increase wildlife diversity: A zone of sufficient size is important for habitat
- Control water temperature: Shade helps keep the water at temperatures required by wildlife
Adding this parcel of four lots will help us create a continuous buffer from Harvey Mill Park above Marsh Road through Hanby Foundation Park, Arden, Ardentown, Highland Woods, Indian Fields, Radnor Green and the Sunnyside Tract, over 2 miles length of creek and 100+ acres of wildlife corridor.
What is a Riparian Buffer?
More details about creekside corridors and how they protect the health of Naamans Creek: Click on the link to read the brochure from DNREC.
To weed or not to weed?
Click on the links below for information to assist with determining the difference between some common weeds.
“Good” weeds and beneficial native plants.
Weeds gone wild. Identify and remove invasive, non-native plant species. Read about efficient removal techniques.
Mistaken Identity: Click here for the booklet “Invasive Plants and their Native Look-alikes”
Delaware Invasive Species Council (DISC) list of Delaware’s worst invasive plants HERE
Non-native Invasive Species Best Management Practices from the USDA Forest Service: Guidance. here
NY Botanical Garden: Thain Family Forest Program Invasive Species Best Management Practices
NYBG, a preeminent plant conservation organization restored 50 acres of old-growth forest in the heart of the Bronx. They published a remarkable document detailing the management practices for each invasive plant as a part of their plan to maintain the forest from 2008-2025. Read it here. The forest committee follows these guidelines.
Forest Use Permit
If you or your group would like to have a fire at Indian Circle or hold an event in the forest, please fill out the Forests & Indian Circle Use Permit. It can be found on the Village Permits Page.
Minutes
Minutes will be posted as they are approved by the committee.
2021— January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2020— January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2019— January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August (did not meet) | September | October | November | December
2018— January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2017— January | February | March | April | May download | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2016— January | February | March | April |May |June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2015 — January | February | March | April | May | June | August | September | October | November | December
2014 — March | May | June | August | November | December
2013 — January | February | March | April | May | June | July | September | October | November |
2012 — January | March | April | May | August | September
2011 — January | March | May | Summer Tree Risk Assessments | November