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2016 ANNUAL REPORT

NEW JERSEY’S biodiversity protecting protecting 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 3:02 PM Page 2

2016 TRUSTEES ABOUT THE COVER FROM CO

Kenneth H. Klipstein II HONORARY TRUSTEES Our cover collage illustrates the beauty and PRESIDENT Hon. Brendan T. Byrne diversity of New Jersey’s rare animals and plants. Wendy Mager Catherine M. Cavanaugh MEMBER FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Hon. Clockwise from upper left are red-headed Hon. Thomas H. Kean Catherine Bacon Winslow Hon. SECOND VICE PRESIDENT woodpecker, Io moth, Indiana bats, Pickering’s morning glory, long-tailed salamander, bobcat Robert J. Wolfe ADVISORY COUNCIL TREASURER Edward F. Babbott and Pine Barrens tree frog. In the center are

Pamela P. Hirsch Nancy Becker dear SECRETARY C. Austin Buck* Hessel’s hairstreak butterfly, left, and American Penelope Ayers Bradley M. Campbell kestrel. Many thanks to the contributing ASSISTANT SECRETARY Christopher J. Daggett John D. Hatch photographers, including Blaine Rothauser, H.R. Hegener Cecilia Birge Hon. Rush Holt Stephen Mason, Neha Savant, Tom Halliwell Roger Byrom Susan J. Hullin Theodore Chase, Jr. Cynthia Kellogg and Ashley Tubbs. Jack R. Cimprich Blair MacInnes Rosina B. Dixon, M.D. Thomas J. Maher Clement Fiori Scott McVay Chad Goerner David F. Moore Neil Grossman Mary W. Moore Douglas Haynes John Parker Joseph Lemond Ingrid W. Reed MISSION Michael S. Maglio L. Keith Reed Gordon A. Millspaugh, Jr. Jamie Kyte Sapoch Hon. Maureen Ogden Leslie Sauer Stephen W. Parker New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a Tama Matsuoka Wong Kathryn Porter Fran Raymond Price private, nonprofit organization whose mission Samantha Rothman is to preserve land and natural resources Susan Swayne EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Louise Currey Wilson Michele S. Byers throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all.

* DENOTES DECEASED MEMBER

Through acquisition and stewardship, we protect strategic lands from the Highlands to JOIN US the Pine Barrens to the Delaware Bayshore. We promote strong land conservation policies at the local, state and federal levels, forge part- For membership information, please visit our website at www.njconservation.org or call us at 1-888-LANDSAVE. nerships to achieve conservation goals, and Our mailing address is provide support and technical assistance to 170 Longview Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931. partner groups. Since 1960, we have helped Follow us on Facebook! @njconservation protect more than 125,000 acres of natural areas, farms, parks and water resources. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 3

CONSERVATION FOUNDATION’S LEADERSHIP ERS AND FRIENDS

New Jersey has amazing biological diversity. Our distinct geological regions – everything from mountains to beaches – provide a richness of native animal and plant species exceeding many states much larger in size. But some of these species are struggling. Due to habitat loss, , forest fragmentation, competition from invasive species, diseases, and other factors, many species have slipped from common to rare. Those listed by the state as “endangered” are in jeopardy of vanishing from New Jersey. But there’s hope. That hope lies in preserving lands that support wildlife habitat, restoring damaged habitats and adopting policies that include strong protections for endangered and threatened species. For nearly 60 years, New Jersey Conservation Foundation has preserved lands throughout New Jersey, stewarding land wisely, and advocating for policies at all levels of government that protect wildlife and rare species. At the 11,500 acre Franklin Parker Preserve in the heart of the Pine Barrens – a former cranberry farm – we restored 1,100 acres of Atlantic white cedar forest. Why is this important? One reason is Hessel’s hairstreak, a tiny, beautiful butterfly whose caterpillars feed exclusively on Atlantic white cedar. Hessel’s hairstreak butterflies have disappeared in many places. But they’re thriving at the Franklin Parker Preserve and on other preserved lands in the Pine Barrens. We’ll introduce you to a sampling of the animals and plants considered endangered, threatened or special concern species in our state. With your help, New Jersey Conservation will continue to preserve and restore habitats for these rare animals and plants. Thank you so much for your generosity over the years! Without our members, friends and partners, our work saving land and protecting native species would not be possible.

MICHELE S. BYERS KENNETH H. KLIPSTEIN II EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRESIDENT 23740_Layout 18/14/172:10PMPage4 Photo by Blaine Rothauser protecting NE W JERSEY biodiversi ’S ty 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 5

2016 Annual Report 5

New Jersey is a small state that packs a big biological diversity punch. Thanks to a remarkably varied landscape and temperate climate, plant and animal diversity rivals states many times our size.

From the rugged Highlands to sandy ocean beaches, from Pine “Conservation blueprint will help us preserve as much biodiversity barrens forests to Delaware bay tidal marshes, thousands of plant as we can, while we can,” said Dr. Emile DeVito, our staff biologist. and animal species call New Jersey home. “One thing we can do is save large ecosystems from fragmenta- They include 415 mammals, breeding birds, reptiles, amphibians tion,” DeVito added. “We need to preserve large, intact pieces of and freshwater fish; 500 migratory birds, marine mammals, and land that are the most pristine.” saltwater fish; and tens of thousands of invertebrates. more than Preserving and protecting large swaths of open land will also help 2,100 native plants grow here, including several species found New Jersey adapt as much as possible to a warming climate. nowhere else in the world. Northern New Jersey is most at risk because species cannot adapt New Jersey’s native plants and animals face many threats, including or move as quickly as the climate changes. Conversely, the New loss of habitat, competition from invasive species, degradation to Jersey Pine barren uplands are less susceptible to the impacts to overabundant deer, land disturbance, contamination and of climate change because they lie at the northern end of the climate change. country’s southern ecosystems. Eighty-six New Jersey animals are considered endan- In the following pages, read about some of New Jersey’s rare gered or threatened. Endangered species are those animals and plants – and what New Jersey Conservation Foundation From the rugged Highlands whose prospects for survival in New Jersey are and our partners are doing to help ensure their survival. to sandy ocean beaches, in immediate jeopardy, while threatened species are those that could become endangered if Two of the state’s rarest plants, bog asphodel and Pickering’s from Pine Barrens forests to populations continue to decline. morning glory, are both found in the Pine barrens where our largest preserve – the Franklin Parker Preserve – is located. You’ll also learn Delaware Bay tidal marshes, A total 818 plants are either endangered or “species of concern.” The species of concern about butterfly and moth research in the Pine barrens, as well as thousands of plant designation means these plants need monitor- the region’s unofficial mascot, the Pine barrens tree frog. and animal species call ing because they are declining and could become Two of the state’s rare birds highlighted in this report are kestrels, endangered. which are nesting on preserved land in western Hunterdon County, New Jersey home. New Jersey Conservation Foundation protects New and red-headed woodpeckers, which have established a large Jersey’s biodiversity – especially endangered and threat- breeding population at the michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve ened species –by preserving land with outstanding wildlife in the Pine barrens. habitat, restoring damaged habitat, and advocating for the Some species are faring better than others. Encouraging news responsible stewardship of natural lands throughout the state. includes bobcats, which are making a comeback after being In 2016, we and our partners – the New Jersey chapter of The effectively wiped out in New Jersey. bats, however, are still Nature Conservancy, Rowan University and the William Penn struggling to rebound after being devastated by a disease known Foundation – introduced Conservation blueprint, an innovative as White-nose Syndrome. A bog turtle, considered endangered in digital mapping tool to help pinpoint the most important For more information, visit www.njconservation.org New Jersey, climbs over pitcher plants conservation lands to preserve. in the northwest corner of the state. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 6

6 2016 Annual Report

2016 donors OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON OUR DONORS Thank you to all who contributed in 2016.

C Ernest Christian Klipstein Foundation Ellerslie Fund of the James and Virginia Welch Foundation FOUNDATION SUPPORT $10,000 - $24,999 C C bunbury Fund at the The Curtis W. mcGraw Foundation Princeton Area Community Foundation The Winslow Foundation Princeton Area Community Foundation Hella and Scott mcVay Fund of the The merrill G. & Emita Hastings Foundation The Homestead Foundation, Inc. Princeton Area Community Foundation Healey Family Foundation $500 - $999 $100,000 and above C The 1772 Foundation, Inc. The Koven Foundation mKm Foundation Rush Holt & margaret Lancefield Fund of the The Halpern Family Foundation C The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Harris Family Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation William and Nancy Lifland Fund C Peter R. and Cynthia K. Kellogg Foundation Princeton Area Community Foundation The Kane Family Foundation of the Princeton Area Community Foundation C C $2,500 - $4,999 F. m. Kirby Foundation Helen & William mazer Foundation The Kirk Kellogg Foundation Gordon and Llura Gund Fund of the C C The Charles E. and Pheasant Hill Foundation C Losam Fund Princeton Area Community Foundation The William Penn Foundation Edna T. brundage Foundation mary Reinhart Stackhouse Foundation Wilhelmina b. moyer-Ross Foundation Fund margaret Parker Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation The Gelfand Family Foundation, Inc. River branch Foundation miranda Fund of the C of the Delaware Community Foundation Community Foundation of New Jersey C Sumner Gerard Foundation Victoria Foundation, Inc. Community Foundation of New Jersey Langdon Palmer memorial Internship Fund Scobey Fund of the Stone Foundation of New Jersey of the Community Foundation of New Jersey Community Foundation of New Jersey The John Tyler Foundation $1,000 - $2,499 Todd Hans Rothpletz Foundation Warters Family Fund of the $50,000 - $99,999 C bassett Foundation On behalf of Rothpletz, Puglia and Community Foundation of New Jersey C The Fund for New Jersey The Howard bayne Fund Sameth families Ph tb T P tt fi ld $5,000 - $9,999 William deCamp Jr. Fund of the The Sprocket Foundation $250 - $499 $25,000 - $49,999 Acorn Foundation Community Foundation of New Jersey Penny and Ted Thomas Fund of the Pisani Family Fund of the Fox Foundation Dobson Family Fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey Arthur Kontos Foundation, Inc. C Princeton Area Community Foundation Johanette Wallerstein Institute Frelinghuysen Foundation Princeton Area Community Foundation The Thomas & Agnes Carvel Foundation Red Devil Foundation Reed Family Foundation E.J. Grassmann Trust W. bryce Thompson Foundation Rosemont Foundation

IMPACT OF PROPOSED PIPELINE ON THREATENED salamanders

As their name suggests, long-tailed salamanders are mostly tail. Accounting for two-thirds of their body length, these long tails easily break off when grabbed by a predator, allowing the salamanders to escape. Tails regenerate in a few months. Photo by Neha Savant Neha by Photo Since 1970, long-tailed salamanders have been considered threatened in New Jersey. The range of these brightly colored salamanders extends across the northern half of the state, and their habitats are closely tied to the geology of the landscape, especially streams and ponds. In western Hunterdon and Mercer counties, the area threatened by the proposed PennEast pipeline, long-tailed salamanders are being studied to see how they would be impacted. Neha Gajendra Savant, a graduate student in the conservation biology program at , is conducting field research and collecting DNA samples of these salamanders. The DNA will be used to determine the “genetic connectivity” of salamanders: that is, how populations are related to one another. Savant hopes to take DNA samples of 300 long-tailed salamanders by the end of summer and analyze them over the fall and winter. Her study is expected to be completed by May 2018. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 7

