EarthShare New Jersey members will be hosting activities at
Liberty State Park, the Meadowlands, the Pinelands, Cape May and
everywhere in between. You don’t want to miss out. Fall is a
great time to explore the Garden State!
Visit
earthsharenj.org for more information and a listing of
events statewide!
****************
Hiking the Clyde
Potts Reservoir
More than 50
people joined the Conservancy and Mendham and Randolph Townships
to hike the Clyde Potts Reservoir on Sunday, July 17.
Thank you to all who participated! Click below for the
informational handouts.
Join
us for a Celebration in the Highlands!
Press event and
celebration
Thursday, June 23, 2011, 3-5pm
Silas Condict County Park,
100 Kinnelon Road, Kinnelon, NJ
The Land
Conservancy of New Jersey and the Borough of Kinnelon cordially
invite you to a press event and celebration highlighting the
preservation of the Weber tract, the newest addition to Morris
County’s park system.
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey and Mount Olive Township
cordially invite you to attend a Press Event and Tour
celebrating
the newest addition to the South Branch Preserve on May 26th
from 4-6 pm. The preservation of this property is our 300th
land preservation project - a perfect time for celebration in
our
30th Anniversary year! This event will also
mark the
50th Anniversary of the New Jersey Green Acres Program.
The Conservancy will
be an educational exhibitor at this one-day event inviting
visitors to shop from distinguished vendors for rare plants,
distinctive garden antiques, as well as attend lectures and
demonstrations from nationally known speakers. The focus is on
education and horticulture and the many ways to increase
awareness of gardening and public gardens in New Jersey.
Santini Farm
Preserved in Franklin Township, Warren County!
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that 88
acres of farmland in Franklin Township, Warren County have been
preserved. Owned by Santino and Clara Santini, this farm is part
of a rich agricultural farmbelt near Warren County’s southern
border with Hunterdon County. The Santini Farm is located within
the Pohatcong Ridge Project Area identified in the Township’s
Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan completed by Franklin
Township and The Land Conservancy
of New Jersey in 2008.
Nosenzo Pond Park - 27
Acres of Recreational Space Preserved
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that the
Township of West Milford has preserved 27 acres for open space
and recreation. With assistance provided by The Land
Conservancy, the Township purchased Nosenzo Pond Park, which is
located behind West Milford Township High School, near the
intersection of Lower Starlight Road and Nosenzo Pond Road.
This event, sponsored yearly by the
New
Jersey Audubon Society, helps focus attention on New
Jersey’s strategic importance to migrating birds and helps
organizations like the Conservancy raise money to protect
natural habitat.
Click here to make a pledge for the Conservancy's team the
Highland Hawks!
Check out our blog about the World Series of Birding by the
Conservancy's team captain, Dennis Briede
****************
Please
join us for a Map Launch Party Thursday, April 28!
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
A short presentation is scheduled for 7pm
when the new map will be unveiled
Location: Ramsey Outdoor*, Succasunna
* Ramsey
Outdoor is
offering 20% off coupons to our members
on the day of the event. Coupon is good for 20% off any single regular priced item or
10% off any sale item.
There are a few exclusions, but it
applies to almost everything!
A critical 14 acre property in Mount Olive has been donated by
Linda and John Walsh to The Land Conservancy of New Jersey for
permanent preservation. This forested property contains a
perennial stream and is an important part the headwaters of the
South Branch of the Raritan River which provides clean drinking
water to more than 1 million New Jersey residents. “We thank
Linda and John Walsh for their generosity and dedication in
preserving this important property,” said Conservancy President
David Epstein. “They have set a wonderful example of caring for
their community that we hope will inspire others to join our
effort.”
more
****************
We are
Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary!
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey had its beginnings on July
30th 1981 when our newly formed organization was incorporated.
Then known as the Morris County Parks and Conservation
Foundation, the group was run by volunteers operating out of a
single room in the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. We have grown and
evolved since our early days. Today we are a nationally
accredited land trust and a state leader in land conservation
with a headquarters of our own. We will be celebrating our 30th
Anniversary in a variety of ways throughout the year. Please
join us for one (or all) of these special events.
Do
something great for Earth Day – Recycle your unwanted treasures
and help us preserve more land!
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is urging Kinnelon residents
to turn your spring cleaning into a family recycling day to
benefit land preservation in New Jersey. The Conservancy
will be collecting your unwanted “treasures” at the Kinnelon
Conserves 5th Annual Earth Day Fair & Eco-Expo on Saturday April
9. The Conservancy will accept high quality re-salable
items in good condition that weigh less than 10 pounds and are
no larger than two square feet (No furniture or clothing,
please).
more
****************
2011 Scholarship
Applications Must be Postmarked by April 1st!
