This is an official D&R Greenway Land Trust press release:
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Showing posts with label east amwell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label east amwell. Show all posts
Friday, January 18, 2013
Two More Year-End Purchases in East Amwell
Once again, East Amwell in Hunterdon County makes news for land preservation. I would love to live there, but I doubt I ever could afford it!
This is an official D&R Greenway Land Trust press release:
This is an official D&R Greenway Land Trust press release:
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Additional Sourland Mountain Land Purchased
Always wonderful to hear of new preservation in the Sourland Mountain region.
This originally appeared in the Hunterdon County Democrat.
EAST AMWELL TWP. — The township is buying open space in two areas for
conservation and to expand trail networks. Both sets of properties are
wooded.
The Township Committee unanimously approved the acquisitions this month of two lots on South Hill Road, the Polhemus properties, and two at the intersection of Rocktown and Mountain Roads, the Wiedemer properties.
Each set of properties adds about 10 acres to existing public lands for passive recreation.
The Polhemus properties cost $49,200 and the cost is being split with D&R Greenway Land Trust. Professional fees are an additional $2,000, the township reported.
These lots will become part of the Cat Tail Brook Preserve in the Sourland Mountains.
Glorianne Robbi, township Farmland and Open Space Preservation Committee chairwoman, said that D&R Greenway has been preserving land for the Cat Tail Brook Preserve for many years and the Polhemus properties were particularly attractive.
“They are completely wooded,” she said. “And they haven’t been logged in a long time.”
Therefore they provide uninterrupted forest canopy for birds. The Polhemus properties are land-locked, near Lindbergh Road.
The Wiedemer properties are across Rocktown Road from the Omick Preserve, which started with 63 acres and was previously expanded this year with the purchase of the 23-acre Lang property.
The original Omick tract fronted on Route 31, said Robbi, and the township wanted safer access. Visitors now may park on Rocktown Road to enter the preserve, but Robbi said the township has applied for a state grant to build a small parking area, and should receive word in the spring.
She said that acquiring the Wiedemer property will allow expansion of the Omick Preserve’s trails, which have been cut by township and D&R Greenway volunteers. The Wiedemer property is costing $180,000, plus $5,000 in professional costs. Half of that will be covered by state Green Acres grant money, said Robbi.
The township’s share of both properties will be paid from the open space trust fund.
Township property owners pay a dedicated open space tax of 4 cents per $100 of assessed value.
This originally appeared in the Hunterdon County Democrat.
The Township Committee unanimously approved the acquisitions this month of two lots on South Hill Road, the Polhemus properties, and two at the intersection of Rocktown and Mountain Roads, the Wiedemer properties.
Each set of properties adds about 10 acres to existing public lands for passive recreation.
The Polhemus properties cost $49,200 and the cost is being split with D&R Greenway Land Trust. Professional fees are an additional $2,000, the township reported.
These lots will become part of the Cat Tail Brook Preserve in the Sourland Mountains.
Glorianne Robbi, township Farmland and Open Space Preservation Committee chairwoman, said that D&R Greenway has been preserving land for the Cat Tail Brook Preserve for many years and the Polhemus properties were particularly attractive.
“They are completely wooded,” she said. “And they haven’t been logged in a long time.”
Therefore they provide uninterrupted forest canopy for birds. The Polhemus properties are land-locked, near Lindbergh Road.
The Wiedemer properties are across Rocktown Road from the Omick Preserve, which started with 63 acres and was previously expanded this year with the purchase of the 23-acre Lang property.
The original Omick tract fronted on Route 31, said Robbi, and the township wanted safer access. Visitors now may park on Rocktown Road to enter the preserve, but Robbi said the township has applied for a state grant to build a small parking area, and should receive word in the spring.
She said that acquiring the Wiedemer property will allow expansion of the Omick Preserve’s trails, which have been cut by township and D&R Greenway volunteers. The Wiedemer property is costing $180,000, plus $5,000 in professional costs. Half of that will be covered by state Green Acres grant money, said Robbi.