2016 Annual Report 7

THE LAST OF THE bog asphodels

With its bright yellow clusters of star-shaped flowers, bog asphodel (Narthecium americanum) is one of the state’s rarest plants – found nowhere on Earth but the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Historically, populations of bog asphodel existed in North Carolina, South Carolina and Delaware. But due to changes in habitat, those populations haven’t been seen in years and are believed lost forever. Today, a 20-by-30-mile area of the Pine Barrens – spanning parts of Burlington, Ocean and Atlantic counties, where the Wading, Oswego, Batsto and Atsion rivers flow – is the last remaining stronghold of the bog asphodel. This small geographic area includes the 11,379-acre Franklin Parker Preserve, where bog asphodel populations can be seen along stream corridors, open savannas and openings in cedar swamps. “The places where you find bog asphodel are some of the most scenic and beautiful places in the Pine Barrens,” said Russell Juelg, New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Pine Barrens senior land steward. “It’s a real treat to go out and see this plant when it’s in flower. Wherever you find bog asphodel, you almost always find a variety of other characteristic plants of the Pine Barrens, including sundews, pitcher plants and yellow eyed grasses.” Photo by Tom Potterfield Tom by Photo

$100 - $249 $5,000 - $9,999 National Wildlife Federation New Jersey Highlands Council Save barnegat bay Corbin Family Fund of the Foglio & Associates Raritan Headwaters Association Ronald berlin Architect, PC Short Hills Home Garden Club Community Foundation of New Jersey Honeywell International, Inc. Trust For Public Land Roots Landscape Inc. Sierra Club-NJ Chapter Cooper Family Fund of the macy's Corporate Giving Vargo Associates Surveying Stony brook-millstone Watershed Association Union County Vocational Technical School Community Foundation of New Jersey Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Township of millstone Coastal American Foundation PSEG $500 - $999 The Richard R. Howe Foundation Washington Crossing Audubon Society 3 0 Rod and Gun Club, Inc. $100 - $249 The margetts Foundation Doggett Corporation ANJEC MATCHING GIFTS E. Fitz Art bergen County Soil Conservation District Thomas and Elizabeth Uhlman Family Fund $2,500 - $4,999 C of the Community Foundation of New Jersey Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Eisner Amper Accountants & Advisors Center for Creative Placemaking American Century Investments michael Huber Sportsman Club The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey Crossroads of the C bank of America matching Gifts Peapack-Gladstone bank Integra Realty Resources American Revolution Association bristol-myers Squibb Foundation, Inc. Pinelands Preservation Alliance Jm Sorge, Inc. Ronald A. Curini Appraisal Company, Inc. Chubb & Son Inc. CORPORATE AND Jump, Perry and Company, LLP East Coast Greenway Alliance Cigna Foundation ORGANIZATION $1,000 - $2,499 metropolitan Seafood Friends of the Rancocas Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Atlantic Health System monmouth Conservation Foundation Harris Surveying, Inc. matching Gifts Program SUPPORT C CIS Construction LLC Short Hills Garden Club Harry L. Schwarz & Co. Harder & Company Community Research The Conservation Fund Ireland brook Enterprises, LLC Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies $250 - $499 $100,000 and above D&R Greenway County of monmouth merck Partnership for Giving basking Ridge Animal Hospital New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Dale Group, Inc. Nissan Gift matching Program David Rago Auction, Inc. brinkerhoff Environmental Services , Inc. New Jersey Future Open Space Institute C The William Penn Foundation matching Gifts EarthShare of New Jersey Cornerstone Financial Group New Jersey Highlands Coalition Pfizer Foundation F. Gerald New, Inc. Covered bridge Trail Association New Jersey Water Supply Authority $10,000 - $24,999 C Pitney bowes Charity Giving Station Colonial Pipeline Company michael E. Heenehan Environmental Consultant Garden Club of Princeton Ocean County College UbS Land Trust Alliance Hunterdon Hiking Club Rahway River Association The Nature Conservancy C Verisk Analytics matching Gifts Program mcElroy, Deutsch, mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP Just Give Rake & Hoe Garden Club, Inc., of Westfield, NJ Verizon matching Gifts Program morris County Park Commission

C Donors for ten or more consecutive years 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 8

8 2016 Annual Report

ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR FORESTS PROTECT RARE butterfly

Among New Jersey’s rare butterflies, Hessel’s hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli) is one of the most beautiful, its emerald green wings accented with brown and white patterning. “It used to be super common on the East Coast, but 90 percent of its range has been obliterated,” said Stephen Mason, a Drexel University doctoral student who studies insects at the Franklin Parker Preserve in the Pine Barrens. Why has this tiny butterfly’s range declined so precipitously? Because Hessel’s hairstreak caterpillars are “specialists,” feeding exclusively on a single plant – the Atlantic white cedar tree – said Mason. Unfortunately for the Hessel’s hairstreak, lumber made from Atlantic white cedars has been highly prized for centuries for its durability and resistance to rot. The earliest European settlers clear cut most of the east’s once-abundant Atlantic white cedar forests. The good news is that several years ago, New Jersey Conservation Foundation completed an extensive Atlantic white cedar restoration including the planting of over 25,000 trees on 1,100 acres. At the Franklin Parker Preserve and other preserved lands with Atlantic white cedar forests, the Hessel’s hairstreak will always have plentiful habitat. Photo by Stephen Mason Stephen by Photo

INDIVIDUALS mr. Laurance S. Rockefeller, Jr. mrs. Susan D. Karlin mr. and mrs. James C. brady, Jr. Stephen C. Gruber Eric and Patsi Sumner John L. Kemmerer, III Franta broulik Pamela and Howard Hirsch C Harry and Joannah Wilmerding Dan and Gail Kopp mr. and Dr. Thomas A. brummer The Hon. Rush D. Holt and C mr. and mrs. Samuel W. Lambert, III John and Jenifer Nina burghardt Dr. margaret Lancefield $100,000 and above C $5,000 - $9,999 Joseph and Jennifer Lemond bradley m. Campbell and Katherine Hackl Albert and Diane Horner Anonymous Donor C C C Dr. Theodore Chase and mrs. Victory Chase Aili Liu and bo Xing Lisa Caplan Jeffrey and Dawn Howell L. Keith and Lisa Reed C C Jack and Ronnie Cimprich Jennifer and John mcGahren Ruth Charnes Samuel G. Huber $50,000 - $99,999 mr. John P. de Neufville ms. Patricia murphy and ms. Karen murphy Chris Chickering Susan and Tod Hullin Dr. Rosina b. and mr. Richard Dixon C C Penelope Ayers C Nelson Obus and Eve Coulson Kenneth and marilyn Cummings Peter W. Jewell Clem and Joanna Fiori C C mrs. Langdon Palmer Thomas and brenda Curnin Harold Kiel $25,000 - $49,999 mr. and mrs. Thomas b. Harvey, Jr. Tari Pantaleo Lloyd and Sally Davis Richard m. Lawrence C C Anonymous Donor Rosa marie Johnson John S. and Leslie V. Reed, Jr. Anne m. Debevoise Dr. and mrs. Robert Lewis C Emma Joy Dana Edward and margaret Kelly Jacqueline Strigl William D. deCamp, Jr. Andy Dobson and Annarie Lyles C Gates and mary Ellen Hawn mr. and mrs. Robert Luckow C Susan and Thompson Swayne barbara R. Delafield Alexandra A. manning Wendy mager and Eric monberg C michael Dawson and Robert Tomaselli Anna Drago Kenneth meyers $10,000 - $24,999 Scott and Hella mcVay C C Louise and Cliff Wilson John and Anne Duffy mr. Thomas D. michalenko Catherine bacon and Paul Winslow Joan and Sandy millspaugh C C C Lee and John Yeash Joanne Elliott Sally and David mikkelsen ms. Eleanor S. Campbell-Swank Kathryn A. and James m. Porter C mr. and mrs. Danforth Ely Susan and marc mink mrs. Catherine A. m. Cavanaugh mr. and mrs. benson T. Ross C $1,000 - $2,499 Clare and Larry Fox Vanessa F. mitchell and Jonathan R. Tarlin mr. Neil Grossman and Nancy Wolff bob and barbara Wolfe R. brent and Deirdre F. Alderfer Austin and Gwen Fragomen Wilhelmina b. moyer mr. and mrs. Robert H. Harris Elise Wright mr. and mrs. Philip D. Allen C C Jane morton Galetto Kurt munkacsi and Nancy Jeffries Holly R. Hegener and Jon Cummings millicent Anisfield C C C C Frederick and Gael W. Gardner Janet and Daniel E. murnick Caroline P. Huber $2,500 - $4,999 Edward and Cynthia babbott Sophie and Curtis Glovier mr. Stephen W. Parker and Dr. Elizabeth Hillyer James and Gretchen Johnson Kate Adams and Duke Wiser Robert and Pamela becker mr. Chad Goerner Suzanne Perrault and David Rago mr. and mrs. Kenneth H. Klipstein, II mr. and mrs. C. Austin buck Gretchen biedron C C mrs. Sara Jane Gordon Louis and Teri Piancone David and mary moore Roger byrom Cecilia birge C C Charles and Laurel Gould Howard Pronsky and Joseph maurer The Hon. maureen Ogden Dean C. Durling mr. and mrs. Douglas C. borden Ph tb Bl iR th 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 9

2016 Annual Report 9

Leslie and Eileen Quick $500 - $999 mr. michael J. Faul, Jr. William Kurtz Catherine Schaeder Elizabeth Raschbaum ms. Rachel J. Finkle and mr. Sven Helmer bob and mary Lane Douglas m. Schleifer and maureen m. Smyth Candace m. Ashmun C Amy and Jay Regan Chana R. Fitton and William A. Timpson Theresa Joy Lanuto mrs. Elizabeth Schmid Peter and Katie barnes C Fred and Laura Rhodes Robert L. Foester W. Oliver Leggett bruce and Sara Schundler Julie C. baron C C mr. and mrs. John P. Rielly bruce and Karin Gast Anita and Jeffrey Liebman James and Sharon Schwarz mary and Dick benioff C Samantha Rothman and John Hankin Chris and James besanceney Stephen Gattoni William and Nancy Lifland Nancy Squier mr. and mrs. michael E. Rothpletz barbara and W. michael blumenthal Alexandra Gerry Karen Linder mr. Paul W. Steinbeiser C C Dr. Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia Antoine and Noemie Gerschel Edward and mary Lynn marra Scott and Donna Stevens John and Rosanne bornholdt C W. Rodman Ryan Christopher Hamilton brashier Jim and Kathleen Gilbert Elisa A. mazen and Jeffrey S. mazen brian Storms Louisa Sargent David and Loren Gilbert Roger D. mellick, III Patricia Stover margot brubaker C Nancy Z. Schreyer Gerald Camera and michael Whelan mr. and mrs. David D. Gladfelter The Hon. Joseph H. metelski Janice Summers C C Jeffrey and mary Louise Shafer Charles and Jean Chapin marfy Goodspeed and Richard Zimmer mr. and ms. John T. Newell Webster b. Todd, Jr. Eric and Constance Silverman Tracey and C.D. Clarke mr. James A. Gordon, Jr. Wayne Nordberg and Janet mavec Katherine Tozour Sandra L. Simpson meg and Tom Gorrie margaret H. Parker Adrienne Tymiak and David Ackerman Jeanne and Peter Clarke C Robert W. Simpson and Glenna R. Simpson Dr. Richard H. Colby mr. and mrs. Gordon Gund Henry S. Patterson, III mrs. betsy Walton Hank and Sarah Slack mr. Ashley Hammond Tim and Sandra Perkins margaret Warters C Rebecca Condit C Hunt and margaret Stockwell Roger and Friederike Harris mr. and mrs. Theodore S. Peyton mr. and mrs. James O. Welch, Jr. Jonathan and beliz Crook C Richard and Laura Szwak Tracy Cruise Louis and Gail Harris Edward Pfeiffer William Welch C C C C Chuck and Ravenna Taylor Paul N. Dackow mrs. Nora E. J. Hayes Virginia and Robert Pierson beth Yingling Ted and Penny Thomas Doug and Susan Haynes Dr. and mrs. Stanley Praiss mr. Robert Zappalorti, Sr. John and margo Dana C mr. and mrs. John D. Wallace Robin L. Davis and mark Plummer Gayle Chamberlin Hoyt Hilary Prouty Todd Zimmerman and Laurie Volk Kathleen Ward Linda Winsor Delap and Robert J. Delap Christy Johnson Janice Reid michael J. White mr. and mrs. Vincent Dibianca Dr. Stephanie b. Jones Greg and Carol Romano $250 - $499 William and Elizabeth Wolfe Susan Dorward The Hon. bill Carmean and Nancy Ross ms. Valerie b. Ackerman mr. Frederick Young and ms. Joy Stocke Cheryl Ann Kennedy Don and Ann Rotunno mr. Timothy Alley Robert R. Durden, II and Elizabeth Durden C Carol m. Kleis and Rex A. Parker mr. and mrs. John L. Ryan Grania and George Allport Jacqueline H. Evans C Sybil Kramer Chris and michelle Sala Gregory A. barksdale, D.D.S.

