Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) will hold its first Community Conservation Conference — an event for homeowners and the public — on April 18, 2026, with a keynote address by Dr. Doug Tallamy, author of “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard.” A distinguished professor at the University of Delaware, and founder of Homegrown National Park, Dr. Tallamy has a keen interest in the ecological implications of non-native plants on biodiversity.
Scheduled as a kickoff to Earth Week, FoHVOS will use the conference to unveil a revitalized Community Conservation Program with expanded education, practical how-to guides, and new opportunities for backyard action. To get yourself on the invitation list for the conference, email info@fohvos.org.
The organization’s commitment to biodiversity doesn’t end at their nature preserves or local backyards. FoHVOS is a statewide land stewardship leader through its New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team, New Jersey’s foremost resource for invasive species detection, education and eradication. Created in 2008, the Strike Team protects New Jersey’s natural lands through coordinated and strategic invasive species management. For the past three years, Kudzu — “the plant that ate the South” — has been a top priority. FoHVOS has identified over 50 populations and eradicated just over 10 percent of them. Charitable contributions are critical to keep this destructive vine at bay.
Since 1987, FoHVOS has preserved land in the Hopewell Valley to benefit both people and the natural world. Today, they steward nearly 3,000 acres using science-based strategies that foster biodiversity and build resilient ecosystems. FoHVOS’ network of preserves and trails invites meaningful connection with nature, strengthening the bond between people and the land they protect.
To donate or sign-up for the FoHVOS conservation newsletter go to FoHVOS.org.
