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.

South Branch Preserve Gets 18 More Acres, Mount Olive

Now, here is something to be thankful for!

This originally appeared in The Daily Record

MOUNT OLIVE — The Land Conservancy of New Jersey closed on two properties totaling 18 acres to be added to the South Branch Preserve.

“The Preserve is an important water management resource in Morris County, providing drinking water for 1.5 million New Jersey residents,” said Glenn Schweizer, executive director of the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority.

These are the first two of four projects the Morris County Utilities Authority and New Jersey Water Supply Authority are working on in conjunction with the Land Conservancy, according to a prepared statement from the Conservancy.

These are the fifth and sixth properties to be added to the Preserve since its establishment in 2010, according to the statement, which said that the long-term vision is to increase the South Branch Preserve to 1,000 acres to serve as a showcase for watershed

“We hope this project will inspire our state, county and local agencies to continue to fund these important preservation initiatives to ensure our water resources remain secure and plentiful,” said David Epstein, president of the Land Conservancy.

The South Branch Preserve contains rich forests, agricultural fields, and wetlands. It flows into the main stem of the Raritan River, the largest river basin located entirely within the state of New Jersey and one of its most critical water supply sources, the statement said.

The Land Conservancy and its partners have added five properties to the Preserve, which now totals 390 acres and includes three-quarters of a mile of the river flowing through the Preserve, the statement said.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is a member supported nonprofit land trust whose mission is to preserve land and water resources, conserve open space, and inspire and empower individuals and communities to protect our natural land and environment. They have worked with 89 municipalities in 13 counties to preserve a total of 19,500 acres in 330 projects, helping towns secure $224 million in county, state, and federal grants.

122 Acres Preserved in Frelinghuysen Twp., Warren County

(Originally posted in the Warren Reporter)

The Township of Frelinghuysen and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey are pleased to announce the recent preservation of the 122 acre Linz Farm in Frelinghuysen.

“The Township of Frelinghuysen is please to add another valuable piece of farmland to its preservation effort,” stated Charlie Schaffer, Chairman of the Frelinghuysen Township Farmland Preservation Committee.

Prior to the preservation of the Linz Farm there were 1,659 acres of permanently preserved farmland in Frelinghuysen Township and with the addition of the Linz Farm, there are now 1,780 acres, ensuring a permanent agricultural legacy in the Township.

“Frelinghuysen Township deserves credit for spearheading this project,” explained Corey Tierney, Director of the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. “Mayor Charles and the Township Committee, Chairman Schaffer and the Farmland Preservation Committee, and Gail McDonald from The Land Conservancy of New Jersey all deserve special thanks for their hard work and commitment to preserving farmland. This is an investment in the future. Farmland preservation helps keep agriculture viable for generations to come and ensures that we’ll always have access to locally grown produce and products. We’re happy to see Frelinghuysen Township taking advantage of this great program. By teaming up on this project, the county and municipality each paid less than 15% towards the total purchase price. Working together, we were able to leverage our combined investment in farmland preservation and secure state funding for the 70% balance. We are immensely grateful to the State Agriculture Development Committee for its substantial contributions to this and other preserved farms throughout Warren County.”

“The Land Conservancy of New Jersey appreciates the landowner’s commitment to preservation and the Township and County’s proactive approach to farmland preservation,” stated Gail McDonald, Land Preservation Specialist with The Land Conservancy. “Each partner plays a significant role in the preservation of each farm, and The Land Conservancy is pleased to have been able to assist in preserving this beautiful farm in perpetuity.”
The Linz Farm has been a family farm for three generations. This farm consists mostly of gently rolling open farmland with moderately sloped woodland areas in the easterly portion of the tract and small areas of steep slopes. There is a small stream that flows through the center of the property. The land is currently farmed for hay. In the past, the farm was one of the best working dairies in the area. Corn and other grain crops have also been grown on the farm.

“Since some of that region is already protected, this will provide a wider buffer of protection, while still maintaining viable farmland,” said Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, who is liaison to the Warren County Agriculture Development Board. “As properties become available, the county is pleased to participate in protecting them,” Gardner said. “The open space we have, we owe much to the diligence of the state working hand-in-hand with the county and municipalities,” he said.

Founded in 1981, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is a member supported non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting our vital natural lands and water resources. We are working to inspire and empower individuals and communities to take action to preserve land and protect the environment in New Jersey. The Conservancy has preserved more than 20,000 acres of land and helped towns secure $220 million in county, state, and federal grants for their land conservation projects. We have worked in 89 municipalities in 13 counties benefiting millions of people who live, work, or visit our state. Accredited by the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2009, The Conservancy joins 181 organizations nationwide recognized for meeting the highest quality standards for protecting open space, upholding the public trust, and ensuring that our conservation efforts are permanent.

