HLT Preserves 177 Acres in Bethlehem Township | |
The newly preserved open space in Bethlehem Township | |
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HLT is thrilled to announce that it has preserved 177 acres of forested land in Bethlehem Township. The property is adjacent to a portion of NJ Audubon’s Deerpath Sanctuary and is close to other preserved properties. This preservation enlarges the greenway corridor, which has many benefits including aiding wildlife and enhancing water quality.
Most of the property has never been farmed, and it contains a healthy forest and understory. Streams flow through the woodland, and an area of groundwater seeps support the growth of wet woodland plants such as sensitive fern, jewelweed, and skunk cabbage. Native sedges, ferns, mayapple, and other native plants compose the understory of much of the woodland under a diverse canopy of native hardwood tree species.
This property is located in the William Penn Foundation’s Delaware River Watershed Initiative focus area. Acquisition of this property is a part of a larger preservation effort in the Musconetcong River watershed aimed at improving water quality.
Bethlehem Township will own and manage the property. HLT wants to thank the NJ Green Acres Program, Hunterdon County, Bethlehem Township, NJ Conservation Foundation, and the William Penn Foundation for supporting this acquisition.
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HLT Surpasses 12,000 Acres Preserved! | |
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HLT had a very busy 2024 with 10 preservation projects completed in the last 12 months. HLT helped preserve 5 farms for a total of 335 acres and 5 open space projects for a total of 232 acres which equates to 567 acres last year. One of the ways HLT helped preserve these properties is by obtaining grant funds in the amount of $716,989.20 to put towards the capital costs of these projects. The grants come from a variety of sources, including the NJ Green Acres Program, Hunterdon County, and the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
HLT has now preserved 12,207 acres - but who is counting? We are! Because for every preserved acre comes cleaner water, more wildlife habitat, healthier soils, less flooding, and a healthier environment for all of us who live in this region and beyond.
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Thank You for Your End-of-Year Support | | |
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As we begin 2025, we want to express our gratitude for the generous donations during our end-of-year fundraising! With your support, we continue the important work of preserving and protecting natural areas and farmland in perpetuity. Thank you for being an important part of ensuring that this region remains a healthy community for generations to come. | |
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On December 3rd, Hunterdon County Commissioners awarded HLT $140,000 in historic preservation funding for the Dvoor Farm Project. It will be used to fund the next phase of the project and serves as a match to funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust.
County Commissioners also awarded HLT $335,000 to purchase approximately 56 acres that will be added to Horseshoe Bend Park located in Kingwood Township. Preservation of this property will expand the greenway corridor, provide critical wildlife habitat, enhance water quality, protect the stream corridor and headwaters, support healthy ecosystems, and prevent the forest from fragmentation.
A second open space grant was awarded to HLT by Hunterdon County for $79,200 to purchase approximately 18 acres in Raritan Township that contains wetlands, headwaters, and active river area. Acquiring this property for preservation will provide public open space in a populated neighborhood, enhance water quality, protect wetlands, mitigate flooding, and connect wildlife habitat.
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Become a 2025 Partner in Preservation | |
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Support HLT’s mission by participating in our 2025 Partner in Preservation Business Sponsorship Program and show the public how you care about the preservation of forests, farms, and waterways in our region.
HLT is a nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1996 to preserve and protect the natural resources of Hunterdon County. To date, we have preserved over 12,000 acres of forests, family farms, and streams and manage 8 nature preserves. Our headquarters is located in the heart of Hunterdon County at the Dvoor Farm which is an iconic landmark with historic buildings and acres of peaceful natural surroundings. It is also the location of the seasonal Hunterdon Community Farmers Market on Sundays.
Your sponsorship offers your business the opportunities listed here to align with the mission of preserving open space and farmland, stewardship of natural resources, and cultivation of Dvoor Farm as a center for inspiration, education, and connection.
To become a Partner in Preservation, please contact Catherine Suttle, Executive Director, at catherine@hunterdonlandtrust.org or Heather Mulvey, Director of Development, at heather@hunterdonlandtrust.org, call us at 908-237-4582, or make your donation online.
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Farmers Market Info for 2025 Season | |
Reminder! Beginning with the 2025 season, HLT will pass the reins to a newly formed non-profit led by Dean and Emily Buttacavoli of Cabbage Throw Farm, who will manage the new Hunterdon Community Farmers Market. The market will continue to be held at Dvoor Farm on Sundays from 9 AM to 1 PM. You can sign up for the new market email newsletter here to receive updates for the 2025 season! | | | | |