‘WARBLER PRESERVE’ HOSTS RED-HEADED woodpeckers

Don’t let the name of the Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve fool you. This 1,227-acre preserve in the Pine Barrens has plenty of prairie warblers and much more! The Huber Preserve is also home to a large breeding population of red-headed woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), which are considered threatened in New Jersey. Red-headed woodpeckers are easy to identify by their spectacular coloring: brilliant red heads, white underparts, and black backs with large white patches on their wings. Once common in the east, red-headed woodpeckers have severely declined over the past 50 years due to wildfire suppression, competition with European starlings for nesting sites, and road mortality. Like other woodpeckers, red-headed woodpeckers drill into trees for insects. But unlike most others, they also catch insects in flight and hunt for them on the ground, and will eat acorns and beech nuts. They’ll also stash food in tree crevices and under bark to eat later. Their preferred habitat is open oak or pine forest with scattered dead trees and plentiful sunlight on the grounds, a habitat type created by wildfires at the Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve and other sites in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Photo by Blaine Rothauser Blaine by Photo 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 10

10 2016 Annual Report

C Laura and Jeff barnes Pete Gitlitz Alan and Donna L. Kunze michael and maureen Santoro $100 - $249 ms. Jill A. baxter Susan Gnall bill and blair Lawlor Jamie and John Sapoch C Jefferey and Sara Abrams Andrea m. bonette ms. Veronica Goldberg and mr. Rick Nordling Dr. William Lupatkin and mrs. Julie T. Lupatkin Anne and Doug Scher Dr. beatrice b. Abrams C C C mr. and mrs. Richard J. bonuccelli Dr. and mrs. Stephen A. Goldman Richard and Gemma Lury Alan Scott C Thelma Achenbach mr. and mrs. John braniff Lynda Goldschein Lisa and marty macCollum John and Josephine Scully C Ronald Adams Sally and Gordon brummer mr. bruce Green Thomas and Anne macCowatt Paul Sheahen and maureen Huntley Richard and Christa Ahrens Russell and Shirley buchanan Oliver Hamill and Kate Webb Cara macy Grace Sinden Christine Alber C byrom burns Vivian Hanson Susan mamis Frances Spann C C Renee Allen ms. michele S. byers mr. and mrs. David Hargrave mr. matthew martin Josey Stamm C Judith A. and Frederick H. Allen John S. Cebak Dr. Daniel A. Harris and ms. Jane buttars Lisa and Jan mayle michael and Jane Steele Janet and Frank Allocca C C C William and Wendy Clarke Peter D. Haugk David H. mcAlpin, Jr. marianne Teetsel and Robert Jacobs Florence Aluotto C C Dr. Jonathan Cobb and ms. Suzzanne Douglas michael and Carol Heffler George and melissa mcClellan ms. Alice S. Tempel and mr. Leigh Walker C mr. and mrs. James C. Amon Larry and mary Coffey Robert and Sarah Hemsen Peggy mcDonnell Walsh Kathi and John Thonet C Linny and merrick G. Andlinger Joseph and Jeannie Colalillo ms. Karen Hertzog and mr. Chris Stoddard Adrian mendez Carol Tiffany James Andrews and Amy Pearlmutter C C C Donald Conklin bob and Diane Holtaway Robert and Veronica mitchell Louise Tompkins C Richard Armstrong ms. Katherine V. Dresdner, Esq. Robert K. Hornby Dr. Donald P. mitrane Dr. Daniel J. Van Abs C George Arnett and Serena K. Arnett Lynn and Tom Ebeling bernadette Hunsicker Elise W. murray Todd Van Gordon C C Linda Atkins Susan and Lowell Edmunds maryann and Robert Isham John and maja Parker Peter Villa C Kevin J. Avery barry and Cecilia Eldred John and Carol Jackson Edmund Peters margaret von der Linde mr. and mrs. James Ayers C C C Charles and Norma Evans mrs. marshall Jeanes Joy Petzinger Peter R. Waldor and Jody D. miller Deborah W. bailey Diana Evans Erica L. Johanson and James V. Powers mr. b. michael Pisani Dr. Sara Webb Joseph L. balwierczak William Fine Andrew W. Johnson ms. Caroline Rader Larry Wehr marion banta Nicholas and Kristin Fiori Dr. Julia Johnson benjamin Redditt Anne and Stephen K. West mr. michael baratta

C C Ph tb T H lli ll David and Rosanne Fleischl martin Judd mr. Allen Reese and mr. Joseph m. Hengel Governor Christine T. Whitman C Scott barnes Gregg and Jean Frankel mr. and mrs. Steven J. Kaufmann Karen A. Richards Van Zandt and myra Williams C marjorie barrett Keith Freehauf Thomas and Liz Kelsey Tim Riegert Elizabeth and Robert Wilson C Laura bartels The Hon. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen David King Gabriella Risatti David and Debbie Yaskulka C Richard and Connie batherman michael F. Gallaway mary E. Koether Alan Rojer and Ellen Relkin Paula Yudkowitz C melba battin matthew Garamone Edward and Dolores Kresge mr. mark Rothstein Dr. William baumbach Steve and Karen Garofalini John E. Kresge Nancy H. becker

ELUSIVE bobcats REBOUNDING IN NEW JERSEY

Among New Jersey’s native wild animals, few are more shy and elusive than bobcats (Lynx rufus). Even wildlife biologists constantly looking for bobcats consider themselves lucky to spot one. New Jersey’s only native wildcat, bobcats essentially vanished from New Jersey by the 1970s due to habitat loss from deforestation, development and changes in farming practices. Efforts to bring back bobcats began in the late 1970s, when state wildlife officials trapped cats in Maine and brought them to New Jersey. From 1978 to 1982, 24 bobcats were released in sections of Warren, Sussex and Morris counties north of Interstate 80. Bobcats are considered endangered in New Jersey, but their numbers appear to be increasing and their range expanding. Recently, a bobcat was photographed on the proposed route of the PennEast pipeline in Hunterdon and Mercer counties. Bobcats are two to three times the size of a housecat, with a distinctive short “bobbed” tail, markings that range from spotted patterns to tabby stripes, and many have black tufts on the tips of their ears. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 11

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SAVING RARE morning glories

Unlike the showy “garden variety” of morning glory, the tiny wildflower known as Pickering’s morning glory has a subtle beauty in keeping with its mysterious Pine Barrens home. Its long vines trail almost unnoticed along the sandy ground, and its delicate star-shaped white flowers blossom in the early summer. Pickering’s morning glory is one of the rarest flowers of the Pine Barrens, with many of its historic populations damaged – or completely wiped out – by illegal off-road vehicles, dumping of construction debris, and lack of wildfires. Emile DeVito, our staff biologist, has been working for years to save Pickering’s morning glory from extinction in New Jersey. In 2009, he and other researchers surveyed Pickering’s morning glory populations throughout the Pine Barrens. Of 22 previously documented populations, nine had completely disappeared and another four were on the brink of extinction. In 2015, they discovered a previously unknown population while radio-tracking a female pine snake to her nest burrow – right in the middle of a morning glory patch! DeVito and New Jersey Conservation Foundation are taking measures to save the remaining Pickering’s morning glories, including building barriers around plant populations, removing alien weeds like Chinese bush clover, advocating for stronger off-road vehicle laws and better enforcement, and erecting signage near roadside plants so that work crews won’t accidentally mow them over. Photo by Tom Halliwell Tom by Photo

ms. Heidi becker Wendy and Tim brill Gloria Colombo Prof. Douglas S. Eakeley Charles Fraser William and Caroline beidelman William brower Unni Cooper ms. barbara Edwards Deborah Freedman June bente mr. David K brown mrs. Emilie W. Corbin ms. Kay S. Eifert ms. Rebecca French-mesch C bruce and barbara berger mr. and mrs. Nicholas brown John and Tracey Costanzo molly Ellsworth Russell Furnari Israel berrios Terese and Joseph buchanan Carolyn barnes Coughlin mr. and mrs. Charles Gordon Engel mark Gallagher mr. Ronald bianchi Dr. Joseph burgiel Harden and Ailsa Crawford James Engel mr. William P. Gangel, III C barbara and Joel bickell Thomas and Elizabeth Cabarle Dr. William J. Cromartie Laurel Erdman Anne and C C mr. and mrs. John C. biggins Dr. mesut b. Cakir Walt Croom Thomas and Ann Ewig Steve Gates and Julie Fox C Veronica bishop Carol G. Carlson Rick Dabagian barrie Fahey Audrey and moore Gates, Jr. C Pat b. black and Carol W. English mr. Robert J. Carr, Sr. Sandy Damiano Jeffrey Faigle mr. and mrs. James Gelly C mrs. Donald R. blair Woodrow Carsky-Wilson Rev. Julia S. Dawson Huck and Pamela Fairman Jeanne George mr. and mrs. William C. blanchard Astrid m. Caruso and Roger T. Prichard Lorilee and Paul Debiasse Dr. and mrs. Eugene P. Fazzini Carol Gillesberg C Alan and Susan blanchette Calvin Carver and Anne DeLaney michael and marilyn Dee Steven Fenster Laurie R. Gneiding and michael J. brady C mr. and mrs. Raymond m. blinn Gladys A. Case Patricia Deering Anthony and Leslie Ficcaglia Joel and Carole Goldstein C martin and Anne mozer bloomenthal Ann Cavanaugh beth Degen Daniel and margery Fiori mr. and mrs. Charles C. Goodfellow C C Aaron bobrove Ralph Celebre and Susan Haase John and Nancy Demarrais Roger E. Flahive and Eileen A. mallor Robert and Pamela Goss ms. Carolee bol David Chandler Jignasa Desai-mcCleary Jared Flesher Joy Grafton Janet bone Clement Chang Ted and Jess Deutsch Randolph Floyd ms. Anne S. Gralla Kate booth James and Karen Chapman Frank Discenza James J. Flynn, Jr. melanie E. Gray and David N. Rubin Dr. Ingeborg D. bossert Richard and Sally Chrisman Kate Dixon and mr. Dan Wilkinson Noel K. Foley Dennis Gray and Lena Jonsson C mr. and mrs. Robert boulton Christian Family Douglas Dixon Anne Forbes Sally C. Greenwood C marlene boyd Jean Churchill William Doan mr. and mrs. malcolm S. Forbes michael Gross C Jeffrey bradley Judith Cinquina Catherine Dodge Susan F. Ford Henry and Doris Gutsmuth C beth b. branigan mr. Edward Cissel mr. Alfred T. Driscoll William and Constance Fortenbaugh Heather Haberle C Elizabeth breedlove bill Claus Sandra Dudek Joanne Foster George and Ann Hackl Drs. Stephen brenner and Pam benfield Tom and marilyn Clendenny Dr. Joan Durbin mr. and mrs. Richard H. Francis Tricia Haertlein Charles briggs ms. Janis K. Cole and mr. Richard F. Lambert Anne Dyjak and Joe Filo Caren and John Franzini Jason Hafstad 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 12

