BOONTON – The creation of New Jersey’s first native land trust in Mahwah has catapulted the Land Conservancy of New Jersey to the 2024 National Land Trust Excellence Award.
The Land Trust Alliance award was presented in September at the National Land Conservation Conference in Providence, Rhode Island.
“The Land Conservancy of New Jersey has been a leader, conserving nearly 30,000 acres of farmland, trails and wildlife corridors while connecting and educating people about the natural landscapes and diverse communities that surround them,” said Jennifer Miller Herzog, interim president and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance.
“We are honored that our commitment to preserving and restoring endangered forests, ranches and tribal lands has been recognized with the 2024 National Land Trust Excellence Award,” said David Epstein, president of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey.
The Boonton-based Conservancy completed its 500th land acquisition project in 2023, including the $500,000 purchase and clearance of the Ramapough Indians’ 54-acre sacred Split Rock Mountain, or Tahetaweew, which straddles Hillburn and Ramapo, New York, on the Mahwah border in Bergen District. The Rockland County Sewer District property was purchased and donated to the Ramapo Munsee Land Alliance in March 2023.
Chief Dwaine Perry of the Ramapo Munsee Nation could not be reached for comment.
The Conservancy helps New Jersey municipalities protect natural resources and funds the construction of parks and the preservation of farmland. Over the past five years, Conservancy efforts in North Jersey have included:
Bergen Province
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Mahwa: Completed purchase of Split Rock Mountain for Ramapo Munseee Land Alliance;
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Oakland: Helped the municipality acquire twelve flood-prone properties in four years for use as natural flood storage, parks and open space;
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Province of Bergen: Helped preserve the last 12 remaining farms for the county’s recreation and open space inventory.
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Ramapo Mountain Reserve: 104 hectares preserved next to the Bergen County Ramapo Mountain Reserve.
PRESERVATION OF WEST BROOK Conservationists are purchasing 170 acres along West Brook in West Milford for hiking and conservation
Passaic Province
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Paterson/Passaic: Outdoor education program with Boys & Girls Clubs;
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West Milford: The 241-acre Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve opened, including a stream restoration project.
Morris County
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Mount Olive Township: Restoration of South Branch Preserve, now 405 acres, including a community garden, City Green farms, pollinator meadows, bird blinds and a picnic area.
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Boonton: Wild Acres Fred and Myrtle Hierwarter’s 40-acre conservation estate now serves as the conservation headquarters.
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Hanover: Purchase of 74 hectares, planned to become part of the extension of Route 24, which will now become a hiking trail.
MURLAN FARM ‘Beautiful’ Murlan farm in Frelinghuysen, all 224 hectares, permanently preserved
Essex County
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Newark: Pequannock Watershed Preserve, 371 acres surrounded by the Newark-Pequannock Watershed;
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West Essex: Hatfield Swamp Preserve, 176 acres 6 miles northeast of Newark.
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Livingston: Strahman Hill Park and the Licari Evergreen Horse Farm, totaling 18 hectares, were purchased to become municipal parks;
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Verona: Assisted municipality in acquiring the largest remaining private property totaling 22 hectares.
Sussex County
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Newton: Provincial Agricultural Land Conservation Plan.
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Vernon: Acquired and transferred 129 acres of forest adjacent to Wawayanda State Park to the National Park Service to be managed as part of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Land Sonservancy of NJ Wins Award for Establishing Native Land Trust
