New Jersey Conservation Foundation

More than 150 people joined us for the 31st Annual Donald & Beverley Jones Memorial Hike on Sunday in Stockton. It was really special to host this event again with Prallsville Mills to celebrate the lives of our friends, Donald and Beverley, and their legacy in conservation. 🌳

Another Jones Hike is in the books, and we couldn't be more grateful to everyone who attended and helped make this year's event a success! 💚

A coalition of organizations and community scientists is working to protect the smallest falcon in North America - the American kestrel. This all hands on deck project has resulted in a 600% increase in kestrel fledglings!
https://www.njconservation.org/american-kestrel-citizen-scientist/

Join us at Rainbow Hill at Sourland Mountain Preserve on Thursday, Nov. 13 to help plant 225 native trees & shrubs that will improve the riparian buffer along a Neshanic River Tributary! 🌳

Planting will take place along the riverbank from 9 a.m. to noon. Register here: tinyurl.com/4xdnh9ey

Commissioners break ground on Gateway Park kayak launch | Camden County, NJ On Friday, the Camden County Board of Commissioners, Upstream Alliance, and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation broke ground on the Gateway Park kayak launch in Camden City.   “These enhancements ....

Last week, we joined project partners in breaking ground on the new kayak launch at Gateway Park in the City of Camden! 🚣

The kayak launch will provide a safe access point to the Cooper River & help connect the Camden community with nature-based recreation opportunities. Learn more 👇

Happy International Day for Biosphere Reserves! The #NewJersey #Pinelands is one of 28 internationally recognized biosphere reserves (or regions) in the United States. 🌎

📷: Paul Leakan, NJPC

#biosphere #nj

Our Manager of Science & Stewardship Dr. Emile DeVito was honored by the New Jersey Highlands Coalition with its "Above & Beyond Award"! 🏆

The Award recognizes someone who has given their time generously and effectively toward helping the Coalition achieve its mission. Congratulations, Emile! 💚

The power of people protecting birds - New Jersey Conservation Foundation By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation The most inspiring conservation efforts often start in the hands of everyday people who care deeply about local wildlife and ...

@njconservation.org thank you for this piece on our work to increase American Kestrel population in NJ! www.njconservation.org/american-kes... #americankestrel #conservation #birdconservation #raptor #kestrel #conservenj #birdsofbluesky #amke

Reminder: General Election Day is Nov. 4 and, as always, the environment is on the ballot! 🌳🗳️

New Jersey voting info: nj.gov/state/electi...

See a bat, take a photo. N.J. wildlife experts seek help tracking bats. Scientists are working to better understand the specific migration routes bats follow between their summer and winter habitats.

Scientists are working to better understand the specific migration routes bats follow between their summer and winter habitats.

From Rails to Trails The story of a 60-year struggle to convert abandoned railroads into trails for cycling and walking.

The new documentary From Rails to Trails explores the nationwide citizen-led movement to convert former railroad corridors into vibrant public greenways.🛤️

The film premiers on NJ PBS Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. & will also be available to stream at pbs.org. Check out the preview:

Cooper River Water Trail | Camden County, NJ The Cooper River Water Trail is a 15.5 mile trail connecting current and future park lands and water access points. It aims to encourage recreation on and around the Back ... More

We couldn't be happier to be part of this team effort that's reconnecting the community to its rivers! 🌊

👉Trail maps and info: camdencounty.com/service/parks/cooper-river-water-trail/
👉More about the Smart Growth Award: tinyurl.com/2sv4bp5k

ICYMI: The 15.5-mile Cooper River Water Trail in Camden was honored with a 2025 Smart Growth Award from New Jersey Future! 🏆

Yesterday, our Camden Area Regional Manager Rudisha Okezie joined project partners in accepting the award at a ceremony in South Orange Village.

