Maple Ridge is a 113-acre former golf course that straddles the Mantua Creek in Deptford and Mantua Townships, Gloucester County. The property serves as excellent wildlife habitat and helps protect the water resources of the Mantua Creek watershed. The site is just upstream from the Wenonah Ravine Natural Heritage Priority Site, a wooded ravine featuring a critically imperiled tree species. Preservation would help establish conservation linkages up and down the stream corridor. Successful preservation of Maple Ridge would provide a host of recreational, educational, economic and sustainable growth services to the region. It is well positioned for a park of regional significance in an area that has experienced significant growth in recent years. In fact, conservation efforts need to move quickly as the property has obtained preliminary local approvals for 123 housing units.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- avoided deforestation
Biological Diversity: Preservation of critically imperiled tree species
Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality- protection of headwaters
Total Project Cost: $5 million
Status: Project partners include The New Jersey Conservation Foundation, the Friends of Maple Ridge, and the South Jersey Land and Water Trust. The Friends of Maple Ridge organization is exploring all potential funding sources from government grants to private fundraising. At this time, no funding commitments have been secured.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