12 2016 Annual Report

PINE BARRENS tree frogs

One of the most iconic sounds of the New Jersey Pine Barrens is the rapid, nasal “quonk-quonk-quonk” mating call of Pine Barrens tree frogs (Hyla andersonii) on warm spring evenings. These tiny tree frogs, among the state’s most beautiful amphibians, are less than two inches long, with vibrant green skin and bold markings. Pine Barrens tree frogs prefer acidic habitats like Atlantic white cedar swamps and pitch pine lowlands carpeted with sphagnum moss. Cranberry bogs and seepage areas along Pine Barrens rivers and streams also serve as breeding habitat. Pine Barrens tree frogs’ adaptation for acidic water allows them to outcompete other frogs that can’t tolerate the low pH. The greatest threat to Pine Barrens tree frogs comes from degradation due to water pollution from farming and development. New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Pine Barrens preserves, like the Franklin Parker Preserve in Burlington County, serve as strongholds Ashley Tubbs Ashley for Pine Barrens tree frog populations. Photo by by Photo

Susan Haig Sally Ike Dr. Deirdre Kramer Kenneth L. macRitchie mr. and mrs. A. Perry morgan, Jr. Helen H. Haines James Irish mr. Henry W. Kreuter Ronald manning John morse Thomas Haines Catherine Jaeckle Kevin and Leslie Kuchinski mr. and mrs. Thomas J. marino Samuel and Joyce moulthrop C Thomas and Constance Halliwell Charlotte Jaffe Jason Kurtz Frank and Kathleen marshall mr. and mrs. Gary mount Samuel m. Hamill bob and Florence Jennes michael and Donna Lacey Luke marshall bethanne mowery C ms. Amy Hansen ms. Janet C. Jessel Elizabeth K. Lambert Jeffrey marshall Robert D. moyer C mr. and mrs. mark Harms Carol Johnson Joann R. Lambiase Steven and Karen martino Holly muller C Clarke and Ruth Harris Janet Johnson Steven E. Lane Louis matlack F. Gordon and Sara Jane myers C marion Harris Harry Jones Shawn and Jennifer Lange Thomas G. mcbride Raymond and Nancy Nadaskay C Helen Hartkopf Alice G. Jones brett Ledman Jack and bette mcCarron Suzanne Nash Ellen Nalle Hass molly and bill Jones brian Lee Susan Wood and Grant mcCool Edith Neimark Eric Hausmann John Kalamar and marianne Centorino maurice Lee Elizabeth G. mcCutcheon Polly and John Nelson Jennifer Helm mr. and mrs. Stanley N. Katz mr. Kirk m. Lee Elizabeth mcGrail ms. Susan Ann Newberry C mr. and mrs. Carl Hemmingsen Rob and Nina Kaufelt Andrew T. Rowan and Andrea E. Lehman James and Karen mcGregor Dr. and mrs. Allan W. Newcomb C mary Herberich William L. Keefauver marie Leithauser Joe mcKenzie beth Nichols C Janet Heroux mrs. Valerie Kent Stephen Leitner Evelyn mcKinley William and Judy Ninke C C Alan m. Hershey Nan and Robert Keohane Dr. and mrs. Will E. Leland martha T. mcKinnon Tanya Nolte and Erik Anderson Ervin and Susan Hoag matthew W. Kester ms. Elizabeth Lempert and mr. Kenneth Norman mrs. William T. mcLean beth O'brien Ellen and Stuart Hochberger Christoph and Flora Kimmich Edwin and Judith Leonard James and Patricia mcPherson Jayne O'Connor C C C Robert and Tracy Hofstrom mr. and mrs. Charles C. King Arthur S. Levy Daryl E. mecklem and Kathleen A. Howard Alfred Olivi David Holman Cynthia Kingsford Ed Leydon bruce and Linda meier John and Sara Olsen C ms. Janice Holms and mr. Dan Saunders Charles Klein Carol b. Lipman Edward menchaca Dr. Everett Oren and Priscilla Oren C C basil and Rilda Hone Carl and Ann Klemme Arleen Lipsman Paul and Karen mengden Peter Ostberg C betsy Hoover bernie and Doreen Knaupp Andrew and Anya Littauer George merck Cynthia Paladino briana R. Huber Denise Koetas-Dale Jennifer Lublin and David Rojer ms. Andrea mergentime and mr. Carl Klingler Dr. and mrs. Grant Van Siclen Parr C C mr. mark Huddell and ms. Kerry L. miller mr. John Kohler William b. Lum Deborah meyer Jillian Parry C C Thomas and Gloria Huey Lawrence Koplik and Sarah Roberts Susan Lupow Susan michniewski Dr. Charles W. Paul James W. and Connie O. Hughes James Kotronis John and Virginia Lynch Denise milot Ruth T. Penner C Sonya Hulbert Susan Koval Daniel Lynch Alison E. mitchell and Chris Keep Stephen Petross C C Gene Huntington Thomas Koven Pamela and Roland machold Richard and Lorraine mnich James Petrucci C Travis and margaret Hutchinson Steven b. Krakauer Peter macholdt and Kathy Fedorko mr. Ed molinari Hugo and marilyn Pfaltz Ph tb U SFi h Wildlif d S i 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 13

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C Henry Pfeiffer C. Graydon and mary Rogers Anthony Silva becky Taylor Sharon and Wade Wander David Piscitelli Dr. and mrs. Kevin P. Rohane Liz Silvernail Christopher J. Teasdale michelle Wangenheim C mrs. James C. Pitney Anne-marie Romano Shary and Gary Skoloff Cheryl Smith Terry William C. Ward, Jr. Dr. mark Plummer Walter and Penelope Rothaug Thomas Smith Pam Thier Ron and Linda Wass Lisa J. Pollak Dr. John P. Rudolph Al Smith Dr. Pauline Thomas and mr. Fredric bell mr. and mrs. E. Wayne Weeks, Jr. mr. Nick Polombo Dr. Frederick H. Russell mary Smith Thomas Thompson Peter Wester Jill Porter Andrew and Wendy Sanford Richard and Christine Smith margaret Thompson mary Claire White C C C Drs. Adam and monica Potkay mr. and mrs. Randy Santoro Richard and monica Smith Lise Thompson Suzanne Wilder C David and Joan Powell ms. Leslie Jones Sauer and mr. Gill Smith David Snope Craig Thompson Joseph and Phoebe Wiley C Joseph and Evelyn Prather Floyd Saums James and Judith Snow mr. and mrs. R. Donald Thomson Edith and Thomas Williams C C Frances L. Preston Christine Savage Aimee and James Sousa Joan Thuebel Norman and Vanessa Wills Colleen and Allen Prince William Purcell and Elaine Schaeffler Dr. Peter Speth and mrs. Helge Speth James and barbara Tiesi mr. Jeffrey b. Wills, Jr. C Dr. and mrs. Robert Rader Albert Schagen Roger and Joyce Spingarn Anne Troop ms. Ro Wilson C James Ragno Darvin Schild marie and Francis St. John Joan Luckhardt and bob Tucker Glenn and Dawn Witherspoon C beverly Railsback Terry Schmidt mr. Scott D. Stanford Nancy Tweed Joanne Wong C Paul and June Ramondetta betsy Schnorr michael Stanton Dr. Thomas Uhlman and mrs. Elizabeth Uhlman Peggy Wong C Joann S. Ramos Eric Schnorr Austin C. Starkey, Jr. Anne and mark Van Den bergh Patrick and Leslie Wood C Jessica Ray Judith Schoenherr Peter and Senedu Steidinger A. James and Jane Van Haasteren brann and Ellen Wry C C Ryan Rebozo Sadie Schoss mary E. Steinberg mr. Jeffrey D. Vernam Elaine and Stanley Yablonski C C C Lisanne L. Renner and Adam S. Grace Susan Schwirck Vera C. Stek John and Arianna Vig John and Nancy Yingling Renee Resky Sara Scully mr. Robert E. Stewart ms. Nicole Voigt Christine Yovnello R. David Reynolds Sandra Sebastian mr. Steven Stroh David Volk Glenda S. Yu Jean L. Rich John Sharkey Robert and Deborah Sussna Ruth Walker Donald Zimmerman, D.D.S. Anita and Keith Richmond Jeffrey W. Sheeder Russell and Lois Swanson Donald and Patricia Walker Gary Zockoll C C Anthony and Glorianne Robbi Jackson and Rebecca Shepard mr. and mrs. bill Sweeney William and Andrea Wallace Patricia Zucca C Jan Robbins Anne b. Shumadine Nancy Swift ms. Joan F. Walsh mr. and mrs. Sonya Zuccarelli C Elizabeth Roedell ms. Victoria Shurtleff mark Szutarski The James m. Walton, Jr. Family

NEW JERSEY bats DEVASTATED BY WHITE-NOSE DISEASE

The Indiana bat is New Jersey’s only federally endangered bat. But due to the devastating white-nose disease, four other bat species are struggling for survival and are recommended for inclusion on the state's endangered species list. Ten years ago, white-nose appeared in New Jersey’s bat populations. The disease is caused by a European fungus that found its way into winter hibernation caves. The disease attacks bats’ delicate wing membranes and harms their ability to fly and feed. It also disrupts their deep hibernation sleep, waking them up. They then fly outside in winter cold, depleting their energy reserves and risk starving or freezing to death. The state’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program estimates that 90 percent of New Jersey’s pre-white nose population of bats was wiped out. The state completed a status review of mammals and recommended that the little brown bat, eastern small-footed Myotis, tri-colored bat and Northern Myotis be added to the endangered list. An additional four bat species – big brown bat, hoary bat, red bat, and silver-haired bat – were recommended as “Species of Special Concern.” Adding those eight would mean that all of New Jersey’s nine bat species – six year-round and three migratory – would be considered endangered or special concern. The good news is that survival rates of bats may slowly be returning to normal levels, possibly because the offspring of bats that didn’t succumb to white-nose may have an inherited immunity. However, because bats give birth to only one “pup” per year, it will take decades for populations to rebound – if the positive trends continue. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Fish U.S. by Photo 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:10 PM Page 14

