Freeholders Recognize Conservation Foundation

In 2014 the Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) will mark 30 years of working to keep open space in the county for many more years to come. At the last meeting of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders the foundation received the 2013 Planning Merit Award from the freeholders.

Planning Board Chairman Vince Domidion said since its creation the foundation has saved more than 6500 acres of land in the county. “This County Planning Board award recognizes MCF’s responsible contributions and partnerships that help keep Monmouth County green.”

Freeholder Lillian G. Burry serves as the liaison to the planning board and as a member of the foundation’s advisory council. In that role, she said she has “witnessed first-hand MCF’s dedication to preserving our important agricultural and historic properties, vital natural resources and open space for recreational use.” She added, “Their assistance has been valuable to our own County efforts to develop and maintain partnerships with municipalities and other stakeholders to promote sustainable, well-planned communities.”

Last year alone the foundation helped to preserve five properties in the county which totalled more than 2000 acres. As part of their work they handle negotiations with homeowners, arrange for property appraisals, title searches, environmental reviews and survey work. They also look to find funding from grants and preservation partners. Last year that funding reached an impressive total of $32,589,734 from private and public agencies according to the county.

Partners in 2012 included the new Jersey State Agriculture Development committee, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program, the New Jersey Department of Natural Resources, the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board, the Monmouth County Park System, local municipalities, the New York/New Jersey Baykeeper and the Trust for Public Land.

Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso said all these partnerships help the foundation to be successful. “I continue to be impressed with the Conservation Foundation’s ability to pull partners together and keep moving projects forward,” she said. “Through their partnerships they have shown commitment to not only preservation in Monmouth County, but in the entire state.”

Foundation Executive Committee member Howard Aronson said their work would not be as successful as it has been without the support of the Monmouth County Planning Board. “Cooperative work with all our partners, especially landowners, has allowed us to preserve some important properties.”