New Jersey

Providing local food: The accredited Land Conservancy of New Jersey established a community garden at its South Branch Preserve in Mt. Olive. The 145 organic plots are on land that was purchased to protect the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River, a drinking water supply source for more than 1.5 million New Jersey residents. Over the past five years, the gardeners donated nearly 3,000 pounds of fresh food to the community.

Protecting land for future generations: The accredited Tewksbury Land Trust has worked on the 10 Mile Trail, a network of trails and preserved lands located roughly 50 miles west of New York City near Oldwick. Development of the 10 Mile Trail was a collaborative project from Tewksbury Land Trust, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Raritan Headwaters, Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation that has fostered community unity.

Providing access to land for all: When it comes to telling a preserve’s story, sometimes a sign isn’t enough. The story’s too complex, and many hikers would rather move than stand and read anyway. As one solution, the accredited D&R Greenway Land Trust in Princeton, New Jersey, turned to a device that hikers are rarely without: their smartphones.