May 8, 2024

Wine and Art at the Farm - Thank You!

Some chilly temperatures and a little rain didn't phase the nearly 200 people who turned out for HLT’s Wine and Art at the Farm fundraiser! The art, food, and live music transformed the historic Wagon House and grounds where the event took place. We are so grateful to the artists, new friends, and familiar faces that made the evening special. 

Our Summer Farmers' Market Has Begun its 18th Season

Our summer farmers' market season is here! Join us every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM now through October at the Dvoor Farm (111 Mine Street, Flemington) to stock up on fruits and vegetables, all-natural meats, fresh-baked breads, cheeses, plants, fresh-cut flowers, and more.

View the full list of vendors for this summer's market on our website, and remember to follow our Farmers' Market Facebook page for weekly updates!

Open Space Preservation Win in Kingwood Township

HLT is excited to announce the permanent protection of 17 acres on Tumble Falls Road in Kingwood Township! Preservation of this forested land provides habitat for rare animals and plant communities while protecting the area’s natural resources and viewshed. HLT would like to thank the NJ Green Acres program for funding this acquisition. 

HLT helped to facilitate this preservation through its work with the National Park Service’s Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic Program, which aims to protect the natural, cultural, and historic values of the Delaware River.  

Upcoming Volunteer Events

From invasive species removal to trail upkeep, there is plenty to keep us busy on our preserves this time of year! Join us to care for HLT's natural lands on the following dates:

Stewardship Saturday - Zega-Lockatong Preserve - May 18 | 9 AM

Stewardship Saturday - Holland Highlands Preserve - June 22 | 9 AM

Visit our Stewardship Saturdays page for more information, and RSVP to Emily Dunn, Stewardship Program Manager: emily@hunterdonlandtrust.org.

We are appreciative of support for Stewardship Saturdays by the National Park Service's Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic River Program, which aims to protect the natural, cultural, and historic values of the Delaware River.

Spring Stewardship Updates

Tree planting volunteers at Dvoor Farm

Spring has been filled with activity at HLT preserves! On April 17th, we welcomed volunteers to plant 350 native trees and shrubs at Dvoor Farm, expanding the riparian buffer of Walnut Brook. We send our thanks to FirstEnergy's Green Team for their contribution of both volunteer time and resources to make this planting possible.

We also welcomed visitors to two naturalist walks at HLT preserves, led by the talented local naturalist Juanita Hummel. At Idell Preserve we explored the diversity of amphibians making use of vernal pools, while at Zega-Lockatong Preserve we enjoyed a variety of native wildflowers and bird sightings despite a rainy morning. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to Juanita for her expertise and time!

We are grateful for support of naturalist walks by the National Park Service's Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic River Program, which aims to protect the natural, cultural, and historic values of the Delaware River.

Left: spotted salamander at Idell Preserve; right: mayapple in bloom at Zega-Lockatong Preserve.

NJ Green Acres Award

NJ Green Acres Program awarded Hunterdon Land Trust $500,000 to fund open space preservation projects in Hunterdon County. To date, Hunterdon Land Trust has received approximately $7 million from NJ Green Acres to support open space preservation in our region. We thank them for their continued support!

Dvoor Farm Project - Construction Update

Above: The bank barn with new roofing and insulation. Below: New siding on the north addition.

Progress continues at the Dvoor Farm! A new slate roof was installed on the main section of the bank barn and metal roofing was installed on its northern section. Insulation was then applied to the exterior of the sides of both sections and siding is being installed on the northern section. The beauty of the structure is more visible than ever.

In another two months, the siding on the main section of the barn will be installed to complete this first phase of the project. It and two future phases will make the site available to the public for meetings, conferences, and events.

Thank you to the many individual donors, New Jersey Historic Trust, Raritan Township, and Hunterdon County, who have provided the funding for this phase of the project.

Exercise Classes at the Dvoor Farm Wagon House

With the warmer weather, we're excited to welcome back these weekly exercise class offerings at the Wagon House at the Dvoor Farm!

Tuesdays at 8:30 AM - Mat Pilates with Colleen Tomko: Beginners are welcome! This 1-hour class is $20 per person. For more details email Colleen (coltomko@gmail.com) or message her on Facebook.

Sundays at 9:00 AM during the Farmers' Market - Yoga with Lauren Theis: All levels are welcome! A $15 donation is suggested; please bring your own mat.

Thank you to our Partners in Preservation:

Jeffrey A. Miller Catering

Basil Bandwagon Natural Market

Northfield Bank

Preservation Works, LTD.

Bohren and Bohren Associates, Inc.

Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty

ShopRite of Hunterdon County

W.S. Cumby Construction, Inc.

Are you interested in enrolling in our Partners in Preservation Business Sponsorship Program? Learn more about benefits on our website, or contact Catherine Suttle, HLT Executive Director (catherine@hunterdonlandtrust.org).

Visit us at www.hunterdonlandtrust.org