Our Scholarship
Program awards two Scholarships annually, the Russell W.
Myers Scholarship and the Rogers Family Scholarship.
A total of $14,000 (7,000 each) will be awarded in 2011 to two
deserving students studying in the field of environmental
science, natural resource management, conservation,
horticulture, park administration, or a related field.
Applications are due April 1, 2011.
more
****************
Signs
of Spring! New blog entry by Staff
Naturalist Dennis Briede
At this time of
year we are still in the wrath of this snowy winter but there
are already many signs that spring is just around the corner....
This
celebration features environmental awareness and the members of
EarthShare New Jersey. Guests are invited to enjoy the sounds
of Stringzville and participate in the eco friendly chance and
silent auctions which feature exclusive environmental
experiences, tickets to sports events/concerts/shows, and items
from some of your favorite businesses across the state.
For more information or to purchase tickets
click here.
****************
Dear Land
Conservancy of New Jersey supporters,
It’s Easy to
Be Green this holiday season! Each year, membership
contributions help The Land Conservancy permanently preserve
thousands of acres of New Jersey’s vanishing open space land and
protect our valuable water resources. Thanks to our members’
support The Land Conservancy has preserved more than 17,000
acres of New Jersey’s natural landscape. Your continuing support
is vital to our mission.
If you have
not had the opportunity to become a Conservancy member or to
renew your membership this year, there is still time to make a
gift to support our important work. As a Conservancy
member you will have a voice in the important land conservation
issues affecting our state. Join us, and together we can protect
our natural lands and pass them on, healthy and vibrant, to
future generations.
Wishing you
and your family best wishes for the holidays,
David
Epstein
President
****************
New blog entry! While the physical restoration of the South
Branch Preserve may be complete, ongoing monitoring of the
property is now critical... to read more click here
tlcnj.blogspot.com
****************
Preserve Now - Protect Forever
AN
ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVE Honoring The Land Conservancy of New Jersey
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that the
Santini Trust Farm in Franklin Township, Warren County has been
permanently preserved. This 106-acre farm is owned by the Clara
S. Santini and the Santino J. Santini Testament Trust (“Santini
Trust”) and has been protected through the purchase of an
agricultural easement ensuring the land remains farmland in
perpetuity.
126-Acre
Bain Farm Preserved in Frankford Township, Sussex County
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to
announce that the Bain Farm, a 126-acre farm located near the
corner of Route 206 and Plains Road in Frankford Township, has
been preserved. This scenic farm lies near the Paulins Kill and
atop a sloping ridge that is visible from many vantage points in
Sussex County. It is an important acquisition for the Township,
County, and State, as it is located within Frankford Township’s
prime agricultural belt, as outlined in the Township’s Open
Space & Recreation Plan which was recently updated by the
Township’s Open Space Committee and by the Conservancy.
more
****************
98-Acre ‘Random
Woods’ Parcel Preserved in West Milford,
Expands Greenway
With the assistance
of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, a 98-acre parcel of
ecologically rich land was recently preserved by West Milford
Township. Nestled in the rolling hills of the New Jersey
Highlands, “Random Woods” is located on ridge road and in close
proximity to municipal complexes and the central downtown area.
It was previously the subject of a development application and
prior to the implementation of the Highlands Act in 2004, it had
preliminary approval for 103 singe family homes.
Former Rezamir
Estates Property Preserved, Restoration Begun
The Land
Conservancy of New Jersey and the Trust for Public Land (TPL)
partner with
Mount Olive and Morris County to preserve critical watershed in
New Jersey Highlands
The Land Conservancy
of New Jersey is pleased to announce the purchase of the former
134-acre Rezamir Estates property in the Township of Mt. Olive
on June 9, 2010 in partnership with the Trust for Public Land,
Morris County, Mt. Olive Township, and the State of New Jersey.
The property will be known as The South Branch Preserve
Restoration Project as it is located within the headwaters of
the South Branch of the Raritan River.
more
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey will be tracking the
restoration of the property on our blog site.
Click here to connect to our blog and become one of our
followers!
****************
Greene Farm
Preserved in Frelinghuysen Township
With assistance from
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, the 32-acre Greene Farm was
preserved on June 15, 2010. The Greene Farm is located near
Jenny Jump State Park and within the Hope Preservation Area of
Frelinghuysen Township. The Greene Farm was identified as a
priority farmland project in both the 2005 and 2008
Frelinghuysen Township Farmland Preservation Plan, produced by
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey in partnership with the
Township’s Farmland Preservation Committee.
