{"id":11331,"date":"2025-05-15T12:19:24","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T16:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/?p=11331"},"modified":"2025-05-15T12:19:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T16:19:24","slug":"25_0025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/25_0025\/","title":{"rendered":"Commissioner LaTourette Announces Statewide Acquisition Initiative to Enhance Open Space and Habitat Connections (25\/P025)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong>
\nMay 15, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Contact: <\/strong>Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
\n<\/strong>Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795
\n<\/strong>Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

COMMISSIONER LATOURETTE ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE ACQUISITION INITIATIVE TO ENHANCE OPEN SPACE AND HABITAT CONNECTIONS<\/h3>\n

(25\/P25) TRENTON<\/strong> \u2013 Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette today announced the launch of an innovative land acquisition and preservation initiative that will enhance the Department of Environmental Protection\u2019s wildlife habitat connectivity and open space preservation work across the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis new land acquisition initiative will more closely link the great work of our longstanding Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey (CHANJ) wildlife habitat connectivity program with our Green Acres open space preservation program,\u201d Commissioner LaTourette said.<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cBy better integrating the\"\" resources of these two programs, we will more effectively target preservation of habitat corridors needed by wildlife while creating open space recreation opportunities for the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Green Acres funding legislation signed earlier this year by Governor Murphy for the first time prioritizes the acquisition of lands in 235 municipalities across the state for conservation purposes because of their importance in connecting wildlife habitats.<\/p>\n

The state\u2019s new strategy includes increased collaboration with non-profits and municipal officials in identifying opportunities to engage with residents about property purchases. Utilizing CHANJ mapping tools, DEP staff are identifying priority areas for habitat conservation that align with properties that come on the market.<\/p>\n

Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation Acquisition<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Through this effort, the DEP recently purchased a 473-acre portion of the Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation that increases the size of Allamuchy Mountain State Park<\/a> in Sussex County by nearly 20 percent. The purchase also will expand trails and hiking opportunities within the park, which showcases the scenic beauty of the Highlands Region.\"\"<\/p>\n

The Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation property in Byram Township was purchased from the Patriots\u2019 Path Council, BSA, which will continue to operate on land adjacent to the park. The state acquired the land for $1,125,000, using money provided by the State Land Acquisition Fund and federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to announce the acquisition of this addition to Allamuchy Mountain State Park as part of our CHANJ initiative,\u201d said DEP Assistant Commissioner for Community Investment and Economic Redevelopment Elizabeth Dragon.<\/strong> \u201cThis strategic purchase advances DEP priorities by enhancing habitat connectivity and expanding outdoor recreation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge to piecing fragmented wildlife habitats back together is daunting,\u201d said DEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden.<\/strong> \u201cThe Allamuchy acquisition is a positive step in helping us protect threatened and endangered species as well as other species that provide rich wildlife diversity to the state. CHANJ offers tools to assist land-use, conservation, and transportation planners to be more proactive and collaborative, helping to ensure that our wildlife can persist long into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cThis addition of 473 acres to Allamuchy Mountain State Park safeguards critical habitat for endangered species in perpetuity and enhances the park\u2019s existing trail network, a win for wildlife, habitat and people,\u201d said John Cecil, DEP Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. <\/strong>\u201cIn the coming months, State Park Service crews will begin rerouting and improving the property\u2019s existing trails for all to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough our partnership with the NJDEP, we are ensuring Scouts maintain a lasting connection to the environment, empowering the next generation of conservation leaders to engage with and learn from the natural beauty of our state parks,\u201d said Marc Andreo, Scout Executive & CEO, Patriots\u2019 Path Council.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTo those of us who spent our summers at the Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation, this land has a lot of meaning and its stewardship really matters,\u201d said Assemblyman Michael Inganamort, a member of the Assembly Environment, Natural Resources & Solid Waste Committee<\/strong>. \u201cI couldn\u2019t be more pleased that these forests, wetlands, and streams \u2013 all tied together by five miles of trails \u2013 will be preserved through the New Jersey State Park Service for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey Land Acquisition Strategy<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

By identifying and acquiring key properties, this new initiative will create a more connected landscape for wildlife, supporting biodiversity and ecological health across New Jersey.\"\"<\/p>\n

DEP is continuing acquisition work throughout the state this year by collaborating with officials in critical areas of New Jersey for connecting habitats for wildlife as well as urban areas. DEP staff can work with local leaders to leverage real estate tools to identify and acquire land for recreational development in targeted urban areas. The DEP will host two webinars on June 12 to discuss opportunities for municipal leaders related to CHANJ and urban parks. Invitations will be posted on the Green Acres website<\/a> and sent to local officials.<\/p>\n

Expanding Access to Nature<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Allamuchy Mountain State Park acquisition advances several DEP priorities, including expanding outdoor recreational opportunities and supporting conservation of biodiversity as described in its 2024 Outside, Together! <\/em>plan<\/a>.\"\"<\/p>\n

The forested property offers scenic views and is rich with wetlands, streams, important wildlife habitat, and several existing trails, some of which already tie into Allamuchy Mountain State Park\u2019s extensive trail system, including the Highlands Trail and the New Jersey State Long Trail, envisioned as a hiking trail and multi-use greenway crossing the breadth of New Jersey from High Point State Park to Cape May Point.<\/p>\n

The Highlands Trail crosses through the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. The New Jersey portion extends from the Delaware River in Hunterdon County to the New York state border at Passaic County, traversing Allamuchy Mountain State Park and connecting many communities in the Highlands with parks, open space, and opportunities for outdoor recreation.<\/p>\n

In addition, the trails in the newly preserved property are part of a larger trail network that includes other significant trails nearby, including the Patriot\u2019s Path, the Morris Canal Greenway, the Sussex Branch Trail, the Liberty-Water Gap Trail, and the September 11th<\/sup> National Memorial Trail.<\/p>\n

DEP PHOTOS\/From Top: Trail at newly acquired addition to Allamuchy Mountain State Park; Barred owl; Scenic view of Allamuchy Mountain State Park; Bobcat<\/strong><\/p>\n

###<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 15, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””] Contact: Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795 Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795 Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795 [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] COMMISSIONER LATOURETTE ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE ACQUISITION INITIATIVE TO ENHANCE OPEN SPACE AND HABITAT CONNECTIONS (25\/P25) TRENTON \u2013 Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette today announced the launch of an innovative land […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":511,"featured_media":11333,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"dep-single.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[193],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-193"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/511"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11331"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11331\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11337,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11331\/revisions\/11337"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}