The Community Forestry Committee is sponsoring a photography contest.
By: Mae Rhine
WEST AMWELL They provide food, shelter and other forms of protection.
They help with water runoff and soil retention.
They provide oxygen and shade.
And they’re beautiful.
Which one is your favorite?
The township Community Forestry Committee is sponsoring a "My Favorite Tree" photography contest. The committee wants residents of the township and neighboring communities to submit 4-by-6 inch color or black-and-white photographs of their favorite tree or group of trees located within the township.
The contest is part of the committee’s mission to "foster appreciation and responsible stewardship of the local forest for both its beauty and environmental impact," according to Jill Haug, a member of the committee.
"We live in a unique area," Ms. Haug said. "There are thousands of species of migratory birds that nest here" in the township, part of which is in the Sourland Mountain region.
The committee was formed in the spring of 2005 with a $2,000 state grant, which allowed members to draft a five-year plan and hire a forestry consultant. The township kicked in another $500.
One of its goals was to create the township’s recently enacted woodlands ordinance, the first of its kind in Hunterdon County, and one that pitted conservationists against some landowners.
Basically, it calls for keeping mature woodlands, rather than replacing them, on properties subject to development. Applications for subdivision or site plan approval have to include an environmental resources inventory prepared by an engineer, forester, ecologist or landscape architect. The inventory must include a natural resources inventory map, an aerial photograph and a written report.
The ordinance also calls for the appointment of a township woodlands adviser who is an expert in woodlands management or forestry. The position would be funded through developers’ fees.
Another goal of the committee to is find "hazardous trees along the road," Ms. Haug said.
She has been bicycling along township roads, looking for trees whose branches potentially could fall on cars.
"It’s taking awhile," Ms. Haug said with a smile.
She is one of five members of the committee, which includes Chairman Gary Robinson as well as members Patti Mosher, Glenn Baran and Tom Davis.
The committee also did an Arbor Day program this year at West Amwell Elementary School with the help of South Hunterdon Regional High School students and faculty.
It will have a booth at the township Country Fair, which will be held Sept. 15 from noon to 5 p.m. at the municipal building at 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road.
The day of the fair will be the deadline for contest entries, she said. Photos must be submitted by 1 p.m.
The rules are simple. The photographs must be unframed and show a tree or group of trees in the township. There is no limit to the number of entries individuals can submit.
On the back of the photograph should be the type of tree, if known, where it is located, and the name, address and phone number of the person submitting it. Photographs submitted by students should include the name of their school and grade as of the 2007-08 school year.
The committee can’t afford cash prizes, Ms. Haug said, but it will award ribbons for first, second and third place. Categories will be determined by the number of entries received, she said.
Ms. Haug said the committee is planning to display the winning photos at the municipal building.
She said it also hopes it will be an annual event so trees can be photographed in different seasons.
"This is our first attempt," she said. "We hope to iron out a lot of the bugs."
Entries can be dropped off at the municipal building or at the fair, or mailed to the committee at the municipal building’s address.