The township’s share of both properties will be paid from the open space trust fund.
Township property owners pay a dedicated open space tax of 4 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
61 Acres Preserved in East Amwell, Hunterdon County
Man, East Amwell always turns up on this blog. Longterm plan: move to East Amwell.
This article originally appeared on the Hunterdon County Democrat:
East Amwell Township is a rural haven tucked away in the southeast
corner of the county. The township has worked for many years to make
East Amwell a place where farming comes first. That commitment has paid
off, and the township is home to many preserved farms, including a
61-acre farm on Wertsville Road recently preserved by the township with
the help of the Hunterdon Land Trust.
“We have wanted to preserve this farm for many years,” said Dick Ginman, a member of the township’s farmland and open space committee. “We are indebted to Kate Buttolph (Hunterdon Land Trust’s director of acquisition and stewardship) for working with the owner to make this preservation happen.”
The recently preserved property adjoins other preserved farms and is in an area of interest for both East Amwell Township and the Hunterdon Land Trust. East Amwell Township’s farmland preservation plan recognizes that “agriculture is important in East Amwell’s history and its future, providing a rural lifestyle valued by farmers and non-farmers alike, while also contributing breathtaking scenic views, promoting the local economy and utilizing a valuable natural resource.” The farm on Wertsville Road is a perfect example of the type of place that the township’s plan is geared to protect. It is surrounded by other large farms and across the street from East Amwell Elementary school that together create a beautiful and peaceful rural vista. It is one of four properties totaling 243 acres preserved in East Amwell over the past year.
“It is a pleasure to partner with townships like East Amwell that value the many benefits of preserving their farming legacy,” said Patricia Ruby, executive director of the Hunterdon Land Trust. “In addition to ensuring we’ll always have access to local, healthy food, preserving farmland is a sound investment in many ways including future farmers, flood control, and wildlife habitat.”
In a recently completed comprehensive land preservation plan, the Hunterdon Land Trust also identified the area of the newly preserved farm as one of particular interest due to its agricultural soils and its proximity to the headwaters of the Neshanic River. The Neshanic is a major tributary to the South Branch of the Raritan and vital to the water quality within the Raritan basin. “I am so pleased that East Amwell and the Hunterdon Land Trust were able to partner to protect this property,” said Kate Buttolph of the Hunterdon Land Trust. “This farm fit perfectly with both of our goals and will help ensure that a rural way of life in Hunterdon County will endure for future generations to enjoy.”
In addition to the Hunterdon Land Trust and East Amwell Township, The New Jersey Office of Natural Lands Management has recognized the importance of preserving land in East Amwell. Much of the township is part of a designated Natural Heritage Priority Site due to its significance for grassland wildlife, particularly ground nesting birds including the state-threatened Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows and species of state-special concern Eastern Meadowlarks.
Funding for preserving the 61-acre property, which is currently a horse farm, was obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Farm and Ranchland Program, in the amount of $158,119 and East Amwell Township in the amount of $141,881.
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1996, the Hunterdon Land Trust is committed to protecting the rural landscapes and natural resources of Hunterdon County. The land trust works with landowners interested in preserving their land through donation or sale of land or development rights. To learn more about land preservation in Hunterdon County please visit hunterdonlandtrust.org.
This article originally appeared on the Hunterdon County Democrat:
“We have wanted to preserve this farm for many years,” said Dick Ginman, a member of the township’s farmland and open space committee. “We are indebted to Kate Buttolph (Hunterdon Land Trust’s director of acquisition and stewardship) for working with the owner to make this preservation happen.”