The farmland project
contains over 200 acres of preserved farmland. The Greene Farm
was preserved through the State Agriculture Development
Committee’s municipal Planning Incentive Grant program. This was
the first time the Township used these state grant funds which
were originally awarded in 2006. The Township provided matching
funds through its municipal Open Space Trust Fund.
The land within the farm produces hay and crops. “This project
exemplifies the determination of the State, County and
municipality to overcome funding hurdles and accomplish farmland
preservation projects” said Megan Haidet, the Conservancy's Land
Preservation Specialist who worked on the project. The
Conservancy, Township, County, and State are pleased to have
preserved this farmland which helps further New Jersey’s goals
of retaining its unique “garden state” identity.
****************
Partners for
Parks Project Held at Wagner Farm Arboretum
Forty-five
sanofi-aventis employees spent the day working hard to beautify
and improve the grounds at the Wagner Farm Arboretum’s
“Children's Garden”. The volunteers worked tirelessly and
succeeded in placing 220 linear feet of metal edging along the
main brick walkway, and spreading 12 cubic yards of wood chips
along a path which connected the “Children's Garden” to the main
building. In addition, many other significant projects were
completed, including weeding, spreading top soil and mulching.
Volunteers were able to build 6 raised garden beds, and added
new top soil and wood chips along the pathways between each of
the raised beds. This work contributes to the progress of these
evolving gardens that have been established to benefit community
members and the general public.
Since 2000, sanofi-aventis volunteer groups have participated in
13 Partners for Parks projects, with over 300 employees
participating in a variety of stewardship projects in both
Morris and Somerset counties.
The Partners for Parks program is made possible in part
thanks to our corporate sponsors. 2010 corporate sponsors
include: BASF, Goldman Sachs & Co., Investors Savings Bank,
Merck & Co., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, sanofi-aventis, UPS and
Walmart.
****************
52 Acres Added
to the Trout Brook Wildlife Management Area
With
support from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, 52
acres have been added to the Trout Brook Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) in Stillwater Township by the
State of New Jersey. On May 26th the state announced the
preservation of the former Calitre property in the
Township. Immediately adjacent to the WMA, and entirely
forested, the property includes Troy Brook, a Category
One waterway, which bisects the land in a southwesterly
direction. According to the NJDEP Landscape Project, the
property also contains habitat for threatened and
endangered species such as the barred owl, the timber
rattlesnake, and the Jefferson salamander.
This is the fourth property that the Conservancy has
assisted the Township and State with preserving for the
purpose of expanding the Trout Brook WMA. These four
projects have added a total of 665 acres of preserved
land to the Trout Brook WMA.
4th Place for
the Conservancy's World Series of Birding Team!
The Conservancy's World Series of birding team, the
Highland Hawks, put their skills to the test at the 27th
Annual World Series of Birding event. They combed the
state with one thing in mind; identifying as many
species of birds as possible in a 24-hour period.
Considering the fairly large list of competitors the
team placed 4th, spotting and identifying 200 birds.
Pictured at the end of their 24 hour trek throughout New
Jersey are the members of The Land Conservancy of New
Jersey’s World Series of Birding team, the ‘Highlands
Hawks’. From left, Dennis Miranda from Vernon and team
Captain, Steve Rodan from Cape May, The Land
Conservancy’s Stewardship Manager, Dennis Briede of
Blairstown & Stephen Kloiber, from Pen Argyl, PA.
The event, sponsored yearly by the New Jersey Audubon
Society, helps focus attention on New Jersey’s strategic
importance to migrating birds and helps organizations
like the Conservancy raise money to protect natural
habitat. This was the 15th year the Conservancy
participated in the event.
As stated by Dennis Briede, ‘We traveled over 700 miles
throughout the state, from Vernon in northeastern Sussex
County, down through Forsythe Wildlife Refuge in
Oceanville and then all the way to Cape May. Considering
how breezy it was we still managed to hear or spot a
total of 200 species of birds, from the swift peregrine
falcon to the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird. About
eighty percent of all the birds on the list are heard
rather than seen, which means you have to know your bird
calls for over 150 species.”
As a result of the record number of birds identified,
the team was able to raise over $16,000 through pledges
made for each species they spotted. The money raised
will be used to help the Conservancy continue its
efforts to preserve open space lands and protect water
resources in New Jersey.
The
Conservancy would also like to thank Toyota/Lexus of
Parsippany for donating the use of a hybrid SUV for the
team to use on their trek.
****************
Historic
Dower Farm Preserved!
The
historic Dower Farm in the Peapack Valley has been
preserved by The Land Conservancy of New Jersey in
partnership with the Somerset County Agriculture
Development Board, State Agriculture Development
Committee, and the Borough of Peapack & Gladstone.
