Updates

Sparta Mountain Trail and Site Closure February through March 2025

A 27-acre area that includes just over 1/3-mile of trail on the southern part of Sparta Mountain WMA will be temporarily closed to the public on or about February 1, 2025 through March 31, 2025 (see map). Please remove any tree stands, blinds, or other items remaining in this area before work begins, pay attention to the posted signs in this area, and do not enter the posted area.

The purpose of the temporary closure is for a habitat restoration project that will open the forest canopy to allow for the growth of young oak and hickory trees, blackberries, sedges, and a variety of other native shrub and sapling plants. This habitat will become breeding and/or foraging habitat for numerous wildlife, including the 80 different bird species that have been observed using other sites of restored open-canopy forest on Sparta Mountain WMA.

NJ Fish & Wildlife regrets having to close the area. However, during previous management activities, spectators entering the work area and disregarding posted signs created significant safety concerns that result in the current closure during the entire work period.

Upcoming Activities

2025/26 Planned Activity

Stand 18b Young Forest Restoration: In accordance with the 2021 Addendum and the approved 2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan forest management activities in the form of a modified seed tree prescription will be implemented on 10 acres within Stand 18 next fall/winter (November 2025 – March 2026). This prescription will likely retain around 20 sq. ft. of basal area per acre across the 10-acre site to allow for the growth of young oak and hickory trees, blackberries, sedges, and a variety of other native shrub and sapling plants. This will help regenerate oak forests and create breeding and/or foraging habitat for the 80 different bird species that have been observed using other managed sites on Sparta Mountain WMA.

Trees to be retained will likely be the co-dominant or dominant size classes that are of good vigor for longevity. In some instances, we may retain clusters of trees – some of which may not fit the above description if they have high wildlife value (i.e. stems with advanced decay, cavities or exfoliating bark). Desirable trees that are underrepresented in the area (e.g. white oak and black cherry) may also be retained for diversity purposes. Additionally, white ash stems that do not already exhibit characteristics of Emerald Ash Borer infestation may be preserved to retain genetic diversity in the event those individuals are resistant to the insect. Work will begin on or after November 16, 2025, and all tree felling will be completed by or before March 31, 2026. Any tree stands, blinds, or other items remaining in this area when work begins will be removed. For safety reasons, this area will be temporarily closed to unauthorized personnel while work is being conducted.

The public comment period for this activity will be open January 31, 2025 through March 31, 2025.

2024/25 Planned Activity

Stand 2 Young Forest Restoration: In accordance with the 2021 Addendum and the approved 2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan , forest management activities in the form of a modified seed tree prescription will be implemented on 10 acres within Stand 2 next fall/winter (November 2024 – March 2025). This prescription will likely retain around 20 sq. ft. of basal area per acre across the 10-acre site to allow for the growth of young oak and hickory trees, blackberries, sedges, and a variety of other native shrub and sapling plants. This will also create breeding and/or foraging habitat for the 80 different bird species that have been observed using other managed sites on Sparta Mountain WMA, as well as help regenerate oak forests.

Trees to be retained will likely be the co-dominant or dominant size classes that are of good vigor for longevity. In some instances we may retain clusters of trees – some of which may not fit the above description if they have high wildlife value (i.e. stems with advanced decay, cavities or exfoliating bark). Desirable trees that are underrepresented in the area (e.g. white oak and black cherry) may also be retained for diversity purposes. Additionally, white ash stems that do not already exhibit characteristics of Emerald Ash Borer infestation may be preserved to retain genetic diversity in the event those individuals are resistant to the insect. Work will begin on or after November 16, 2024, and all tree felling will be completed by or before March 31, 2025. Any tree stands, blinds, or other items remaining in this area when work begins will be removed. For safety reasons, this area will be temporarily closed to unauthorized personnel while work is being conducted.

Completed Activities

Information about all the completed forestry activities on Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area can be found on the Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan Implementation website.

More Information

2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan
Addendum to the 2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan
Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Implementation
Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Homepage