14 2016 Annual Report

SHEDDING LIGHT ON MYSTERIOUS moths

Long after most people are asleep, Blaine Rothauser and his fellow citizen scientists watch a brightly lit screen at the Franklin Parker Preserve. No, it’s not movie night. They’re looking for moths found in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. Moths are attracted by light and will land on the illuminated screen. Over the past four years, Rothauser and fellow moth experts, Bernie Knaupp and Ann Marie Woods, have spent hundreds of hours conducting moth surveys with the goal of filling a glaring information gap. “Right now there are no threatened and endangered moth species,” explained Rothauser, a conservation biologist with GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. This is because not enough is known about them to tell if populations are stable, increasing or declining. “It’s hard to get a handle on the population dynamics because so few people are doing

these types of surveys with moths,” he said. Rothauser Blaine So far, the moth project at Franklin Parker Preserve has yielded lots of data. Photo by by Photo “We have a list of over 600 species that we’ve found just in the preserve!,” said Rothauser. “Nothing screams diversity like these moth species, many of which are unique to the Cecropia Moth Pine Barrens.” One positive sign, said Rothauser, is that many “obligate” Pine Barrens species – that is, those that can’t live anywhere else – seem to be thriving. They include the pine-devil, violet dart moth, pine underwing, jack pine tube moth, imperial moth short leaf pine cone borer, northern pine sphinx, and the beautifully marked major sallow. Some “extreme specialists” of the Pine Barrens – moths that rely on a single, specific food source - have been documented at the preserve. Those include the crimson sallow, gray banded zale, northern pine looper, and fringed dart. Rothauser and his team also found many “absolutely beautiful moths” that are not exclusively associated with the Pine Barrens but always a treat to see. They include the pink prominent, striped oakworm moth, rosy maple moth, Virginia creeper sphinx, Promethea, and the large and spectacular Polyphemus moth.

Blaine Rothauser Blaine “When you have a large sample size and you’re looking at all species, you can get a picture of the ecological health of the place you’re surveying,” Rothauser said. And in the case

Photo by by Photo of the Franklin Parker Preserve, the ecological health looks great.

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INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Frank W. Henrikson Arthur C. Thomas Lillie Debevoise Jeanne Eisele FOR 10 OR MORE YEARS ms. Jean E. Houvener Lillian and Stiles Thomas Jeffrey bradley Doris F. Forshner (UP TO $99) Ann L. Hovan Jeanne Toal michele S. byers Daniel L. Jassby Arthur Tuchfeld Catherine A. m. Cavanaugh Clem Fiori Richard Armstrong Robert Kanner Annette Tyler Edward Cissel Daniel and margery Fiori Edward and Lillian babson Karen D. Kelleher Lynn R. Uhrig Debevoise Calello Family mr. and mrs. Fred berghahn Richard E. Kent Raymond S. Veghte Sally C. Greenwood Wilma Frey Doris bergquist Joseph and mary Kerestes marie Walker Risa Greiss and Jeannette Howard Adam brandt Dennis bertland b. melvin Kiernan mr. and mrs. Charles W. Walker Ellen Nalle Hass Lawrence bilder Emily Kingsbury Daniel Wall Ann b. Hastings Glenn Gabai Tom and Joanne bintinger mr. and mrs. Gary Krakauer mac and Wendy Walsh Janet Johnson bethanne mowery Ruth blaser Jeffrey m. Laderman barbara R. Weeks Catherine Keim martin and Anne mozer bloomenthal marlene Larson Rosanne m. Weiss mr. & mrs. W. Thomas margetts, III Cynthia Kellogg JoAnn bowman Philip and Charlotte Lo buono miriam Wolin madeline S. Pitney Joseph and Evelyn Prather ms. Kitty branton Claire mandeville Henry F. Wood, Jr. Alyson Shumeyko Robert and Valerie brewster bill marshall Robert A. and Elsa b. Zelley Victoria Shurtleff Peter and Cynthia Kellogg Stuart and Helen brunet Sarah and Robert mcClanahan Jeffrey A. Zonenshine and marcia minuskin mr. b. michael Pisani mr. and mrs. A. Dean burling Patrice J. mcCoy Herbert “bert” Hannah Fred and Laura Rhodes Fred J. buschmann Daryl E. mecklem and Kathleen A. Howard Douglas Vitale Robert and Carol butera margaret W. merklin William Lynch Sandra and Stanley Christman Danya miller ESTATES Hildegarde and Helmuth Hanssler Daniel Lynch Raymond F. Clark ms. Phyllis moore Dr. Ingeborg D. bossert mr. michael D. Conca and ms. Cheryl D. Sperber Philip and barbara moss Estate of Althea S. Thornton maureen Ogden Edward Coxey mr. and ms. John T. Newell Estate of barbara Galli Frederick and Judy Jessel mr. b. michael Pisani Jill Devlin mr. and mrs. michael Oien Estate of Elizabeth H. Potter Janet C. Jessel Glenn Diegnan ms. mary Elizabeth Parkhurst Estate of Frank Eggert betsy Schnorr Carolyn and Nelson Dittmar Emmett m. Partain, III Estate of Patricia m. Savage Noel V. Siegert Eric Schnorr James and marie Donnelly mr. Stephen J. Paschik Estate of Ruth S. Gleason Thomas and Liz Kelsey ms. Jeanne R. Eisele Estelle Perry Laura Szwak mr. and mrs. Evald R. Eskilson Henry Pfeiffer mark O. Smith Sierra Club-NJ Chapter ms. madeline A. Etzold Sandra J. Polk Frederick and Susan Herrmann Elisabeth Evans William and Noreen Postman IN MEMORY OF John Kohler Kathleen Ward Gail Ewin Drs. Adam and monica Potkay Jillian Parry Kate booth Rita S. Fand Joseph Prati Stanley blumenkrant Cheryl Smith Terry Peter and Shaness Farrell Debra Price Sheree and Fred bennett barbara Tkach Cary bacon Winslow Deborah and Franklin Ferrara James A. Quinn barbara and Joel bickell William and Donna Fischer ms. Gerda E. Reimer C. Austin buck Stephen and Lillian Fogle Jens Riedel mr. and mrs. William C. blanchard Clients of Ronald berlin Architect, PC: Douglas and barbara Ford Debra Riegert michele S. byers James baxter, Steve Weiss and martha ms. Doris F. Forshner Paul Riley Elaine Hanington IN HONOR OF Himmelfarb, Lance and Pat mervine, Peter and Wayne and mary Frey mr. and mrs. James L. Rosenthal Gates and mary Ellen Hawn Linda Sciarra, Patrick bernuth and michelle marlene Fuller William D. Rummler basil and Rilda Hone Candy Ashmun mcKenna, Alastair binnie and Zoe brookes, Jon Anne L. Gaus ms. Elizabeth Sands Peter and Cynthia Kellogg barbara belcher and Jenny Crumiller, michael and betsy Dutka, Tom and Elizabeth Gibbons Rozalyn Sherman mr. and mrs. Kenneth H. Klipstein, II Paul and Vanessa Haluska, Kian Esteghamat and Anthony and beverly Ann Glockler Drs. Donald and Lynn Siebert Anne b. Shumadine Emile DeVito Amy Craft, Ethan Kapstein and benedicte Callan, Stewart and Rita Golding mrs. michael L. Smith Adam brandt Dan Fuller and Celina morgan-Standard, Emily Glen Green Allan D. Smith and Gail L. Smith Richardson buist Sierra Club-NJ Chapter mackie, Ellen Gilbert and Frank Castellana, marietta Guertler Warren Sobelsohn Jean buist Earle Chiara Napp mr. and mrs. Les Guile Anne and John Standley beryl Doyle Ronald berlin Robert and marlene Haiken Joan m. Stein Fred Cochran Lois K. Stewart bette and Lonnie Hanauer ms. Lois K. Stewart Susan Smith bryan and Kay Hannigan Juris and Nancy Svarcbergs Lynn Harrington Gerard A. Sweeney Don’t see your name? Let us know! Those who donated in 2017 will be included in next year’s annual report, so stay tuned! Share your thoughts and questions with Kathleen Ward, Director of Development and Communications, at [email protected] 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 16

16 2016 Annual Report

YOUR LAND, YOUR WATER, YOUR FOOD, CAmPAIGN For CONSERVATION YOUR FUTURE

For 57 years, New Jersey Conservation Foundation has been dedicated to strategically and steadfastly conserving New Jersey's special places. But there is

much more to do! That's why we launched the Campaign for Conservation: Your Land, Your Water, Your Food, Your Future in November 2015 to secure $30

million in private and public funds to preserve key properties throughout New Jersey. We have raised $9,948,034 in private funds from 261 donors and

organizations and over $20 million in public funds. Through the Campaign, donors saved 13 signature properties across New Jersey. Thank you!

The 1772 Foundation, Inc. Woodrow Carsky-Wilson mr. K. Philip Dresdner barbara Greer barbara Johnson Acorn Foundation mrs. Catherine A. m. Cavanaugh ms. Katherine V. Dresdner, Esq. John m Gregg betty W. Johnson Kate Adams and Duke Wiser Dr. Theodore Chase and mrs. Victory Chase Robert and Sue Dupre James* and barbara Griffin mr. and mrs. Joseph Z. Duke James Andrews and Amy Pearlmutter Christian Family Dawn Durain mr. Neil Grossman and Nancy Wolff mr. maitland Jones and ms. Susan Hockaday Anonymous Donor Jack and Ronnie Cimprich Carrie and Francis Dyckman John and Joan Hall Gery Juleff Penelope Ayers melanie Clarke Landis and Peter Eaton Oliver Hamill and Kate Webb Caroline Katmann Edward and Cynthia babbott William and Wendy Clarke Lynn and Tom Ebeling Alex and Laura Hanson mr. and mrs. Stanley N. Katz Catherine bacon and Paul Winslow Laurie Cleveland Joanne Elliott Harbourton Foundation Steve Kazakoff Laura bartels barbara Coe Laurie Emde Dr. Daniel A. Harris and ms. Jane buttars mr. and mrs. Peter Kellogg Dr. William baumbach mr. and mrs. Christopher Cole marylou Ferrara mr. and mrs. Robert H. Harris Ryan Kennedy mary and Dick benioff Conservation Resources, Inc. Clem and Joanna Fiori mr. and mrs. Thomas b. Harvey, Jr. Robert W. Kent* June bente Joyce Copleman Jan and Ron Flaugher Gates and mary Ellen Hawn Nan and Robert Keohane Chris and James besanceney Lorraine Cosumano ms. Alison J. Flemer mrs. Nora E. J. Hayes michael W. Klein Peter and Helena bienstock Patty Cronheim Randolph Floyd H. James and Carol Herring Carol m. Kleis and Rex A. Parker mr. and mrs. John C. biggins Tracy Cruise Peter and Jennifer Fontaine Alan m. Hershey mr. and mrs. Kenneth H. Klipstein, II mary beth boland CTW Foundation, Inc. Gregg and Jean Frankel Joseph H. Highlands The Koven Foundation Andrea m. bonette William and Andrea D'Angelo mr. Robert Fuller Lincoln and Sarah Hollister Richard Kraeuter mary Owen borden memorial Foundation michael Dawson and Robert Tomaselli Frederick and Gael W. Gardner betsy Hoover Kevin and Leslie Kuchinski bristol-myers Squibb Company Kate and Steve Gates and Julie Fox Hopewell Valley Citizen's Group Anton and Alison Lahnston C. Austin* and marguerite buck barbara R. Delafield Anne and bill Gates The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey mr. and mrs. Samuel W. Lambert, III Kevin burkman John Delaney Alexandra Gerry Ray and Jane Hostetter ms. Janet K. Laughlin michele S. byers Katharine Denby Sophie and Curtis Glovier Charlie and Lucia Huebner Lawrence Township Conservation Roger byrom Douglas Dixon mr. Chad Goerner Thomas and Gloria Huey Foundation, Inc. bradley m. Campbell and Katherine Hackl Dr. Rosina b. and mr. Richard Dixon Ron and Nancy Goldfuss John and Carol Jackson mary Ann and John Leahy mr. Tim Carden and ms. Amy Rosen Georgette Dorsky meg and Tom Gorrie Dinesh and Alexandra Jain The Leavens Foundation, Inc. Lisa Carril Anna Drago Charles and Laurel Gould Erica L. Johanson and James V. Powers ms. Elizabeth Lempert and mr. Kenneth Norman Ph tb Bl iR th 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 17

