Penstemon digitalis, commonly known as foxglove beardtongue, a wildlife-friendly New Jersey-native flowering plant.
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Dear Friend of MCF,
As summer heats up – literally and figuratively – things are heating up at MCF with a number of impactful projects underway! On the heels of preserving the Stivala Farm in Colts Neck, we have exciting, collaborative acquisition news in Millstone, and we expect to finalize preservation of another property in Howell very soon.
We are focusing our efforts through a new lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to best serve our evolving community, spearheaded by our new DEI Committee within our Board of Trustees. We are honored to be the recipient of two charitable grants to support DEI training and strategic planning over the next year.
We hope to see you this fall at our Fall for Conservation cocktail party and our Holiday Style Luncheon and Shopping Spree, detailed below. Our signature events are critical as fundraisers to support our preservation work and as friend-raisers to engage new audiences in our efforts.
Read on for more details. We thank you for your continued involvement.
Sincerely,
William D. Kastning, AICP
Executive Director
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Your donation supports Monmouth Conservation Foundation’s mission of
Creating Parks . Saving Open Space . Preserving Farmland . Safeguarding Waterways . Teaching Environmental Sustainability . Protecting Wildlife
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Gloria and Len Nilson Honored for Contributions to MCF and our Community
Gloria Nilson, an icon in the real estate community known for her trademark hats, and her husband, Len Nilson, have built their life on hard work, integrity, and authenticity. Gloria started her successful company the same year Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) was founded, in 1977, and both she and Len have helped MCF to flourish while they have grown their family and respective companies. They have solidified a powerful legacy.
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Monmouth Conservation Foundation’s
premier outdoor event of the season
Saturday, September 24, 2022 ∙ 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by John and Robin Klein
at their home on the beautiful Navesink River in Red Bank, New Jersey
Honoring Gloria and Len Nilson
Ticket reservations include open bar and hors d’oeuvres by Triumph Brewery Co. Restaurant & Brewery. Silent Auction. Live Music. Entertainment and more
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Acquisition News!
The Township Committee in Millstone Township has authorized the $2.6 million purchase of a sizable property on Spring Road that will be used for open space and recreation purposes. MCF is contributing $500,000 to this acquisition, thanks to State Green Acres program funding. Read more in the new “MCF in the News” section of our website.
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Beloved Monarch Butterflies Declared Endangered
For the first time, the monarch butterfly has been officially declared at risk of extinction. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) added the migrating monarch butterfly to its "red list" of threatened species and categorized it as endangered last week. Habitat loss is a major driver in monarch populations decline, and this serves as another reminder of the importance of preserving green space. Learn how you can help HERE.
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Fitness Events Raise Funds for MCF!
Teacher Isabelle Ferreira and her all-female team, the Wave Peddlers, completed the Ride for Jackson Woods, cycling 655 miles from Niagara Falls, Canada to Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch, New Jersey! Their journey began on June 26, 2022 and ended with a large celebration at Jackson Woods Park on July 7, 2022. Donations to the Ride for Jackson Woods through MCF will support ongoing renovations at Jackson Woods Park. Thank you to all who contributed! Click here to learn more.
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MCF hosted its annual Summer Run for Conservation at Bell Works in Holmdel on Thursday evening, July 14, 2022. The event drew one hundred participants of all ages for the 5K run/walk around a portion of the Bell Works loop. The top male runner was John Spinelli of Leonardo with a time of 15:46.5, and the top female runner was Megan Devanny of Matawan with a time of 19:48.3. Thank you to our many sponsors and volunteers for supporting this event, thereby enabling MCF’s efforts to preserve land and protect natural habitat throughout Monmouth County! Click here to learn more.
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Focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The growing economic and ethnic diversity of our community demands that MCF mirror that heterogeneity both inwardly and outwardly. To that end, in early 2022 MCF formed a new standing committee of our Board of Trustees: The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, comprised of trustees and our staff. The committee’s preliminary assessment included acknowledgment of the lack of diversity across our staff and board and the need for expert guidance to drive the organizational change our community deserves, as quickly as possible. For efficiency and to maximize our impact, we will hire an experienced and highly regarded DEI consultant to work with us during the coming year. The consultancy will lead MCF through an intensive analysis and in-depth training to initiate comprehensive strategies around DEI across all functions of the organization including our recruitment, acquisition and park development efforts, programming, and community engagement activities. MCF is grateful to the Mary Owen Borden Foundation and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Franklin Parker Conservation Excellence Grants program for supporting this important endeavor.
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In Memoriam
The entire MCF community mourns the loss of John Joseph Duffy and celebrates his robust life of 87 years. Beyond his career in his family’s fuel business, John was a sailor and avid gardener who prioritized family and his community. We are grateful for his past service as an MCF trustee and his many contributions to our organization over the years. Click here for details on memorial plans.
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Save the Date!
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury Featuring keynote by Lee Woodruff
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www.monmouthconservation.org |
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