While most of the colorful warblers have headed south for the winter, new species of sparrows are just arriving! We'll spend the morning walking through meadows and forest edges as we search for sparrows and learn to distinguish similar species.🪶

Don't miss our next FREE fall bird walk! 🐦‍⬛

🗓️ Wednesday, Oct. 15
🕗 8-10 a.m.
📍 Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, 170 Longview Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931

Register here: www.njconservation.org/events/

📸: White-throated sparrow by Bill Lynch

These lands act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also provide natural defenses against climate impacts like extreme heat and flooding.

Read more about this and our long-term vision for land conservation in New Jersey: njconservation.org/nature-for-all/ 🌱

It's Climate Week! 🌎

Did you know preserved natural and working lands like forests, wetlands, and farmland help make New Jersey more resilient to the impacts of climate change?

📸: Franklin Parker Preserve by Richard Lewis

YouTube video by New Jersey Future Reconnecting Trenton's Riverfront

For more info about the campaign, watch this video!

Check out this free webinar TOMORROW 9/24 at 7PM to learn how the Reconnecting Trenton’s Riverfront campaign is reimagining Route 29, the highway that cuts off the city from the Delaware River, as a walkable boulevard that brings the community back to the water.🌊

RSVP: tinyurl.com/8fwnzab8

Fall foliage reaches its peak at our North Jersey preserves in early to mid October; our Central Jersey preserves in mid to late October; and our South Jersey preserves in late October. 🍁

It's here...🍂

Happy First Day of Fall! This season looks great on all of our preserves. But you don't have to just take our word for it — see for yourself! Find nature near you:
njconservation.org/find-nature/

📸: Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve by Richard Lewis

35 acres of farmland preserved in NJ Highlands - New Jersey Conservation Foundation SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — The Borough of Peapack & Gladstone, in Somerset County, advanced its farmland preservation goals this summer by permanently dedicating the 35-acre Tucker Farm on Willow Avenue to...

Great news! 35 acres of farmland have been preserved in the New Jersey Highlands! 🎉🎉

Located in the Borough of Peapack & Gladstone, the newly preserved Tucker Farm was one of the Borough’s highest priority farms for preservation and serves as grazing land for locally-raised Black Angus cattle.

Don't miss this ✨Conservation Open House✨ on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the New Jersey State Museum! (Includes tours & hands-on activities!)

The event will highlight the Museum's exhibit on ecosystems at risk in our state, as well as conservation projects that are taking place.🌱💧🐾

This 50x50 call to action is outlined in "Nature for All: A 2050 Vision for NJ," a report commissioned by New Jersey Conservation Foundation that sets forth a fresh vision for land conservation over the next few decades.

📑 Check out the report: njconservation.org/nature-for-all/

They were joined by Thomas Dallessio, former executive director of Musconetcong Watershed Association, for part one of a three-part series that focuses on the call for NJ to preserve 50% of the most critical remaining lands that are ranked highly for ecological, water & agricultural values by 2050.

ICYMI: Two former members of our leadership team, Michele Byers and Greg Romano, were featured on the latest edition of WRNJ Radio's Local Impact program speaking about open space preservation! 🙌

🌳 Listen to the interview (#34): tinyurl.com/m87tmzax'

📸: Franklin Parker Preserve by Richard Lewis

These mini marvels rely on NJ's habitats for nesting, as well as a crucial stopover on their migration journeys each year. You can help create a habitat for hummingbirds in your own backyard by planting native, nectar-rich flowers.🌸

Happy National Hummingbird Day!✨

📸: Ruby-throated hummingbird by Penelope Ayers

Leaving EPA Behind, Environmental Justice Pioneer Preaches Hope Amid Trump Cutbacks - Inside Climate News In 26 years at the agency, Charles Lee worked to keep the focus on communities. Now, he believes communities will keep the movement alive, despite the federal government’s retreat.

In 26 years at the agency, Charles Lee worked to keep the focus on communities. Now, he believes communities will keep the movement alive, despite the federal government’s retreat.

Thanks for contributing your incredible art to the fundraiser, @radareyda.bsky.social — we love this! 💚