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Virginia and Clark Lennon Jane miller Elwood and Jacqueline Phares Scott Schaub Kyle L. Van Arsdale Harvey Lester mr. and mrs. bradford mills Virginia and Robert Pierson brian Schmult and barbara Goun Victoria Foundation, Inc. Richard Levandowski Joan and Sandy millspaugh Ralph and Jane Porpora Lorraine Shiarappa Jeanne Walden Gordon and Katja Lewis ms. Alison E. mitchell and mr. Chris Keep Kathryn A. and James m. Porter Grace Sinden mr. and mrs. John D. Wallace Carol Lipson Avril moore Leslie Potter The John ben Snow memorial Trust Kathleen Ward Andrew and Anya Littauer Liza morehouse Frances L. Preston Julia Snyder William C. Ward, Jr. Cate and James Litvack mr. and mrs. Gary mount Hilary Prouty mr. Richard Speedy John Watson Andrew and Karin Lloyd Holly muller Ralph and Laura Pugliese Robert and Lisa Stockman barbara and James Webb Losam Fund Drs. Lauri and John mulvey mr. martin J. Rapp Hunt and margaret Stockwell Fred and Elizabeth Weber Andrew and Cynthia Love Elise W. murray Joan and Robert Rechnitz Jacqueline Strigl Rachel Webster Andy Dobson and Annarie Lyles music Together, LLC L. Keith and Lisa Reed Russell and Lois Swanson Caron Wendell Lisa and marty macCollum Prof. Jim myers Amy and Jay Regan Richard and Laura Szwak Peter Wester Peter macholdt and Kathy Fedorko Suzanne Nash The Reynolds Family Fund mr. and mrs. Pete Taft Ginny, Todd, & Emily Whitaker Wendy mager and Eric monberg Ned and Greenie Neuburg Karen A. Richards Taft Communications Clarissa and Alan Willemsen Roger martindell Lee and Sydney Neuwirth River branch Foundation Alexandra Tatnall Harry and Joannah Wilmerding Helen & William mazer Foundation mr. and ms. John T. Newell Robert Wood Johnson 1962 Charitable Trust becky Taylor Louise and Cliff Wilson David H. mcAlpin, Jr. beth Nichols mr. and mrs. William S. Roebling Ted and Penny Thomas Susan Wilson Frank and martha mcDougald The Hon. maureen Ogden mr. William H. Rolls Elizabeth Thompson The Winslow Foundation Jennifer and John mcGahren Thomas Ogren Greg and Carol Romano Lise Thompson bob and barbara Wolfe Elizabeth mcGrail Judy and Oye Olukotun barbara Rose James and barbara Tiesi William and Elizabeth Wolfe Charlotte and George mcLaughlin Open Space Institute bill Carmean and Nancy Ross Kathryn Trenner Glenda S. Yu James and Patricia mcPherson Scot D. Pannepacker and Heidi S. Wilenius Samantha Rothman and John Hankin mr. and mrs. Adrian D. Trevisan mr. Jerome Zeldis and mrs. Sharon Stamn Scott and Hella mcVay Tari Pantaleo Teresa Sanchez-Lazet James and Susan Trowbridge William Zick Herman melton michael Paul Vanessa Sandom and Carl Seiden mr. and mrs. Eric Turnquist Ali and Waldburg Zomorodi Susan michniewski The William Penn Foundation Jamie and John Sapoch Dr. Lynda Gail Tussey Sally and David mikkelsen Tim and Sandra Perkins Daniel and Lori Saporito Adrienne Tymiak and David Ackerman *Denotes deceased member

HELPING AMERICAN kestrels THRIVE

North America’s smallest falcon, the American kestrel (Falco sparverius) hunts for insects, mice and other small prey in open fields. Once common in New Jersey, kestrel populations have declined in recent years and are considered a threatened species in the state. In the Wickecheoke Creek region of western Hunterdon County, where New Jersey Conservation Foundation has preserved over 4,000 acres of open space and farmland, volunteer Kathy Klink is dedicated to helping kestrels rebound. In the spring and summer, Kathy monitors 14 kestrel nesting boxes. This year, nesting pairs occupied 10 of the boxes, hatching 33 chicks. “My goal is to get 100 percent occupancy,” says Kathy, who seeks new locations for boxes that don’t attract kestrel pairs. “Overall, the kestrels are doing very well in this area. We’re lucky here – we have a lot of preserved farmland and open space that’s never going to be developed.” The kestrel boxes are equipped with predator guards to keep raccoons, snakes and other animals from getting to the eggs and chicks. The state Division of Fish & Wildlife visits the nesting boxes to weigh, measure and band adults and chicks, maintaining the data to track their movements in the future. Photo by Blaine Rothauser Blaine by Photo 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 18

18 2016 Annual Report GAINING GROUND

MORE THAN 3,200 ACRES PRESERVED THROUGHOUT THE S 2016

n include the New Jersey Green Acres Program, The William a mosaic of agricultural lands and marshes within a wide bURLINGTON COUNTY Penn Foundation, Open Space Institute and philanthropists bend of the Cohansey River. It is near several other CIPRIANI Joan and Robert Rechnitz. preserved farms that we and our partners preserved, 0.5 acres, Woodland Township and close to the state’s Cohansey River Wildlife manage- ment Area. Located in the village of Chatsworth, adjacent to the n CAmDEN COUNTY Franklin Parker Preserve, this property was donated as part of an estate. In keeping with the original intent of WILLIS GATEWAY PARK 1 & 2 75 acres, Hopewell Township the donors, in 2016 the property was sold to a private 8 acres, City of Camden owner, with the proceeds used for land preservation NJ Conservation assisted in the preservation of this farm, and stewardship. These two properties along Admiral Wilson boulevard were which contains excellent agricultural land and wildlife habitat transferred to the Camden County municipal Utilities Authority near the Cohansey River. Like the Watson farm, it is located (CCmUA) from the Delaware River Port Authority to become ZEMEL PEMBERTON in the township’s Dutch Neck neighborhood, a landscape 811 acres, Pemberton Township part of Gateway Park along the Cooper River. Additional dominated by farms and marshland. parcels in Gateway Park are pending preservation. The soon- NJ Conservation’s new preserve – to be dedicated in the fall to-be 25-acre park will be jointly managed by NJ Conservation of 2017 – is surrounded by State Forest. It and CCmUA, offering outdoor recreation, environmental SUNSET LAKE 100 123 acres, Upper Deerfield Township includes pitch pine uplands, nearly two miles of the pristine education, river access, wildlife habitat and scenic enjoyment. mount misery brook, and wetlands that served as an impor- This property was proposed for a 374-home residential tant fresh water resource for the earliest Pine barrens inhab- development. Upper Deerfield Township preserved the itants. The property was purchased from the Zemel family n CUmbERLAND COUNTY land in partnership with Cumberland County, New Jersey with the help of several partners, including the New Jersey Green Acres Program, Natural Lands, Open Space Institute, Green Acres Program, The William Penn Foundation, Open CASPER Frank H. Stewart Trust, and The Geraldine R. Dodge Space Institute, Rancocas Conservancy, John ben Snow 29 acres, Stow Creek Township Foundation. memorial Trust and philanthropists Joan and Robert Rechnitz. We assisted in the preservation of the Casper Family Farm. The farm is composed of 100 percent prime soils, the highest n ZEMEL WOODLAND classification for agricultural soil quality, and is near other GLOUCESTER COUNTY 1,101 acres, Woodland Township preserved properties. This purchase expanded the Franklin Parker Preserve to MACCARONE 126 acres, Woolwich Township 11,379 acres – nearly 18 square miles – increasing recreation WATSON 51 acres, Hopewell Township opportunities while protecting the preserve’s water resources We assisted the State Agriculture Development Committee and wildlife habitat. We purchased the land from the Zemel We assisted in the preservation of this farm in the and Woolwich Township with the preservation of this family, which had owned it since the 1950s. Funding partners township’s Dutch Neck neighborhood, which includes vegetable farm along the tidal Oldmans Creek. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 19

2016 Annual Report 19

E STATE

n HUNTERDON COUNTY

HILL & DALE 4 100 acres (Fee & Easement), Tewksbury Township The Hill & Dale Preserve was expanded to nearly 300 acres in late December with the purchase of 100 acres of gently rolling farmland. Earlier in the year, an easement was placed on 90 acres of the land to permanently restrict it to agriculture. Funding for the purchase was provided by River branch Foundation, Hunterdon County, Victoria Foundation, Tewksbury Land Trust, The 1772 Foundation and numerous private donors. The ease- ment was acquired with funding from Hunterdon County, the State Agriculture Development Committee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

JOHNSON 9 acres, Delaware Township Since 2000, the Johnson family of Sergeantsville has preserved more than 80 acres near the Wickecheoke Creek, including land next to the Green Sergeant’s Covered bridge, a local landmark and New Jersey’s last remaining original covered bridge. In early 2016, family matriarch Rosa Johnson preserved 9 additional acres, connecting two previously preserved properties to allow a trail connection to the covered bridge. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 20

20 2016 Annual Report

2016 GAINING GROUND continued

ROSEMONT FOUNDATION n RAY 12 acres, Delaware Township SALEm COUNTY 63 acres, Alloway Township

