2011 ANNUAL DONOR REPORT Newsletter of D&R Greenway Land Trust, Inc. Volume 21, Number 1 GREENWAYS Spring 2012 D&R Greenway Earns National Recognition D&R Greenway Among First Ten Percent of Land Trusts in Nation to Achieve Accreditation Status he Land Trust Accreditation In speaking of the rigorous review, Commission, an independent Alan Hershey, D&R Greenway Board T program of the Land Trust of Trustees Chair and an avid trail Land Preservation Update Alliance, has awarded accredited builder, shares this analogy, “The path status–the highest level of distinction– was long and not always straight. Since 1989, D&R Greenway has to D&R Greenway Land Trust. We had to ford streams and scale preserved 240 properties valued at Among the first 10% of land trusts mountains. We were all tied together…. nationwide to reach accreditation, this It worked. Congratulations to the almost $331 million. These 15,118 seal of approval ensures that D&R staff and the accreditation committee acres could have supported over Greenway meets national standards for of trustees. We have improved our 8,000 houses — but instead will excellence, upholding the public trust already excellent practices and achieved remain as open space forever. and ensuring that conservation efforts something worth celebrating.” are permanent. The Accreditation D&R Greenway is only the second seal is a mark of distinction in land land trust in New Jersey to achieve this conservation. important status. The first, The Land Inside “Accredited land trusts meet national Conservancy of New Jersey (formerly • Announcing a New Preserve: The quality standards for protecting Morris Land Conservancy) provided Adam Family Land important natural places and working initial guidance as D&R Greenway • 2011 Partners, Donors, Volunteers lands forever,” said Commission began its application in 2010. “The • Trustees: New and Retiring Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. difference in our two organizations • Decoy gift inspires Protection of “The accreditation seal lets the public is that D&R Greenway holds fee title Waterfowl Habitat know that the accredited land trust has or easements on over 100 properties, • Preserving the Whole by undergone an extensive, external review compared to their three,” said Linda Connecting the Pieces of the governance and management of Mead, D&R Greenway President & • Be Inspired by Art and Guided its organization and the systems and CEO. This required a more extensive Walks policies it uses to protect land.” Continued on page 2 D&R Greenway Trustees and Staff members gather to celebrate Accreditation, a milestone achievement in the organization’s 23-year history. Pictured (l-r) Hella McVay, Ted Thomas, Tiffany So, Roberta Kaszuba, Jay Watson, Richard Goldman, Jeff Emde, Tanya Rohrbach, Wendy Kvalheim, Meg Gorrie, Alan Hershey, John Rassweiler, Cate Litvack, Leslie Davis Potter, Christopher DeGrazia, Jim Amon, Phyllis Marchand, Laurie Emde, Brian Breuel, Diana Raichel, Linda Mead, Robert Johnston, Jim Trowbridge, Carolyn Edelmann, Deb Kilmer, Joyce Copleman, Mary Lou Hartman. Not Pictured (trustees): Rosemary Miles Blair, Shawn Ellsworth, Alex Hanson, Margee Harper, Ashton Harvey, Eleanor Horne, Mary Allessio Leck, Robin McConaughy, Tom Poole, Dave Reynolds, Mark Solomon; (staff): Emily Blackman, Susan Charkes, Ilene Dube, Diana Moore, Randy Pease. Photo: Tasha O’Neill, Photographer D&R GREENWAY LAND TRUST NEWSLETTER ❧ SPRING 2012 1 incentives.” These land trusts Accreditation are among the 158 land trusts Continued from page 1 from across the country awarded accreditation since the fall of review that took two years to complete. 2008. In the process, D&R Greenway led All of the accredited land trusts development of a new easement have made significant investments template that will be used by land trusts in their organizations, even as they in the State of New Jersey, ensuring faced tough choices about how to that the current high IRS standards allocate resources. “Through the for easement deductibility are met. accreditation process land trusts Linda notes her appreciation for the have taken the time to conduct guidance received early on, “As the important planning and to make Land Conservancy assisted us, we look their operations more efficient forward to guiding other land trusts and strategic,” said Commission in New Jersey as they pursue this Executive Director Tammara Van important status.” Ryn. “This round of accreditation Rand Wentworth, President of the decisions comes at an important Land Trust Alliance, congratulates time as land trusts and their the 23 newly-accredited land trusts of supporters work to save land in an which D&R Greenway is one. “This is uncertain economic environment. a significant milestone and proves that Accreditation provides the public land trusts of every size and from every with an assurance that land trusts region have what it takes to earn the meet high standards for quality The RWJ Auditorium at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center is an inspirational setting for public’s trust, as well as the confidence and that their conservation work educational