For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, call (973) 541-1010, or visit our website at tlc-nj.org.

Salem County Town Adding 17 Acres to Park

Be vewy qwiet, I'm hunting open space.

Sorry.

This article originally appeared in South Jersey Times.

Officials will look to expand Elmer Community Park with new open space purchase

ELMER — Though Salem County currently leads the state in total acres of preserved farmland under the New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program, local and county officials this week announced the first major “open space” acquisition in the county.

Salem County freeholders, in cooperation with officials in Elmer and Upper Pittsgrove, have reached an agreement to set aside 17 acres of land in Elmer as open space, with the goal of eventually expanding Elmer Community Park.

According to Upper Pittsgrove Mayor Jack Cimprich, his township had been looking to preserve a 117 acre piece of property known as the “Anthony Estate Farm.”

Most of the farm — roughly 100 acres — falls in Upper Pittsgrove, but 17 acres of the land is located in eastern Elmer, along Harding Highway adjacent to the borough’s baseball fields.

“We were looking at preserving the entire property as farmland,” said Cimprich. “But when (Deputy Freeholder Director) Ben Laury took me out there to walk the property, he pointed out that the Elmer parcel could be preserved as open space and used to expand Elmer Community Park — providing much-needed space for all our residents.”

As a result, the decision was made to move forward with sectioning off the 17-acres to set aside the parcel as open space, marking the first major open space project for Salem County, officials said.

Since 2002, two-cents of every tax dollar paid by Salem County taxpayers has been directed into a fund for open space and farmland preservation. Until this point, however, those funds have been used exclusively toward funding farmland preservation.

The 17-acre parcel will cost $160,000 to purchase. Fifty-percent of the cost, or $80,000, will be provided through a state grant under the New Jersey Green Acres program. An additional $40,000 will be provided through the county’s dedicated fund, and the remaining $40,000 will be funded by Elmer.

According to Elmer Councilman Steve Schalick, the borough became interested in the property nearly five years ago when it was put up for sale.

“We looked at it then, and thought it would be a good place to expand the park,” said Schalick.

Freeholder Lee Ware — liaison to county Agricultural Development Board, which oversees farmland preservation and open space programs — said obtaining the property marked a win for everyone involved.

“This is a good thing for Elmer and a good thing for the county,” said Ware. “It’s a win all around, and it fits in perfectly with everyone’s master plans.”

Laury added that an expanded park in Elmer will benefit all Salem County residents.

“This park expansion gives residents throughout the area access to a large open space for athletic fields to promote healthy activities," he said. "We are proud to work with all the interested parties in finding a way to give our neighbors a gift we can all share.”

The remaining 100-acres of the Anthony Estate are still slated to enter into farmland preservation, though that part of the process is still in the works, officials said.

36 Acres Preserved in Harmony Township, Warren County

With a name like "Harmony," you know it has to be good. 
This post originally appeared on Warren Reporter.

Recently preserved land in Warren County connects local hiking trails

J. Scott Morrison was a man who appreciated the outdoors, having owned a farm in Hunterdon County after growing up in the rolling hills of Virginia.

After Morrison’s death earlier this year at the age of 76, there was never a question in his three children’s minds that a wooded 36-acre parcel he owned in Harmony Township should be preserved.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation purchased the Morrison property on Oct. 12, expanding a green belt of preserved land and allowing for local hiking trail connections.

“I think my father would be proud of the choice we made,” said daughter Cindy Morrison of Sarasota, Fla. “He always appreciated beautiful land. I’m glad it’s going to be preserved.”

Using grants from Warren County and the state Green Acres program, New Jersey Conservation Foundation purchased the property on Scotts Mountain, between Harmony Brass Castle and Fiddler’s Elbow roads, for $177,500.

The Morrison family sold the property at a “bargain sale” price, or below market value. “It’s what we all wanted to do,” said Cindy Morrison. “It’s a good thing to do.”

The property, which has an existing unpaved lane, is now open to the general public for passive recreational activities like hiking and bird watching.

The property will be linked with a hiking trail on an adjacent New Jersey Conservation Foundation property connecting to the Merrill Creek Reservoir trail system. Nearby are nearly 500 acres of preserved state lands, known as the Warren County Trail State Park.

