Addling and Site Aversion
To mitigate the health and water quality impacts of excessive goose waste in our parks and waterways, the Burnham Park Association is working with the nearby Alexander Hamilton Neighborhood Association, GeesePeace, the Town of Morristown and the Humane Society to pursue active goose control in Burnham Park through “addling” (replacing eggs with dummy eggs) and site aversion techniques such as the Riparian Buffer and reducing open areas of lawn.
If you would like to spend time tending to our feathered friends the Canada Geese, please fill out the form below. You can visit their nests, learn about their habits, and help stabilize their population. This volunteer project takes place weekly from late March through the end of May. The preferred commitment period is for 12 weeks, for about two hours every 7-10 days.
Volunteers are trained in the classroom and on site, where they identify nesting activity. They treat nests using a protocol developed by the Humane Society and Geese Peace. Activities are licensed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture through the town of Morristown, and under the supervision of the Morristown Environmental Commission.
The addling program has been ongoing since 2009 and has had a positive impact on population stabilization.
This is a humane way to deal with a growing resident goose population and to keep our parks, ponds, public areas and recreational facilities clean. So, shake hands with Mother Nature as Spring unfolds. Get some exercise, breathe fresh air, make new friends, and share a common goal.
If you would like to spend time tending to our feathered friends the Canada Geese, please fill out the form below. You can visit their nests, learn about their habits, and help stabilize their population. This volunteer project takes place weekly from late March through the end of May. The preferred commitment period is for 12 weeks, for about two hours every 7-10 days.
Volunteers are trained in the classroom and on site, where they identify nesting activity. They treat nests using a protocol developed by the Humane Society and Geese Peace. Activities are licensed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture through the town of Morristown, and under the supervision of the Morristown Environmental Commission.
The addling program has been ongoing since 2009 and has had a positive impact on population stabilization.
This is a humane way to deal with a growing resident goose population and to keep our parks, ponds, public areas and recreational facilities clean. So, shake hands with Mother Nature as Spring unfolds. Get some exercise, breathe fresh air, make new friends, and share a common goal.
Riparian Buffer
The Riparian Buffer Zone around the pond was created in 2000 as an aspect of site aversion for geese. By not allowing a clear view from water to shore (to insure there were no predators lurking), the vegetation makes it less attractive for geese who can’t be sure the coast is clear of predators. This vegetative zone serves as a buffer to pollutants (such as goose feces) entering a stream from runoff, controls erosion, and provides habitat and nutrient input into the stream.