Contact:       Val Thorpe
Director, Communications & Membership, GSWA
(973) 538-3500 x13
vthorpe@greatswamp.org

GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED ASSOCIATION PRESERVES ADDITIONAL 20 ACRES OF LAND IN HARDING TOWNSHIP

INCREASES THE ORGANIZATION’S CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT AREA TO 73 CONTIGUOUS ACRES, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR PASSIVE RECREATION

HARDING TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY —The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) announced last week that they have preserved an additional 20 acres of land on Tiger Lily Lane in Harding, New Jersey. This plot of land is adjacent to their 53-acre Conservation Management Area (CMA), which brings the total number of preserved acres on this site to 73. At a ceremony attended by board and staff members, representatives of various environmental organizations, and GSWA supporters, GSWA Board Chairman, Matt Krauser, officially cut the ribbon at the entrance of the property.

GSWA acquired the property through a generous donation on November 9, 2017. This is the organization’s first land acquisition since being named as one of only eight accredited land trusts in New Jersey in September of this year. Sally Rubin, GSWA Executive Director, and Hazel England, GSWA Director of Education and Outreach and Land Steward, were instrumental in achieving this significant accomplishment.

“We have dreamed of owning this critical piece of property for many years!” stated Ms. Rubin. “This is the first of what we believe will be many of these ribbon-cutting ceremonies, celebrating additional land acquisitions as we preserve more open space as part of our expanded mission.”

The CMA is fully protected and stewarded by GSWA. It contains critical wetlands, vernal pools, and forested areas. Traversed by a network of trails that are open to the public, and containing over 40 interpretive signs, the CMA is also utilized by GSWA as an environmental teaching tool. GSWA plans to expand and enhance the trail system with the addition of this 20-acre tract, and utilize the property to improve flood control and protect native habitat.

The property adjoins approximately 25 acres of land that has been preserved by the Harding Land Trust. Together, this provides a combined 100+ acres available to the public for passive recreation like hiking, birding, exploration, and more.

The ribbon-cutting event concluded with a brief hike on the newly acquired land, led by Hazel England. Ms. England outlined some of GSWA’s plans, which includes the removal of invasive species and building additional trails.

“Ten days after taking official ownership of the property, our enthusiastic volunteers joined us to help ready the CMA trails for the winter, and even build a connector trail to link our existing trail system,” said Ms. England.  “Visitors can now park at the cul-de-sac, and crisscross the entire 73-acre management area without ever leaving the property, which is very exciting!”

This acquisition of land continues to grow the momentum that GSWA has been building in the last year through a series of accomplishments including: receiving national recognition as an Accredited Land Trust; becoming the Passaic River Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate; and hosting a highly successful gala, which is the financial backbone in sustaining the organization. Additionally, Sally Rubin received the 2017 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Champion Award in April; and in November, Hazel England was honored for her wildlife conservation efforts by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

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About the Great Swamp Watershed Association

Founded in 1981, the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the water resources of the Passaic River region, from the Great Swamp headwaters to Newark Bay, for present and future generations. Through education, advocacy, science, land preservation, and stewardship, in collaboration with partners, we work to instill our communities with an awareness of water’s effect on health and the beauty of the environment, from source to sea.  The organization educates over 3,000 school children, monitors over 30 stream locations, and holds approximately 40 public events each year.

For more information about the Great Swamp Watershed Association, visit www.GreatSwamp.org.