Wildcats, Wetlands, & Wawayanda

Here at The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, we are intently planning what comes next after winning the National Land Trust Excellence Award last September. Even during a season of celebration we continued the steady, everyday work that builds to big wins like the 1,200-acre limestone forest greenway we completed after 20 years of negotiations. Like returning Split Rock Mountain to the Ramapo Lenape people and making it safe and accessible for them.

We know too well that this is a team effort. Our members help us every step of the way, and we don’t take it for granted. Your support has a real impact on the sustainability of New Jersey’s precious land and water—every waterway restored, every endangered species revived.

If you're reading this, you are someone who understands what’s at stake. Will you invest in New Jersey’s beauty and resilience by donating during our End of Fiscal Year Campaign? We have chosen several projects where resources are needed most before our fiscal year ends on June 30. Your donation today will help ensure these projects come to fruition next year and beyond. Read on to discover how these projects fit into the comprehensive conservation efforts happening in our state.

Buffering Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve

The Land Conservancy acquired the first parcel of Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve in 2017 to preserve and revive the headwaters of the West Brook, one of the largest sources of fresh water feeding the Wanaque Reservoir. Now 241 acres, we have already completed

two major restoration projects to re-flood the wetlands and create a beautiful hiking trail. Now we have the opportunity to purchase two lots that, if developed, would place large homes right next to the trail. We are working to preserve these 12 acres of mature forest full of native plants and small ephemeral pond that is home to a wide variety of amphibians in the spring. We need to raise $80,000 to complete this $220,000 project.

Wilding Wawayanda State Park

The Land Conservancy helped West Milford map the many lots that the township owns but has not designated as open space. We found four lots totaling 68 acres that are adjacent to Waywayanda State Park and need to be permanently preserved. All four properties are in the Highlands Preservation area and heavily forested. One sits high on a cliff with magnificent views overlooking Greenwood Lake. The township has indicated an interest in selling all four properties, but we need to raise $70,000 to complete this $300,000 project.

Connecting Wildcat Ridge to the West Morris Greenway

This 119-acre property with mature forest and a small pond is the missing link that would connect the Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area to the Morris County Park Commission’s West Morris Greenway–a planned 25-mile rail trail that would connect Rockaway Township in the north to Washington Township in the south. We need to raise $95,000 in private funds to complete this $1.5 million project.

Thank you so much for caring about New Jersey’s precious natural resources. Your support makes it possible to get the job done; please make your gift today. We are deeply grateful for your contributions to keeping our great state healthy and beautiful!