This property has a tributary of the Lockatong Creek and CHARD NJ Conservation helped preserve this family-owned horse and sweeping views of the scenic Rosemont Valley. It will be used 24 acres, Alloway Township goat farm, a priority target farm in Alloway Township’s for hiking, nature observation and other passive recreation. Farmland Preser vation Plan. Partners included Alloway brown Swiss dairy cows are known for their rugged constitu- The Rosemont Foundation acquired it in 2011 to ensure its Township, Salem County, the State Agriculture Development tion and rich milk, which is perfect for cheese making. This eventual preservation. NJ Conservation purchased it with Committee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural family-run farm raises brown Swiss breeding stock, used to funding from Hunterdon County and Delaware Township, Resources Conservation Service. supply cows to dairy farms all over the world. NJ Conservation with assistance from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority. partnered with the State Agriculture Development Committee, the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources ROBBINS 72 acres, Pilesgrove Township n Conservation Service, Salem County and Alloway Township mERCER COUNTY to preserve the farm. This farm has been in the same family for 80 years and has gently rolling fields, high-quality soils and a tributary PRINCETON LAND DEVELOPMENT DOAK of the Salem River. It is adjacent to another preserved farm 20 acres, Princeton 69 acres, Alloway Township and is located in a township where over 5,000 acres of This property is adjacent to the previously-preserved Klepper When a local farmer borrowed money several years ago to farmland has been preserved. NJ Conservation assisted with property and expands the environmentally sensitive Princeton add 69 acres to his farm, it was both an opportunity and a the preservation of the farm with our partners: Pilesgrove Ridge Preserve. The land was originally part of an approved financial strain. Selling the development rights helped the Township, Salem County, the State Agriculture Development subdivision, but NJ Conservation assisted the town with farmer reduce his debt and keep his farm. The farm was Committee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural the purchase. The property consists of forest, mature trees, preserved by NJ Conservation using funds from the State Resources Conservation Service. boulder fields and sensitive wetlands. It is near the Ricciardi Agriculture Development Committee and grant funds from property, preserved in 2011. the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources TIMCHAL Conservation Service. 75 acres, Pilesgrove Township Located on gently rolling terrain, this farm grows corn, wheat, n OCEAN COUNTY HARRIS soybeans and hay. One hundred percent of its soils are 118 acres, Quinton Township classified as “prime” and “statewide importance,”the top JCP&L A unique public-private partnership preserved nearly 100 quality for growing a variety of crops. The farm is crossed by 72 acres, Lacey Township acres of farmland at mill Hollow Farms, plus a forested riparian the Indian Run, a tributary of Oldmans Creek - a river system This long, narrow property –the former rail bed of the defunct buffer of about 18 acres. The farm is located near Keasbey’s recognized as a stronghold for federally protected bog turtles Tuckerton Railroad – bisects the 4,000-acre Candace mcKee Creek, which runs into the Salem River and the mannington and endangered freshwater mussel species. beyond the Ashmun Preserve in the Pine barrens. by acquiring a meadows tidal complex, whose marshes and wetlands are agricultural fields are woodlands that protect the stream and permanent open space easement on the property, access to nationally significant habitats for bald eagle, numerous water- provide habitat for wildlife. We helped preserve the farm in the Preserve can now be controlled to prevent illegal dumping fowl and migratory birds. NJ Conservation partnered with the partnership with the State Agriculture Development and off-road vehicle use. JCP&L donated the easement as part State Agriculture Development Committee, Open Space Com mittee, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural of a Natural Resource Damages settlement. Institute and The William Penn Foundation. Resources Conservation Service and Pilesgrove Township. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 21

2016 Annual Report 21

n SOmERSET COUNTY

HIGGINS 2 5 acres, Hillsborough Township NJ Conservation assisted Somerset County and Hillsborough Township in preserving this land in the Sourland mountains, which will become part of a new preserve of over 1,000 acres.

LANA LOBELL NORTH & SOUTH 161 acres, Bedminster Township The Lana Lobell horse farm has been a local landmark since its days as a breeder of champion harness racehorses. The property – which includes a mile of frontage along the Lamington River – was approved in 2007 for a subdivision of nine estate homes. The land was preserved by a partnership that included New Jersey Conservation Foundation, bedminster Township, Somerset County, the U.S. Department

of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Jage Chris by Photo the State Agriculture Development Committee. The 811-acre Zemel property in Pemberton Township includes these beautiful freshwater wetlands, believed to be a source of drinking water for the area's earliest inhabitants.

Alloway Township NJDEP Green Acres Program bedminster Township NJDEP Office of Natural Resource Damages Camden County municipal Utilities Authority Pilesgrove Township 2016 (CCmUA) Princeton Cumberland County Salem County PUBLIC FUNDING Delaware Township Somerset County East Amwell Township State Agriculture Development Committee PARTNERS Hopewell Township (Cumberland County) Upper Deerfield Township Hunterdon County USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service mercer County Woolwich Township NJ Water Supply Authority 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 22

22 2016 Annual Report POLICY HIGHLIGHTS

POLICY TEAM PRIORITIES – WINS AND LOSSES 2016

WINS FEDERAL ENERGY bILL GARDEN STATE EXPANSION PROJECT New Jersey Conservation worked with national partners to The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the New stop a federal energy bill that included harmful provisions Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Fish for public lands management and measures that would & Wildlife Service allowed trees to be cleared on the site of the proposed Garden State Expansion Project in Chesterfield, OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION have made it faster and easier for gas pipelines and other energy infrastructure to cross preserved land and other despite evidence of nesting birds identified by NJ The best conservation news of the year was the passage environmentally sensitive areas. Sections of that bill have Conservation Foundation. Project approvals are under appeal. of legislation allocating state funding for preserving parks, natural areas, farmland and historic sites after two years of been re-proposed this year, so the fight isn’t over yet! being mired in dispute. In November 2014, voters over- whelmingly approved a constitutional amendment perma- nently dedicating a portion of New Jersey’s corporate ONGOING ISSUES business tax revenues to land preservation. But the Legislature and the Governor still needed to act. In June 2016, after two LOSSES vetoes by Governor Christie, a compromise was reached – and funding is now flowing to preservation projects. FORESTRY ON PUbLIC LANDS We advocated for improvements to the state’s forestry plan at the Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area. We NATURAL RESOURCE DAmAGES SOUTH JERSEY GAS PIPELINE advocated for the protection of mature interior forest habi- Another win in 2016 was the Legislature’s passage of a The Pinelands Commission approved the South Jersey Gas tats, as well as other public values including water quality ballot question to create a “lockbox” to ensure that money Pipeline despite strong evidence that it is not consistent and supply, recreation and scenic resources. In response to received by the state in compensation for environmental with the Pinelands Compre hensive Master Plan. The decision widespread concern, the state agreed to revise the plan, damages could not be diverted for other purposes. The has been appealed by the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. but it still does not consider the larger context and threats legislation was prompted by cases like the $225 million to our public forests. We are urging the state to undertake ExxonMobil settlement, of which only $50 million was a broader public planning process and develop a compre- targeted to the cleanup of the Passaic River. The rest went OFF-ROAD VEHICLE PLANNING hensive approach to stewarding and protecting New Jersey’s into the state’s general fund. Voters will have the opportunity public forestlands. New Jersey continues to face challenges in protecting natural this November to vote for a constitutional amendment that would ensure that future natural resources resources on public lands, as evidenced by the tremendous damages settlements are allocated toward restoring and damage to precious Pine Barrens habitats from illegal off- SIX FLAGS SOLAR PLAN protecting natural resources and paying the costs of pursuing road vehicle use. Unfortunately, in 2016 the state scrapped NJ Conservation and partners continued legal challenges the settlements. a plan to control off-road vehicle use in Wharton State Forest. to Great Adventure's plans to remove nearly 70 acres of 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 23

forest to build a solar facility. Legal action became necessary when efforts to convince the company to locate the facility over an existing parking lot or other open area –rather than removing the forest – were unsuccessful.

HIGHLANDS DEP RULE ROLLbACK: SEPTIC SYSTEm DENSITY STANDARDS In May 2016, the NJDEP proposed amending the New Jersey Highlands Act Rules – Septic System Density Standards to permit six times as much residential development on large, mostly forested parcels in the Highlands Preservation Area. Alison Mitchell, Director of Policy for NJ Conservation Foundation, joins Congressman Pallone, Senator Booker, Senator Menendez The proposed rule would permit increased impervious cover, and partner groups in a call to uphold hard-won environmental protections in Washington. leading to less groundwater replenishment, dry streams in droughts, increased flooding, reduced water quality and impacts on biodiversity. The NJ Senate and Assembly STAFF held hearings on the proposal, and in June 2017, passed Concurrent Resolution SCR 148/ACR 192 that “determines Michele S. Byers, Executive Director Maria Hauser, Personnel Manager / Francis Rapa, Regional Manager, Executive Assistant Delaware Bay Watershed that DEP’s proposal to amend septic system density Erica Arlès, Administrative Assistant, standards … is inconsistent with legislative intent.” The vote Land Acquisition & Stewardship Steven Jack, Associate Land Steward Karen Richards, CPA, Director of Finance & Administration triggered 30 days during which the DEP must amend Alix Bacon, Regional Manager, Western Piedmont Russell Juelg, Senior Land Steward Heidi Marie Roldan, Corporate & Foundation or withdraw the rule. Final action awaits the fall 2017 Mark Barrick, Information Technology / William Lynch, Assistant Director, Eduation Relations Manager legislative session. Office Manager Programs & Communications Greg Romano, Assistant Director & Tim Brill, Central Jersey Project Manager Lisa MacCollum, Assistant Director of Director of Statewide Land Acquisition Land Acquisition Beth Davisson, Project Manager, Gerard Sauchelli, Associate Land Steward Black River Greenway Kelly Martin, Development Associate PENNEAST PIPELINE PROPOSAL Susan Schmidt, Administrative Assistant / Justin Dennis, Camden Land Steward Alison Mitchell, Director of Policy The proposed PennEast pipeline is significantly delayed. The Receptionist Emile DeVito, Ph.D, Manager of Science Stephanie Monahan, Pine Barrens Land Steward, South Jersey Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has yet to give final & Stewardship Regional Manager Bill Scullion, Laura Szwak, Director of Outreach & Education approval, and the NJ Department of Environmental Wilma Frey, Senior Policy Manager Timothy Morris, Director of Stewardship Protection and the Delaware River Basin Commission have Ingrid Vandegaer, Manager, Highlands Region Jane Gardner, Campaign Project Assistant Marie Newell, Project Coordinator, Acquisition not begun their reviews. The project faces stiff opposition Kathleen Ward, Director of Development Tom Gilbert, Campaign Director – Tanya Nolte, GIS Manager & Communications in New Jersey. Energy, Climate & Natural Resources Sandy Stuart Perry, Staff Writer Allison Williams, Easement Steward Olivia Glenn, South Jersey Regional Manager Lauren Ramos, Development & Amy Hansen, Policy Analyst Outreach Coordinator 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 24

