Thursday Night Nature: Can One Community Save a Forest? with Laurie Cleveland and Rob Aluck (August 10, 2023)

Over 1 million trees are dying in the Sourland forest of Central New Jersey—that’s over 20% of ALL trees—due to an invasive insect, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). The ash crisis could severely impact the forest’s ability to filter air and water, reduce flooding, sequester carbon and provide critical habitat. The effects could be devastating for the humans and other wildlife who rely on the forest—including 57 state-listed threatened and endangered species. Join Laurie Cleveland and Rob Aluck of the Sourland Conservancy as they share the hopeful story of the community’s efforts to restore this unique and important ecosystem.

Robert Aluck, stewardship director of the Sourland Conservancy, has always had a passion for nature and wildlife growing up on the waters of Long Island, NY. Though he spent the past 10 years working in fisheries management programs on the federal level throughout the country, he has come to the Sourlands looking to help terrestrial wildlife in his local community. Aluck joined the Sourland Conservancy in 2022 looking to leave a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. In his spare time, he likes to be with his family, fishing and learning more about the native species he is working to protect.

Laurie Cleveland, executive director, joined the Sourland Conservancy’s staff in 2015 to help connect people with nature—and each other. An active member of the local community, Cleveland works to partner with local, regional and national organizations to implement education, advocacy and stewardship initiatives to save the Sourlands. During her time at the Conservancy, she has spearheaded a number of initiatives raising the visibility, effectiveness and impact of the organization’s work—including an ongoing goal of planting 10,000 trees per year to mitigate the impact of the ash crisis. Additionally, she serves as secretary of the Hopewell Borough Economic Development Committee and is a member of the advisory board of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM). In her spare time, Cleveland enjoys photography, reading, gardening and exploring the Sourland trails.

Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)

All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.