In 2009, CRI granted the D&R Greenway Land Trust $199,500 towards this project through the RPWHP Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Re-grant Program.
The 57-acre Maple Lane Farm property in Hillsborough, New Jersey is located in Focal Area 9 as identified in the Raritan-Piedmont Wildlife Habitat Partnership (RPWHP) Grassland Conservation Plan as a high priority property for protection. Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus, a state threatened species, has been observed on a portion of the property, which exhibits suitable habitat – old hay field or fallow pasture. Additionally, the property is located next to more than 250 acres of additional suitable habitat and thus holds great potential for fulfilling conservation targets outlined in the RPWHP Grassland Conservation Plan.
This property is east of the largest expanse of open space in the area – the Sourland Mountain Preserve.
NJCF provided the funds for the easement through a grant they received from the NRCS Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) and then D&R Greenway purchased the remaining fee interest. D&R Greenway now owns and manages the property, and leases it to an area farmer with provisions for grassland bird habitat management. D&R Greenway plans to manage the tract for grassland conservation.
Environmental Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Biological Diversity: Habitat- state threatened/endangered species habitat protection
Total Project Cost: $1,314,500
Status: This project was purchased and preserved in the Summer of 2010.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