The recently preserved property adjoins other preserved farms and is in an area of interest for both East Amwell Township and the Hunterdon Land Trust. East Amwell Township’s farmland preservation plan recognizes that “agriculture is important in East Amwell’s history and its future, providing a rural lifestyle valued by farmers and non-farmers alike, while also contributing breathtaking scenic views, promoting the local economy and utilizing a valuable natural resource.” The farm on Wertsville Road is a perfect example of the type of place that the township’s plan is geared to protect. It is surrounded by other large farms and across the street from East Amwell Elementary school that together create a beautiful and peaceful rural vista. It is one of four properties totaling 243 acres preserved in East Amwell over the past year.
“It is a pleasure to partner with townships like East Amwell that value the many benefits of preserving their farming legacy,” said Patricia Ruby, executive director of the Hunterdon Land Trust. “In addition to ensuring we’ll always have access to local, healthy food, preserving farmland is a sound investment in many ways including future farmers, flood control, and wildlife habitat.”
In a recently completed comprehensive land preservation plan, the Hunterdon Land Trust also identified the area of the newly preserved farm as one of particular interest due to its agricultural soils and its proximity to the headwaters of the Neshanic River. The Neshanic is a major tributary to the South Branch of the Raritan and vital to the water quality within the Raritan basin. “I am so pleased that East Amwell and the Hunterdon Land Trust were able to partner to protect this property,” said Kate Buttolph of the Hunterdon Land Trust. “This farm fit perfectly with both of our goals and will help ensure that a rural way of life in Hunterdon County will endure for future generations to enjoy.”
In addition to the Hunterdon Land Trust and East Amwell Township, The New Jersey Office of Natural Lands Management has recognized the importance of preserving land in East Amwell. Much of the township is part of a designated Natural Heritage Priority Site due to its significance for grassland wildlife, particularly ground nesting birds including the state-threatened Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows and species of state-special concern Eastern Meadowlarks.
Funding for preserving the 61-acre property, which is currently a horse farm, was obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Farm and Ranchland Program, in the amount of $158,119 and East Amwell Township in the amount of $141,881.
Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1996, the Hunterdon Land Trust is committed to protecting the rural landscapes and natural resources of Hunterdon County. The land trust works with landowners interested in preserving their land through donation or sale of land or development rights. To learn more about land preservation in Hunterdon County please visit hunterdonlandtrust.org.
Monday, June 18, 2012
22 Acres of Forest Preserved in Hunterdon County
A beautiful part of New Jersey stays beautiful, with the help of preservation efforts like this:
From the D&R Greenway Land Trust:
From the D&R Greenway Land Trust:
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Sunday, November 13, 2011
89 Acres Preserved in East Amwell, Hunterdon County
From the Hunterdon County Democrat.
Love seeing stories from East Amwell, which has often been covered for its expansive open space preservation efforts.
EAST AMWELL TWP. — Overlooking the vast expanse of grasslands that
slopes toward the forested Sourland Ridge, more than a dozen advocates
of open space held a celebration Nov. 2 to applaud the acquisition of
the 89-acre parcel on Cider Mill Road.
In a cooperative partnership, the Delaware & Raritan Greenway Land Trust cobbled together money for the $2,056,110 acquisition from state funds and nonprofit groups: $400,000 from state land acquisition funds, $400,000 from East Amwell’s Green Acres grant, $200,000 from the Natural Resource Damages Fund to match half of the township’s contribution, $407,882 from the county’s nonprofit grant program, $411,222 from Conservation Resources Inc., and $237,006 from a Green Acres nonprofit grant.
Since some of the money pledged was unavailable for the December 2010 closing, a low-interest loan from the Open Space Institute enabled the land trust to meet the purchase price by the deadline. Earlier this year, the other partners helped pay back the loan.
The township shares ownership of the property with the land trust and the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. Mayor Larry Tatsch said it is the first grasslands habitat that the township has been able to preserve for public use.
Sean Grace, an East Amwell resident and sanctuary director of the New Jersey Audubon Society, said grasslands are one of the least preserved habitats in North America, noting that less than 1 percent of the original grasslands remains.
“They’re critically endangered habitats and all animals that are then associated with it,” he said.
