Operation WRIP (Watchung Reservation Invasive Plants) will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Registration is required to participate.  Camping and participation is FREE.

The goal of the event will be to remove as many invasive plants from the Watchung Reservation forest ecosystem as possible in one morning. 

On that date, it is expected that Japanese barberry and multiflora rosa bushes will be the only plants in the forest with green leaves, making it easy to identify them. The plants will be removed by pulling, digging up the root balls, or cutting. 

Registration must be by Scout unit, not by individuals.  Each unit must have a minimum of one Scout and one SYT-certified registered leader.  For three or more Scouts, at least two SYT-certified registered leaders are required.

Participants must arrive and check-in from 8:00 am to 8:30 am. Participants will park at the Trailside Nature & Science Center parking lot, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside and will gather at the amphitheater located between there and the Scout Camping Area. Union County Parks staff will provide instructions on how to remove plants and then make assignments. All participants will return to the amphitheater at noon to check-out. 

Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venture Crew participants will be assigned to specific areas throughout the 2,143-acre park. Units will need to transport their members to those locations. 

County staff and Watchung Reservation Trail Stewards will be on site to provide logistical support and technical guidance. Some work gloves and tools will be available for use by event participants.

Service hours can be credited toward rank advancements or as conservation hours for Camping Merit Badge or the 50-Miler Award (a good opportunity for Philmont crews). Operation WRIP will be a light rain or shine event.

The Union County Department of Parks & Recreation will waive the permit fee for any Scouts BSA troops or Venture Crews who wish to camp overnight Friday and/or Saturday at the Watchung Reservation Scout Camping Area. Campsites will be assigned by Union County Parks based on your registration response for the Operation WRIP event. The number of campsites available may be limited.

This event will be presented by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. All participants are asked to register by Wednesday, April 10, 2026.  Complete details will be emailed to participants after they register.