workshops and gatherings, furthering of Congress and the IRS who have is permanent.” ❧ the cause of land preservation and stewardship. granted land conservation special tax Photo: Leigh Visual Imaging Announcing a New Preserve: The Adam Family Land n September 1957, a young couple in the United States was for them of Amwell Township was an important I arrived in Trenton: refugees fleeing great emotional importance.” partner, enabling this preservation. the village of Pacin, Hungary, after Bill and Yolanda held on to their They contributed their allocation of the Revolution of 1956 was crushed by dream for 20 years. Green Acres funds to the acquisition, Soviet troops. Yolanda and Bill (born In 1978 they purchased 28 acres on which closed in December 2011, and Bela) Adam, with sons Laszlo (6) and Barry Road in West Amwell, in the committed to own and manage the Zoltan (3), emigrated to America to midst of a rural landscape replete with preserved land. join Yolanda’s sister Margaret and her farms and forests. There they raised Jay Watson notes, “It was a pleasure husband Julius Kovacs. cattle, sheep, chickens, and horses, and to work with Laszlo, an attentive In Pacin, everyone had a tiny plot of walked the wildlife-rich woods. and motivated seller, who was always land where they raised a few animals. Even after the boys moved away and available to do what was needed to make the transaction happen in a timely When they arrived in New Jersey, Bill started their own families, they loved manner.” and Yolanda brought with them not visiting the farm. The whole family got For Laszlo, preservation and only their two boys, but also a dream: together for “Hungarian-style picnics,” philanthropy are a part of his family’s to buy a piece of land to farm. Laszlo recalls Laszlo. “Nothing would go to ideals. Laszlo and Eleanor have Adam says, “The idea of owning land waste.” established the Alex Adam Foundation, Yolanda lived on the farm until her which supports creative artists, in death in 1998; Bill stayed until he died memory of their son Alex, a writer, in 2010. After selling six cleared acres to actor and outdoor enthusiast, who a farmer, the family decided to preserve died of cancer at age 23. Alex, along the forested remainder. with brothers Nick and Dash, loved the “We never wanted to develop it,” says property. Laszlo. “The whole family loves the “It’s wonderful to think that years outdoors; that’s been the cornerstone from now, people we’ve never met will of the family.” have a chance to enjoy this beautiful D&R Greenway worked with the property, unmarred by development,” Adam family to craft a transaction comments Laszlo. “It carries my that provided financial benefits while parents’ legacy forward. The land satisfying the overriding preservation Indigo Bunting is something they touched and left (Passerina cyanea) goal that all parties shared. West behind.” ❧ 2 D&R GREENWAY LAND TRUST NEWSLETTER ❧ SPRING 2012 The Taplin Circle rank Taplin was a well-known and respected philanthropist who championed the cause of land preservation. His F vision and leadership resulted in the permanent protection of two signature Princeton landscapes, the Institute Woods and Coventry Farm. His wife Peg supported his love of the land. We mourn Peg’s passing in 2011 as we remember the difference that Frank and Peg made in our community. In 2004, D&R Greenway Land Trust honored Frank Taplin’s memory by creating the Taplin Circle, to recognize individuals who contribute $1,000 or more annually to support D&R Greenway’s critical work. Members of the Taplin Circle share Frank and Peg’s commitment to preserving the land, the historic character and the natural resources of central New Jersey. Taplin Circle contributors are invited to a special reception annually where they hear first-hand about the accomplishments that their support makes possible, and learn about strategic initiatives before they are publicly announced. We express our deepest thanks and appreciation our Taplin Circle contributors for their leadership in supporting D&R Greenway Land Trust. Special recognition is given for multi-year pledges that were in effect in 2011 (see page 21). Here, Taplin Circle members are shown at their 2011 pledge payment level. To request a correction to this donor list, please call D&R Greenway at 609-924-4646. Donations Received January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 * First-time Taplin Circle member TAPLIN CIRCLE BENEFACTORS Francis & Carrie Dyckman Greg & Anne Elise Matthews and ($2,500 to $4,999) Frederick & Gael Gardner the Edward E. and Marie L. TAPLIN CIRCLE LEGACY GIFTS Laszlo & Eleanor Adam* Eugene & Wendy Gladston Matthews Foundation Betty Wold Johnson David & Rosemary Blair Sophie Glovier David H. & Sally McAlpin and the TAPLIN CIRCLE STEWARDS Sally Buck Frank & Cathy Greek McAlpin Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation ($25,000 TO $49,999) James & Diane Burke Geoffrey Green Jon & Robin McConaughy Anonymous Robert & Mary Ellen Darretta Lilian Grosz David & Sally Mikkelsen François Brütsch & Sheila Johnson Thomas & Lynn Ebeling Gordon & Llura Gund and the Brütsch Mrs.