Rooted in Renewal: Fall Conservation at TNC

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, Tenafly Nature Center is busy preparing the land for another season of change. Fall is more than just a beautiful time to visit, it’s a critical moment for conservation, restoration, and planning for the future of our forests, ponds, and wildlife. The work done now lays the foundation for healthier habitats and stronger ecosystems in the years to come.

This summer, our trails and wetlands were alive with remarkable wildlife sightings. Eastern Box Turtles basked in the sun, a red fox darted across a fallen log, mink slipped quietly through the underbrush, a double-crested cormorant stretched its wings by the pond, and, of course, our ever-present white-tailed deer roamed throughout the preserve, a reminder of both the beauty and the challenges of balancing wildlife populations with healthy forests. Each encounter underscores why stewardship matters. This land is home to countless creatures, large and small, and it is our responsibility to protect it.

To keep the preserve thriving, we’ve been hard at work on several projects. This fall, 400 native trees will be planted around the front entrance and along the White Trail. Species such as red oak, shadbush, white oak, and sweet bay magnolia were chosen not just for their beauty, but also for their role in supporting local wildlife. Oaks alone support hundreds of species of insects and caterpillars, which in turn provide food for countless birds and mammals. These new plantings will strengthen the health of our forest and ensure the next generation of visitors can walk beneath a thriving canopy.

While new trees are being planted, our stewardship team is also continuing the challenging but critical task of invasive plant removal. This season’s efforts focus on stilt grass and mile-a-minute vine, two aggressive species that smother native plants and prevent healthy forests from regenerating. By tackling them now, we give native wildflowers, shrubs, and young trees the space they need to take root and flourish.

We also completed an inventory of our beech trees, which cover roughly 15 acres of the preserve. Tragically, Beech Leaf Disease has emerged as a major threat, with a devastating 100% mortality rate within just a few years. By mapping where beech trees are located, we can begin planning for replacements to maintain a strong and diverse canopy.

Water is equally vital to TNC, and this fall marks the start of the next phase of restoration at Pfister’s Pond. With funding from a Green Acres grant and support from the Borough of Tenafly, this project will improve water quality, enhance aquatic habitats, and strengthen the pond’s long-term resiliency. It’s an important investment in both wildlife and the visitor experience.

Guests may also notice a few changes when they arrive. To reduce waste and better protect our resources, we are no longer providing paper trail maps onsite. Instead, visitors can now explore the preserve using our new interactive digital trail map, an easy-to-use tool available at TenaflyNC.org/trail-map.

And finally, as we move deeper into the dry days of autumn, we encourage all who visit to remain mindful of fire danger. Last year’s prolonged red flag warnings forced the preserve to close for several weeks, highlighting just how vulnerable our forests can be during drought. Please check signage and alerts during your visit to help us keep both people and nature safe.

At TNC conservation is not just a seasonal task, it’s a year-round promise. Each tree we plant, each invasive vine we pull, each survey we complete helps ensure that the wildlife you saw this summer, and the many species still waiting to be discovered, will continue to thrive here.

This fall, we invite you to walk our trails, try out the new digital map, and see firsthand the work being done to keep your nature center strong, safe, and full of life.