Among the birds that will frequent the Cider Mill preserve are American kestrels, bobolinks, Eastern meadowlarks, Northern harriers, short-eared owls, grasshopper sparrows and indigo buntings, many of which are listed as endangered, threatened or as a species of special concern.
As a result of changes in farming practices, providing and managing a place for grassland birds is an uphill battle in New Jersey, said Tony Petrongolo, Bureau of Land Management chief for the state Division of Fish and Wildlife.
“Where most of the landscape used to provide a habitat before, today every 90 acres like this is a struggle,” he said.
Michael Catania, president of Conservation Resources Inc., called the preservation of the property a substantial victory.
“One hundred years from now, people are going to look back and say, ‘Thank God, somebody had the foresight to preserve this because this doesn’t look like other parts of our state,’” he said.
In addition to protecting a critical habitat, Linda Mead, president and CEO of the land trust, said the public can walk along the property, taking in the scenic views, stars and grassland birds.
“It’s a perfect example of what the statewide Green Acres program sets out to do,” she said.
Diana Raichel, a conservation biologist for the land trust, will help manage the property. Key to effort is the need to delay mowing until after the birds have nested and fledged, and to keep woody vegetation at bay, she said.
“Anything that breaks up a field is less suitable for these area-sensitive birds,” she said, adding that grassland birds require large open spaces. “You want to maintain this ecological state to keep it from succeeding into a forest.”
Love seeing stories from East Amwell, which has often been covered for its expansive open space preservation efforts.
In a cooperative partnership, the Delaware & Raritan Greenway Land Trust cobbled together money for the $2,056,110 acquisition from state funds and nonprofit groups: $400,000 from state land acquisition funds, $400,000 from East Amwell’s Green Acres grant, $200,000 from the Natural Resource Damages Fund to match half of the township’s contribution, $407,882 from the county’s nonprofit grant program, $411,222 from Conservation Resources Inc., and $237,006 from a Green Acres nonprofit grant.
Since some of the money pledged was unavailable for the December 2010 closing, a low-interest loan from the Open Space Institute enabled the land trust to meet the purchase price by the deadline. Earlier this year, the other partners helped pay back the loan.
The township shares ownership of the property with the land trust and the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. Mayor Larry Tatsch said it is the first grasslands habitat that the township has been able to preserve for public use.
Sean Grace, an East Amwell resident and sanctuary director of the New Jersey Audubon Society, said grasslands are one of the least preserved habitats in North America, noting that less than 1 percent of the original grasslands remains.
“They’re critically endangered habitats and all animals that are then associated with it,” he said.
Among the birds that will frequent the Cider Mill preserve are American kestrels, bobolinks, Eastern meadowlarks, Northern harriers, short-eared owls, grasshopper sparrows and indigo buntings, many of which are listed as endangered, threatened or as a species of special concern.
As a result of changes in farming practices, providing and managing a place for grassland birds is an uphill battle in New Jersey, said Tony Petrongolo, Bureau of Land Management chief for the state Division of Fish and Wildlife.
“Where most of the landscape used to provide a habitat before, today every 90 acres like this is a struggle,” he said.
Michael Catania, president of Conservation Resources Inc., called the preservation of the property a substantial victory.
“One hundred years from now, people are going to look back and say, ‘Thank God, somebody had the foresight to preserve this because this doesn’t look like other parts of our state,’” he said.
In addition to protecting a critical habitat, Linda Mead, president and CEO of the land trust, said the public can walk along the property, taking in the scenic views, stars and grassland birds.
“It’s a perfect example of what the statewide Green Acres program sets out to do,” she said.
Diana Raichel, a conservation biologist for the land trust, will help manage the property. Key to effort is the need to delay mowing until after the birds have nested and fledged, and to keep woody vegetation at bay, she said.
“Anything that breaks up a field is less suitable for these area-sensitive birds,” she said, adding that grassland birds require large open spaces. “You want to maintain this ecological state to keep it from succeeding into a forest.”
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