“The Green Acres Program is happy to have assisted the New Jersey Conservation Foundation in completing this important acquisition,” said Martha Sapp, acting administrator of the Green Acres program. “We continue to work with our partners to protect the streams and natural areas near Scott’s Mountain, the Merrill Creek Reservoir, and throughout the Highlands.”

“Partnering with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation has been very beneficial to the public in term of our recreational directives in the county,” said Warren County Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, liaison to the county’s Municipal and Charitable Conservancies Trust Fund Committee.

“By partnering with New Jersey Conservation Foundation on this project, the County was able to leverage its investment in open space and contribute only a fraction towards the cost of permanently preserving this property,” added Corey J. Tierney, administrator of the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. “Not only do they deserve special thanks for all of their hard work on this project, but for their continuing commitment to preserving natural lands throughout Warren County.”

Preservation of the property protects local water quality and flood control efforts. The pristine Lopatcong Creek flows through it, ultimately making its way into the Delaware River. A small pond on the upper reaches of the Lopatcong Creek helps trap sediment from the top of the mountain.

The land contains a healthy forest with a diverse array of plant and animal species and is known as home to many endangered species, including barred owl, bobcat and red-shouldered hawk.

For more information about New Jersey Conservation Foundation and its programs and preserves, visit njconservation.org or call 1-888-LANDSAVE (1-888-526-3728).

West Orange Letting Nature Take Over on 10,000 Sq. Ft. Parcel

Here's one more we somehow missed last summer. At 10,000 square feet, this plot is less than 1/4 an acre, but we appreciate that West Orange plans to just let nature take its course there.

This article was originally posted on West Orange Patch.

West Orange Adds to Its Open Space

The amount of open space in West Orange continues to grow. 

The property at 7 Belgrade Terrace was acquired by the township at the beginning of July. The 10,000 square-foot lot was purchased for approximately $60,000 using money from the Open Space Trust Fund and the township. 

The township should receive a reimbursement of at least half of the purchase price from New Jersey Green Acres Planning Incentive Grant. 

Municipal Engineer Leonard Lepore said that said the township was in communication with the neighbors on Belgrade Terrace and they supported the purchase. 

By purchasing the property, Lepore said it prevents anyone from removing trees, which could negatively affect water runoff in the surrounding area. 

“West Orange has long supported open space preservation for our growing conservation and recreation needs,” wrote Mayor Robert Parisi in a press release. “A permanent deed restriction on land helps preserve historic, scenic and recreational areas of our Township.”

The township owns two other lots on the street at 15 and 19 Belgrade Terrace, and both are also about 10,000 square feet. These other two properties were acquired in a swap with the property owner in an effort to prevent development on the properties, said Lepore.  

“In this one we will just let nature keep taking over,” said Lepore, “because that’s what it is now.” 

Former Auction Site in Swedesboro Preserved

Somehow we missed this back in July. Alas. It's a small purchase, but as we once saw on press material for one town's preservation organization, "Every Acre Counts."

This originally was posted on the Gloucester County Times

Gloucester County, Swedesboro to preserve former auction site on Leahy Avenue

The former Swedesboro Auction property is located on Leahy Avenue.

SWEDESBORO — Swedesboro officials have big plans for the Swedesboro Auction property, a three-acre tract of land on Leahy Avenue that wasincorporated into the county’s open space plan this week.

“We are only three-quarters of a square mile, but we are rich in history,” said Diane Hale, a Swedesboro councilwoman.

Until the mid 1990s, area farmers would bring their produce to the Swedesboro market to be sold. Campbell’s Soup Co. was known to make its tomato soup with tomatoes grown at borough farms.

To preserve the history, the county chipped in about $255,000 to the borough’s $85,000 to purchase the land from Swedesboro Auction, Inc. The Gloucester County Freeholders voted to authorize the payment and will incorporate the land into the Open Space Preservation Program.

When the property settlement is complete, the borough will own it, leaving Hale and the Economic Development Commission to enact plans for the plot.

“We’re going to make it into a park and do some history so people can see it,” said Helen Fromm, member of the town’s economic development commission.

While the plans are only rough sketches of what the group envisions, Fromm said the site could include historical information about Swedesboro and Woolwich’s agricultural heritage. Plus, the site — which includes several buildings where farmers would showcase and bid on produce — could be transformed into a music venue or temporary ice skating rink in the winter.

Marco Lentini, a member of the borough economic development commission, said the reinvigoration of Swedesboro shouldn’t stop at its downtown area.

“You have a revitalization of downtown,” he said. “But you can’t neglect other parts of Swedesboro.”