24 2016 Annual Report GRANT AWARDS

FRANKLIN PARKER CONSERVATION EXCELLENCE GRANTS 2016

The Franklin Parker Conservation Excellence Grants provide Land Preserve. The funding in 2016 will establish a shrub layer organization then hired the presenter (Tama matsuoka) to funding for nonprofit conservation organizations working in New in these re-forested areas. help create a “pocket meadow” within one of its highly visible preserved properties. Jersey. The grants are designed to enhance proficiency in land FRIENDS OF bLACK RIVER RUN $5,000 conservation, develop long-term viable programs, and support Enhancing Habitat and Trails in Black Run Preserve HUNTERDON LAND TRUST $2,225 The Friends of black Run Preserve, located in Evesham Improving Public Access at Dvoor Farm creative, innovative projects that can serve as models for other Township 14 miles from Philadelphia, will transform a sand The Land Trust will develop a trail with directional and communities and projects. Since its inception in 1989, the Franklin road into a trail and detention basins into natural habitat by interpretive signage that will improve public access and knowl- planting native species. The Friends, established in 2012, will edge about the natural and cultural resources of Dvoor Farm Parker Conservation Excellence Grants Program, previously admin- engage middle school students to help with the planting. in partnership with Raritan Township. istered by Conservation Resources Inc., has awarded more than ISLES, INC. $1,000 $1,676,746 for 428 nonprofit conservation projects throughout FRIENDS OF HOPEWELL VALLEY OPEN SPACE $2,000 Educating the Public about Deer Management Cleaning & Greening Vacant Lots and Parks in Trenton the Garden State. Funding for the grants is provided by Victoria The Friends will develop a 15-minute film (“The Deer Stand”) With a 2015 Franklin Parker grant, Isles cleaned up four permanently preserved parks and 150 vacant lots in Trenton’s Foundation and Mary Reinhart Stackhouse Foundation. as well as a short course titled “Conservation Deer Hunting” to educate the public and hunters about deer impacts and the West Ward, with labor supplied by neighborhood volunteers. environmental importance of managing deer. In 2016, Isles intends to revisit some of the lots to add features, bOYS & GIRLS CLUb OF VINELAND $5,000 such as plantings, and other amenities to encourage keeping the areas free of litter. Creating a Pizza Garden! FRIENDS OF PRINCETON OPEN SPACE $1,000 The project will help underserved youth learn not only about Restoring Native Plant Communities and Forest mUSCONETCONG WATERSHED ASSOCIATION beautifying a lot next to their clubhouse by developing a Friends of Princeton Open Space will continue their work to pro- AND NORTH JERSEY RESOURCE CONSERVATION community garden, but also about soil, fertilizers, starting tect and promote the restoration and distribution of native plant & DEVELOPmENT $1,000 seeds, composting, food preparation and healthy eating. communities in their mountain Lakes Preserve. Interns will mon- Collaborating to Promote Organizational Health itor the deer exclosure areas to ensure only native growth occurs. The two organizations have developed an Affiliation Agreement CONSERVE WILDLIFE FOUNDATION OF NJ $4,000 that defines how they will collaborate. The groups are not Learning Even More about NJ Bats GREAT SWAmP WATERSHED ASSOCIATION merging; they are retaining their own identity but are collab- With the help of a 2015 Franklin Parker grant, Conserve Wildlife (GSWA) $2,500 orating on administrative functions. They plan to create the Foundation coordinated a summer mist-netting and radio- Applying for Accreditation following shared documents: employee manual, bylaws and telemetry project in north New Jersey to learn more about The GSWA is seeking Accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance finance/bookkeeping system. distribution and summer roosting behaviors of the state’s bat and intends to use the Franklin Parker Grant towards the species. They will complete the survey focusing on lands in application fee ($6,990 in total) and a fireproof cabinet. They NEW JERSEY AUDUbON SOCIETY $2,500 South Jersey with 2016 funding. will submit their application in 2017. Attracting Migratory Birds NJ Audubon will remove invasive plants and replant native D&R GREENWAY LAND TRUST $1,040 HARDING LAND TRUST $2,000 species attractive to birds, especially migratory species and Reforesting Wooden Lane Preserve Establishing a Wildflower Meadow pollinators, within an acre property at the Norwood Center in D&R Greenway used a 2014 grant to clear invasive plants, erect The land trust’s staff attended the Land Trust Network round- Cape may Point. These land stewardship activities will serve as enclosures and plant deer-resistant trees in their Wooden table on “meadows management” earlier this year. The a model for small-scale wildlife habitat enhancements. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 25

2016 Annual Report 25

NJ INVASIVE SPECIES STRIKE TEAm $4,000 Containing Kudzu! The Team has identified 22 sites in South Jersey containing kudzu, a terrifyingly invasive vine that has “eaten the southern US.” To curtail its growth in South Jersey, the Team is partnering with NJ Audubon Society to eradicate known emerging

populations. Volker J. Christopher by Photo

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY bAYKEEPER $4,500 Teaming Up to Improve Cheesequake State Park In partnership with state park personnel, Old bridge Environ - mental Commission and Old bridge High School, the baykeeper The Boys & Girls Club in Vineland planted a pizza garden – and enjoyed the delicious products, thanks to Franklin Parker grant will establish a native plant garden and build and maintain that funded the seeds and soil. trails in this popular state park. This project will provide a good model for land trust cooperation with public agencies. Open Space, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to restore the old-growth fields at a borough Park to create habitat for shrub- INTERNS PASSAIC RIVER COALITION $4,000 land breeding birds, such as the American woodcock. The Preserving Lands in the Passaic River Basin Conservancy is using its Sourland Stewards, supported with a With a 2015 Franklin Parker grant, the Passaic River Coalition 2015 grant, to do the field work. Eva Ryan conveyed 14 properties to public land-managing entities. The march 2016 Coalition plans to transfer another 16 properties over the next STONY bROOK-mILLSTONE , Douglass College extern year. The Coalition is improving its organizational fitness by Project: NJ LAND CONSERVATION RALLY divesting these properties. WATERSHED ASSOCIATION $4,000 Acquiring 19 Acres on Mt. Rose Ridge Catherine Dillon RIDGE AND VALLEY CONSERVANCY $1,000 The property is adjacent to the 930-acre Watershed Preserve January 2016 Implementing Management Plans to Control Invasives and contains habitats recognized by the Township of Hopewell Rutgers University, Douglass College extern The Ridge and Valley Conservancy used the Franklin Parker to be among the most environmentally sensitive and biolog- Project: NJ LAND CONSERVATION RALLY grant in 2015 to map and identify invasive species and their ically diverse in the municipality. The area contains a healthy Steven Dondero densities on five of their preserves and incorporated the infor- forest ecosystem with few non-native plants. The property is January 2016 mation in the preserves’ management plans. In 2016, they under contract. Centenary College will begin to implement strategies to control invasive plants Project: GENERAL CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE in four of these preserves. TEWKSbURY LAND TRUST $1,500 Mia Wong Filling a Link in the 10-Mile Trail System Summer 2016 SOURLAND CONSERVANCY $4,000 The land trust is acquiring a trail easement that will connect State University of Restoring American Woodcock Habitat two preserved properties, filling a gap in a ten-mile trail system Project: STEWARDSHIP The Conservancy is partnering with the borough of Hopewell, in Tewksbury. The trail will be available for nonmotorized trail mercer County Park Commission, Friends of Hopewell Valley uses, including equestrian use. 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 26

26 2016 Annual Report

2016 FINANCIAL POSITION

2016 Support and Revenue $12,485,943* *DECEMBER 31 DECEMBER 31 2016 2015

4% 1% n Government grants for 4% purchase of land and Assets easements 23% Cash and Cash Equivalents $2,821,873 $3,522,640 3% n Individuals 48% Investments, at market Value 10,449,752 9,781,017 23% n Unconditional Promises to Give 838,469 463,429 17% Foundations 17% n Organizations 4% Note Receivable 100,000 150,000 n Estate Gifts 4% beneficial Interest in Split Interest Agreements 201,709 179.731 n Special Events 3% Land and Easements 35,579,940 32,418,672 48% n Other 1% Other Assets 120,651 443,605 Total Assets $50,112,394 $46,959,094

Liabilities and Net Assets 2016 Expenses and Land Purchases $12,736,558* Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 290,363 $177,424 Refundable Advances 207,500 4% 5% n Program Grants Notes Payable and Contributions 34% Total Liabilities $290,363 $384,924 n Purchase of Land 24% 20% 34% n Program of Easements 13% Net Assets n Program Management 20% Unrestricted 42,999,805 39,816,874 n Management and 13% 24% General 4% Temporarily Restricted 6,715,952 6,651,022 n Fundraising 5% Permanently Restricted 106,274 106,274 Total Net Assets 49,822,031 46,574,170

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $50,112,394 $46,959,094 *2016 information is unaudited. To receive a copy of the complete financial statements and notes, please send a request to [email protected] 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 2:11 PM Page 27

LEAVING A LEGACY for future generations

The Red Oak Society was founded in 2011 to recognize those who donate to New Jersey Conservation Foundation through planned giving strategies. We thank the conservation- 2016 Members of the Red Oak Society minded supporters of the Red Oak Society who are preserving New Jersey’s natural resources and lands for future generations. Fredrick A. Allis* Sarah P. Fiske* Robert Pierson* To become a member of the Red Oak Society, please let us know if you wish to support Eveyln Arcuni* barbara Galli* Virginia Pierson New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s mission through: Carl Austin Elizabeth K. Gardner* Elizabeth Potter* Edward F. babbott margaret Gardner* Joann S. Ramos n Giving through your will or charitable trust Ira H. beckman* Ruth Gleason* Elizabeth b. Reed n Giving through IRAs, qualified retirement plans, insurance or donor advised funds Louis C. bodenheimer* Alfred R. Gnam* L. Keith and Lisa Reed n Gifts of conservation easements, cash, securities and real estate David bolger Joan C. Gilson Allen Reese & Andrea bonette Elsie b. Grove* Joseph m. Hengel To discuss how your planned gift will help ensure the permanence of preservation, contact Louise bossert* Stephen C. Gruber Timothy C. Riegert Kathleen Ward, Development Director, at 908-997-0723 or [email protected]. JoAnn bowman Eleanor Gural* Gregory Romano Rose m. bracco* Thomas b. Harvey David Rutherford* While it is not necessary to advise us in advance that you have included New Jersey Conservation Zella brady* Nora E.J. Hayes Anna L. Salvato* Foundation in your estate planning, we encourage you to let us know of your plans so that we C. Austin buck* Harold Healy* Walter and Patricia Savage* may thank you and learn more about your interests. If you wish to add us in your will or estate Ann H. bumsted* Elizabeth D. Healy betsy J. Schnorr plan, please use the following listing: New Jersey Conservation Foundation/170 Longview michele S. byers John S. Hirschoff* Susan Schmidt Road / Far Hills, NJ 07931. Our tax identification number is 22-6065456. Ogden b. Carter* Donald and beverley Jones* Diane P. Schwarz* Nancy Castleman* Elizabeth S. Jordan* betsy b. Shirley* Catherine A. m. Cavanaugh John and Susan Karlin* Katherine Smith Sophia Chroscinski* Evangeline macKay H. E. Esty and Helen Stowell* Tillie Chwat* Keasbey* mark Thomas Jack and Ronnie Cimprich Larry and barbara Keller* Ted and Penny Thomas Francis and Elizabeth Coles* Robert W. Kent* Althea Thornton* beryl Robichaud Collins* Samuel W. Lambert benjamin W. Tucker, Jr.* Jean K. Colvin* Frances E. Land* mary Upmeyer* Warren P. Cooper* Eleanor R. Lawrence* Artemis Vardakis* William D. Dana* Vera Lazar Nan Hunter Walnut* Rev. Julia S. Dawson Caryl Leong and Donna Paino Ruth Creighton Webster* Lillie R. Debevoise* Larrabee C. Lillie* Catherine Welsh* William D. deCamp* Kenneth W. Lloyd* Dorothy moran Werner* Hugo and margaret Donald macGuigan* Clarissa Willemsen deNeufville* Kenneth macRitchie muriel Williams* Joseph Dlugach* Robert mcLean* Virginia T. Williams* Nelson C. Doland, Jr.* Kristina miller William T. Wyman Theodore m. Edison* Winifred C. millikin* Esther Yanai* Ann O. Edison* Gordon A. millspaugh, Jr. Robert L. Zion* Frank Eggert* David F. and mary W. T. moore Charles and Eleanor Engel Sigrid S. Nagle* Eleanor English maureen Ogden Nicholas English* Franklin E. Parker* Walter brooks and Cyril dos Passos* Dorothy Stewart Evert* Harry F. Peters, Jr.* *denotes deceased members 23740_Layout 1 8/14/17 3:33 PM Page 28

NeW JerSeY CONServatiON FOUNDatiON Non-Profit Org. bamboo brook | 170 Longview road | Far Hills, NJ 07931 U.S. Postage PAID www.njconservation.org S. Hackensack, NJ Permit #79

It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for–the whole thing– rather than just one or two stars.” “ DaviD atteNbOrOUgH ”