Our Recent Projects
Project Time Line
2014- The months of July and August NEST! garnered community support in the form of support letters from surrounding community groups that would have a major stake in the project; Plumsted Presbyterian Church, NE Baseball Association, and local MOMS club. Wednesday July 6th 2014 NEST! and the local Boy Scout Anthony Plaag arranged to be part of the agenda for the local township committee and gave a PowerPoint presentation to ensure the Mayor and committee approved and granted permission to move on with the project.
2015- February NEST! team wrote the content, designed the layout, and ordered two interpretive park signs.
2015- May 23rd we worked with AGU who donated lumber for the 8’X8’ (3) flower beds. Volunteers built the beds, installed them, and marked out the layout of the rest of Home Run Garden. Later the flower beds were rototilled and prepped for plantings.
2015- June the scout erected the Chimney Swift tower that was prebuilt in pieces at another location.
2015- Monarch tagging demo and release parties
2016- March timeframe two park benches were donated and installed.
2016- April NEST! president donated a 21’ flag pole and a $165 3X5 nylon flag was created and donated by Kempton Flag LLC with the NEST! logo on it for the HRG area.
2016- July additional milkweed was planted adding a large grove of common milkweed which was donated by Big Woods Nursery. Each spring through July as the garden matures we have had to add or cutback plants. The goal is to always add native species that are less reliant on water, butterfly food, and never enough milkweed plantings.
2016- Several Monarch Release parties
2017- Doubled the outfield which now the baseball diamond is complete with home plate, 3 flower bed bases, pitcher’s mound butterfly bush, right field of zinnias and left field of zinnias with stepping stone path, and foul posts with Butterfly Crossing signage.
With a contact at the USDA we were able to provide a tested and true blueprint for the scout to work off to build the Chimney swift tower.”
That project was the initial development phase of what has now become not only a haven for chimney swifts but for butterflies, insects, raccoons, and 2 legged humans. This project could not have been achieved without local business support and NEST! volunteers. Thank you to local businesses that have donated not once but multiple times over the years and continue to support this gem in New Egypt. Those businesses are in particular order: Big Woods Nursery, Animals & Garden Unlimited (AGU), Herman’s Landscape Supply, ArborVision Tree Service, Boy Scout troop 109, Al’s Signs and Truck Lettering, Bev Vienckowski Graphic Design LLC, Kempton Flags, and Plumsted Township staff.
Early in 2014 an old condemned playground was removed at the NE Recreational Complex which is Open Space. The area had become overgrown and had left over concrete and landscaping fabric in the ground so the idea of having a garden there was spurred by necessity to reclaim the space for public enjoyment. In that same period of time NEST! president William Lewis was approached by a local Boy Scout looking for ideas for his Eagle Scout project. NEST! president said, “We offered up several ideas and projects we had on our wish list and he was enthusiastic about a Chimney Swift tower. After we met with the young man we knew this project would turn into something wonderful. The young man was full of energy, goal focused, and very detail orientated.
Home Run Garden
Paradise Park Update
The renovation of Paradise Park was a huge success! Many youth volunteers from NEST! came to help construct the sight that Paradise Park is today! Bird houses were created and used to display the several bird feeders purchased from the local Agway. Many volunteers later revisited the park to plant the several trees and bushes that were donated by Big Woods Nursery. After hours of pulling and tugging roots from the ground, gorgeous new forms of life were planted and continue to remain in the park. Representatives from NEST! also created new wooden benches that were added to the scenic view of Paradise Park. Overall, the park creation resulted from countless hours of teamwork from dedicated NEST! members who continue to be thanked for their effort. Also, a special thanks to Big Woods Nursery and Agway for their contribution to the project!
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We have recently installed a gourd Purple Martin pole at Paradise Park in New Egypt, New Jersey.
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We have installed Little Free Lending libraries off of Brynmore Road at the NE Rec Field complex. A few weeks ago we also installed one at Tooties which has a spanish book section.
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Bird feeding station built and installed at Allentown lake on the Old Mills property in the shape of a Japanese Torrii.
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Annual wreath workshop in the fall/early winter
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Outdoor Classroom with a local Eagle Scout at Paradise Park is complete.
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We donated bluebird boxes to the school district
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We continue to monitor our bluebird trail at Good Tree Farm which already had two successful fledging bluebird nests.
Recent Involvement in the Community
Paradise Park Makes a Comeback
Members represented NEST! at Paradise Park in New Egypt, New Jersey as they cleaned up the quiet park. Many families joined in the contribution to create bird houses, plant trees, and construct seating areas for the park. Overall the opporation was a huge success! A few weeks later, to show off the new park, NEST! members held a free movie night showing in the park.
Until recently if someone were to ask, "Where is Paradise Park?", many would not have any idea. However, thanks to the promotion of the park, many families have been able to embrace the beauty of the peaceful area that lies in the center of New Egypt, New Jersey.
What better way to enjoy the small town of New Egypt than to spend the time outdoors? NEST! is a non-profit organization that has been involved with encouraging children and their families to stay active in the environment. Since the formation of the organization in 2012, many people have joined the cause and have decided to spend more time outside. NEST! is involved in many community events as well as countless club-run events.
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Older News: Paradise Park Featured in the News
A few months ago the idea was formed to reconstruct a local park with the intentions of spreading the word to get more people outdoors. The organization's big goals were able to do exactly that! After applying for grants, the idea of renovation was accepted and NEST! was able to get right to work! Countless volunteers did what they could to lend a helping hand. Hours were spent on the piece of land. To begin the project, volunteers helped construct a bird house that could be used to hang bird feeders that were purchased from Agway in New Egypt.
When the weather became warmer, NEST! volunteers visited the park once again. This time, they were devoted to planting various trees and shrubs from Big Woods Nursery, located nearby on Brynmore Road. Many young members helped to renovate the area. After hours of tugging and pulling roots from the ground, new forms of life were planted and the once plain field was transformed into a beautiful scenic area. Meanwhile, the children were able to learn how to plant the several bushes and trees to create a sight to see.
A few weeks later, representatives from NEST! created seating areas for the park. Two beautiful park benches were donated as well as a picnic table. The contributions to the area allowed more people to become aware of the park. Now instead of sitting inside all day, more people have become encouraged to spend their time outdoors in the park. At the heart of New Egypt the park has allowed a spot to relax while being surrounded by the natural beauty. Located right beside the park is Oakford Lake which has a tendency to contain geese that like to enjoy the park as well.
Recently NEST! was able to encourage more people to visit the park when they held a movie night at Paradise Park. "Furry Vengeance" was shown on a projection screen when it began to get dark. Members claim that it was an amazing turnout. Aside from the comical movie, many of the town citizens showed up to watch the show. NEST! plans to hold more of these types of events to further encourage families to get involved in the environment!
