The Sherrill Administration announced Oct. 26 the Garden State Preservation Trust’s approval of more than $88 million for projects across the state.
These projects will preserve open space to protect critical water supplies, connect habitats, and expand access to open spaces, fund capital improvements for New Jersey’s state parks, forests, historic sites, and wildlife management areas, and advance flood protections through the voluntary Blue Acres program.
Funding from the constitutional dedication of Corporation Business Tax revenue will improve quality of life for residents across New Jersey, especially in many overburdened communities. The Garden State Preservation Trust approved the Department of Environmental Protection-recommended funding package at its meeting on Oct. 21. The package now advances to the Legislature for formal appropriations.
The breakdown of funding, pending approval by the Legislature, is as follows:
Development & Capital Projects: $44,250,000
New Jersey’s state parks, forests, historic sites, and wildlife management areas are enjoyed by over 18 million visitors annually. These funds will be allocated for capital improvements across the DEP’s network of more than 800,000 acres of public lands that include 42 state parks, 11 state forests, more than 50 historic sites and districts, and 122 state wildlife management areas.
Following approval of the funding by the Legislature, projects will improve camping facilities, restore habitats, improve boating and fishing access, stabilize historic buildings, develop new facilities, and facilitate road and bridge repairs, as well as make other health and life safety improvements to ensure a safe experience for visitors.
Blue Acres Acquisitions: $26,325,000
Since 1995, Blue Acres has served the residents of New Jersey, becoming the national standard for helping families move out of areas that flood repeatedly by purchasing properties from willing sellers and restoring the land for natural flood storage and community open space.
Current buyout priorities include reducing flood risk and strengthening long term community resilience through buyouts and post buyout land restoration with a focus on supporting overburdened communities that face disproportionate climate impacts. These efforts underscore the state’s commitment to protecting residents, restoring natural floodplains, and managing flooding.
Green Acres State Land Acquisition: $11,825,000
The State Land Acquisition Bureau within Green Acres serves as the real estate agent for the DEP, acquiring land that has been offered for sale by property owners and meets the DEP’s priorities.
The protection of land around critical water supplies helps protect and enhance drinking water quality, ensuring clean and reliable sources for communities across the state. Projects funded also support the expansion of parks and green space in urban communities, helping to create places where residents can connect with nature close to home.
In addition, protecting and connecting habitat through strategic land acquisition helps establish and expand wildlife corridors that are essential to biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Green Acres Nonprofit Development projects: $7,663,000
Green Acres held a special funding round, making non-matching grants available to nonprofit organizations that have established partnerships with the DEP. This funding differs from traditional nonprofit Green Acres awards, which require a 50 percent match.
Five nonprofit organizations successfully applied for funding and are recommended for grant funding. Projects are located in three counties and range from an ecological restoration project to renovations at the New Jersey School of Conservation within Stokes State Forest.
Projects also recognize and honor New Jersey’s history with improvements proposed at several important historic sites, including Princeton Battlefield State Park, Whitesbog Village Historic Site in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, and Washington Crossing State Park.
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