Overlooking the Sourland Mountains, these scenic 47
acres were permanently protected on March 23, 2010
through an agricultural easement purchased for
$1,960,817. “The Land Conservancy is extremely grateful
to the van den Bergh family for their dedication to
preservation, and also to the SADC, the Somerset CADB,
and the Borough of Peapack & Gladstone for their support
in preserving Dower Farm. The preservation of this farm
is central to the future of this lovely and historic
landscape. This project is unique in that in addition to
preserving land for agriculture, we have also protected
a cultural icon that well represents a very special
place in our state,” said Sandy Urgo, Land Preservation
Manager for The Land Conservancy of New Jersey.
Check
us out in the current issue of New Jersey Countryside
Magazine! On stands now The article takes a look at
organizations working to preserve the countryside in the
Garden State and features many pictures of properties
preserved with the assistance of the Conservancy.
****************
222 Acres Preserved in
Byram for Recreation and Conservation
On Friday February 19th, Byram Township, with the assistance
of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, concluded a four year
effort to secure 222 acres of the New Jersey Highlands known
as the Hudson Farm Greenway for $4,150,000.
more
****************
Conservancy President David Epstein was featured on ISSUES
AND IDEAS this past Sunday on WSUS-FM
102.3, WNNJ-FM 103.7, WHCY-FM 106.3, and WTOC-AM 1360.
30-Acre Farm
Permanently Preserved in Frelinghuysen Township
The
30-acre Woodcock farm in Frelinghuysen Township was
permanently preserved by grants provided by The Land
Conservancy of New Jersey and the Warren County farmland
preservation program. Since 2006 The Land Conservancy of New
Jersey has helped Frelinghuysen Township preserved 195 acres
of open space and farmland in their community. Located at
the scenic corner of Golden Chain Road and Camp Wasigan
Road, the Woodcock Farm is an active farm supporting beef
cattle and chickens with hay grown on its gently rolling
fields. “The Land Conservancy has been working with the
family since 2006,” stated Megan Haidet Land Preservation
Specialist with the Conservancy. “Through their dedication
and the support of the Township and County we are happy to
see this farm permanently protected.”
During
the final months of 2009, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey
in partnership with municipalities, counties, the state, and
other organizations assisted in the preservation of nine
properties totaling 332 acres throughout Morris, Sussex,
Essex & Warren counties. Five of these properties were
preserved in the final 10 days of the year! In many
instances innovative partnerships and diverse funding
sources were needed to bring a successful project to
conclusion. Projects were steeped in history, offered new
opportunities for a variety of recreational activities, and
protected our farmland, water resources, forests, and
habitats for threatened and endangered species
NJ Nets at Branch
Brook Park for Partner for Parks Project
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey’s
Partners for
Parks program held a project recently at Branch
Brook Park in Newark with employees from the NJ Nets.
Pictured left are the four NJ Nets players and their mascot
who attended the project. From left, Josh Boone, Bobby
Simmons, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee and Sly.
As part of NBA
Cares Week of Service, volunteers spent the day working hard
weeding, pruning and spreading wood chips around 40 cherry
trees. This work was necessary in order to prepare for the
winter months ahead and helps to ensure the health of the
cherry blossoms enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors
during the parks’ cherry blossom festival held each April.
****************
11 Acres Added to South
Mountain Reservation in West Orange!
Local Leaders Support Public Question #1
Staff and Board
Members of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey joined Essex
County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., West Orange
Mayor John McKeon, Dennis Percher from South Mountain
Conservancy, and Cathy Elliott-Shaw from the New Jersey
Green Acres program to announce the preservation of 11 acres
of open space in West Orange on Friday, October 23rd. The
parcel will become part of Essex County’s South Mountain
Reservation and be open to the public for recreation. In
addition, the County Executive announced his endorsement of
Public Question #1 on the November 3rd ballot to provide
$400 million of funding for the NJ Green Acres program.
Accreditation Awarded by
the Land Trust Accreditation Commission
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey has become the first New
Jerseybased land trust organization to achieve
accreditation in the state. The announcement was made by
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent
program of the national Land Trust Alliance.
more
****************
The Conservancy's PSA
The
Conservancy's PSA ran at the AMC theaters in Rockaway and
East Hanover this summer. Check it out!
***************
184-Acre Koehler Property
Preserved
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey partnered with Boonton
Township, Kinnelon Borough, and Rockaway Township to
complete the purchase of the 184 acre Koehler Pond Property.
