By Jackie Schatell and Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Every fall, the trees covering North Jersey’s rolling hills create a breathtaking, colorful scene of rusty reds and burnt oranges. Every winter, sparkling white snow blankets the landscape.

At Cedar Crest, homes with a view of the campus’s wooded nature preserve are prized real estate not only for the spectacular seasonal scenes, but also for the enjoyment of natural surroundings, plants, and wildlife.

Ray Guarrino, Cedar Crest’s director of marketing, says that homes with wooded views are always the first to go. “We have a few left in the new Woodland Commons neighborhood, but they are becoming scarce,” he says.

The nature preserve provides impressive views from the clubhouse as well as many of the homes that are part of the new Woodland Commons neighborhood. In addition, it provides a valuable environment for native plants and animals to thrive.

Preservation in action at Cedar Crest
Cedar Crest joined in the national effort to preserve valuable natural habitat when deciding to build its final neighborhood. Protecting the nature preserve behind Woodland Commons has been a top priority throughout construction.

In fact, to ensure that all New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) standards were met, planners developed maintenance procedures prohibiting the use of rock salt, fertilizers and pesticides in any areas located even remotely near the preserve. Alan Gold, Cedar Crest’s grounds supervisor, manages the nature preserve to ensure no unnatural changes affect its environment.

Although DEP regulations are strict, they are crafted to allow people access to the nature preserve. Near the clubhouse, Cedar Crest was allowed to build a walking path for people to enjoy the beautiful, natural environment. And toward the back of the wetland, a local Boy Scout Troop was allowed to construct a small observatory bridge.