Earth Keepers in Long Branch

In April 2018, a group of concerned citizens – the Friends of Jackson Woods – formed to revitalize Jackson Woods Park to benefit their community. The park was once left unattended becoming overgrown with invasive plants. The groups vision is to turn it into a unique and beautiful space for passive recreation and education, a place where nature and the arts thrive together making a visit to Jackson Woods an experience to remember. In the last five years, a lot of progress has been made. Yet, there is still much to do.

Our ongoing park restoration work involves outdoor gardening and landscaping tasks, including clearing, cutting back, and removing invasive vines and shrubs; weeding; spreading wood chips; planting native plants, flowers, and tree seedlings; and building tree cages. We work on one section of the park at a time, taking before and after photos to chronicle our progress! In case of inclement weather, work days are canceled. After a workday of fresh air and exercise, you can relax and enjoy the nearby ocean. We are down the street from Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, including an ocean beach and skatepark.

Need-To-Know:

• If you would like to volunteer with a group larger than the volunteer spaces alloted please join the waitlist and contact [email protected]. We will find out if there is room to add volunteers to your volunteer shift.

• Meet at the parking lot near the main entrance

• Since we may work in various locations around the 13-acre park, any late arrivers should contact the park volunteer leader. More about their contact information will be emailed to you once you sign up.

• Volunteers will receive a brief orientation upon arrival. Bring your own water and snacks, if desired.

• Volunteers should dress for the weather since activities are outdoors. We suggest long pants, long sleeves and closed toed shoes that can get muddy. Also, sunglasses or other protective eyewear may also be helpful.

• Tools are provided. You may bring your own work gloves or use ones we provide. We have yard tools and gloves, though volunteers are welcome to bring their own.

• We work in light rain or shine. If the workday will be cancelled we will notify registered volunteers ASAP.

Orientation Video: Are you new to Jersey Cares? Watch our brief orientation video to learn more about who we are, what we do and how to sign-up for a project.

FAQ’s: For answers to our frequently asked questions, please visit the Help section of our website.

Waivers: All projects have non-negotiable age restrictions that are noted on the upper right side of each project description. If you meet the age restriction but are under 18, please have a parent or legal guardian complete the required youth waiver and bring with you to the project. Adults attending the project can expedite the registration process by printing the adult waiver in advance, sign and bring with you.