This property is adjacent to more than 8000 acres of public
land in the Farny Highlands including Buck Mountain State
Park and Jersey City watershed lands. This is the third
conservation property that The Land Conservancy has
purchased from the Koehler family. The first two properties,
totaling 587 acres, were located in Rockaway Township and
were added to the Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area in
2005.
Celebrate
EarthShare New Jersey Week!
Join
us for a Watershed Celebration!
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that 88
acres of farmland in Franklin Township, Warren County have been
preserved. Owned by Santino and Clara Santini, this farm is part
of a rich agricultural farmbelt near Warren County’s southern
border with Hunterdon County. The Santini Farm is located within
the Pohatcong Ridge Project Area identified in the Township’s
Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan completed by Franklin
Township and The Land Conservancy
of New Jersey in 2008.
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce that the
Township of West Milford has preserved 27 acres for open space
and recreation. With assistance provided by The Land
Conservancy, the Township purchased Nosenzo Pond Park, which is
located behind West Milford Township High School, near the
intersection of Lower Starlight Road and Nosenzo Pond Road.
The
2011 World Series of Birding!
Headwater
Property Donated for Preservation
We are
Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary!
Signs
of Spring! New blog entry by Staff
Naturalist Dennis Briede
98-Acre ‘Random
Woods’ Parcel Preserved in West Milford,
Expands Greenway
The Land Conservancy
of New Jersey is pleased to announce the purchase of the former
134-acre Rezamir Estates property in the Township of Mt. Olive
on June 9, 2010 in partnership with the Trust for Public Land,
Morris County, Mt. Olive Township, and the State of New Jersey.
The property will be known as The South Branch Preserve
Restoration Project as it is located within the headwaters of
the South Branch of the Raritan River.
Forty-five
sanofi-aventis employees spent the day working hard to beautify
and improve the grounds at the Wagner Farm Arboretum’s
“Children's Garden”. The volunteers worked tirelessly and
succeeded in placing 220 linear feet of metal edging along the
main brick walkway, and spreading 12 cubic yards of wood chips
along a path which connected the “Children's Garden” to the main
building. In addition, many other significant projects were
completed, including weeding, spreading top soil and mulching.
With
support from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, 52
acres have been added to the Trout Brook Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) in Stillwater Township by the
State of New Jersey. On May 26th the state announced the
preservation of the former Calitre property in the
Township. Immediately adjacent to the WMA, and entirely
forested, the property includes Troy Brook, a Category
One waterway, which bisects the land in a southwesterly
direction. According to the NJDEP Landscape Project, the
property also contains habitat for threatened and
endangered species such as the barred owl, the timber
rattlesnake, and the Jefferson salamander. 
Check
us out in the current issue of New Jersey Countryside
Magazine! On stands now
The
30-acre Woodcock farm in Frelinghuysen Township was
permanently preserved by grants provided by The Land
Conservancy of New Jersey and the Warren County farmland
preservation program. Since 2006 The Land Conservancy of New
Jersey has helped Frelinghuysen Township preserved 195 acres
of open space and farmland in their community. Located at
the scenic corner of Golden Chain Road and Camp Wasigan
Road, the Woodcock Farm is an active farm supporting beef
cattle and chickens with hay grown on its gently rolling
fields. “The Land Conservancy has been working with the
family since 2006,” stated Megan Haidet Land Preservation
Specialist with the Conservancy. “Through their dedication
and the support of the Township and County we are happy to
see this farm permanently protected.” .jpg)
During
the final months of 2009, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey
in partnership with municipalities, counties, the state, and
other organizations assisted in the preservation of nine
properties totaling 332 acres throughout Morris, Sussex,
Essex & Warren counties. Five of these properties were
preserved in the final 10 days of the year! In many
instances innovative partnerships and diverse funding
sources were needed to bring a successful project to
conclusion. Projects were steeped in history, offered new
opportunities for a variety of recreational activities, and
protected our farmland, water resources, forests, and
habitats for threatened and endangered species
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey’s
web.jpg)
-webDennis-Percher,-Lori-Tanner,-David-Epstein,-David-Mandelbaum,-Joe-DiVincenzo,-John-McKeon.jpg)
web.jpg)
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey has become the first New
Jersey
The
Land Conservancy of New Jersey partnered with Boonton
Township, Kinnelon Borough, and Rockaway Township to
complete the purchase of the 184 acre Koehler Pond Property.
This property is adjacent to more than 8000 acres of public
land in the Farny Highlands including Buck Mountain State
Park and Jersey City watershed lands. This is the third
conservation property that The Land Conservancy has
purchased from the Koehler family. The first two properties,
totaling 587 acres, were located in Rockaway Township and
were added to the Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area in
2005.