Friends Of Princeton Open Space To Host Fall Fest Fundraiser

PRINCETON, NJ — Friends of Princeton Open Space will host its annual Fall Fest fundraiser Sept. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mountain Lakes House in the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, according to the organization.

The family-friendly event will feature seasonal food, drinks, craft beer, cider, live music and nature-themed activities for all ages, FOPOS said.

Fall Fest raises funds to sustain the organization's paid seasonal internship program, which gives college students studying environmental science and related fields hands-on conservation experience, according to FOPOS. The organization also hosts high-school-aged interns through the Municipality of Princeton's Summer Youth Employment Program.

"Interns are an integral part of FOPOS's community-powered stewardship efforts throughout the greater Mountain Lakes Recreation Area, helping lead volunteers, maintain trails, facilitate environmental education programs, collect field data for ecological monitoring, and advance habitat restoration projects," Anna Corichi, FOPOS director of natural resources and stewardship, said in a statement.

"Their work supports large-scale restoration projects, including forest and riparian restoration at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve and a 45-acre forest restoration project at Community Park North, undertaken in partnership with the Municipality of Princeton."

Over the past year, FOPOS interns helped lead more than 1,000 community volunteers and more than 30 business and community groups, according to the organization. Interns also conducted tree health surveys to monitor beech leaf disease, hosted free monthly nature walks, and led volunteers in invasive plant removal and native plant installation.

"Fall Fest is a celebration of the people who make our work possible," said Jackie Halaw, FOPOS program coordinator. "Our interns, volunteers, donors, and community partners all play an important role in caring for Princeton's open spaces. We hope the community will join us at Fall Fest to meet the interns behind many of our programs and celebrate our community's collective impact."

Early bird tickets are $60 per person through Sept. 12 and $70 per person beginning Sept. 13, according to FOPOS.

Children ages 12 and under attend free of charge, though advance registration is required.

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