|
Dear Friend of MCF,
In recent weeks, we have endured temperature swings, some extreme precipitation, earthquakes, and a solar eclipse, all while spring blossoms are in full swing here in the Garden State. Events like these serve as a reminder of the power of our natural environment in our daily lives.
During Earth Month and with the celebration of Earth Day on April 22, we encourage each of you to take small steps each day to benefit our planet. MCF is committed to protecting the green spaces, natural habitats, and farmland which make Monmouth County so special.
We are pleased to share our latest news and projects with you and ways you can help to #KeepMonmouthGreen. Thank you for your continued interest in and support in our efforts!
Cordially,
| |
William D. Kastning, AICP
Executive Director
| |
|
A Closer Look at 20 Acres Preserved in Howell – MCF’s Pilot Project with the US Navy
What are century forests and how are they helpful in addressing climate issues? Let’s take a closer look at both the forest and the trees.
This inaugural project with the US Department of Defense (DOD), in which MCF led a partnership with the US Navy, Monmouth County, and Howell Township to permanently preserve 20 acres (approximately 15 football fields) last fall exemplifies the ripple effect of land preservation for current and future generations. With a century forest among its many attributes, this small parcel supports the MCF land preservation mission and benefits all Monmouth residents. Click to read more
| |
Photos by Fred Yahn, Eagle Drone Solutions | |
|
|
Happy Anniversary MCF Land Stewards!
On Earth Day 2022, we launched our Land Stewards monthly giving program. We are sending an anniversary gift to show our appreciation for our members’ recurring gifts to support MCF’s mission. To learn more about the program and join the Land Stewards program for as little as $5 per month, click here.
| |
| |
|
|
MCF has more than a dozen projects in our preservation pipeline , with a high likelihood of two properties being permanently protected in the next 12 months:
• 86 acres of farmland and significant wildlife habitat with an important stream feeding the Swimming River Reservoir in Colts Neck
• 17.4 acres of rare farmland and natural habitat in Aberdeen
| |
As a land trust, MCF’s objective is to facilitate how a property will be best preserved and utilized so the public-at-large benefits. Our role is sometimes imperceptible, while, at other times, we are the prominent driving force. In every instance, for land preservation to be successful, we must be supported by funding and through critical partnerships. | |
|
For Monmouth for Our Future:
A Preservation Campaign for MCF
| |
Photo by DJ Glisson II, Firefly Imageworks | MCF is entering the final stretch of our For Monmouth For Our Future comprehensive campaign, with meaningful giving opportunities remaining. We launched this campaign on July 1, 2020, with a goal of raising $8.25 million dollars in support of our operations, preservation and park development projects, and strategic priorities. All donations, pledges, and net revenue from events benefit the campaign. We are working to raise $1.3 million to reach our goal and complete the campaign by June 30, 2024. For more information or to donate, visit our campaign website. | |
Daffodils donated by MCF in honor of guests attending our 2023 Holiday Style Luncheon and Shopping Spree. Photo courtesy of Friends of Jackson Woods. | |
|
The dedicated volunteers with Friends of Jackson Woods have planted more than 50,000 daffodil bulbs in recent years at Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch as part of its ongoing revitalization, and they are in full bloom now! Deer do not eat daffodils, so they are a hearty addition to the community park’s eclectic mix of art and nature elements. Stop by for a visit soon!
Workdays have resumed at Jackson Woods with the return of spring. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome every Tuesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Simply meet at the gazebo near the Ocean Boulevard entrance to work in the gardens, remove invasive vines, spread wood chips and mulch, refresh paint, and other tasks.
Click to learn more and get involved at Jackson Woods Park.
| |
Transforming Red Bank’s Former Landfill | |
|
Just as land preservation can be a very slow and winding process, park development often takes many years and involves several steps. For instance, last May, we celebrated the opening of Swimming River Park in Middletown following a decade-long, collaborative effort.
MCF has been working with the Borough of Red Bank over the past few years to transform its former landfill into green, open space. In October 2021, an anonymous donor made a remarkable $2 million donation to MCF – the largest gift in our organization’s history – to support this effort and the eventual creation of “Sunset Park.” Now, MCF and the Borough of Red Bank entered a formal partnership agreement to complete the project.
| Photo by Fred Yahn, Eagle Drone Solutions | |
The park is one of three small area plans in Red Bank’s current master plan. It will become a reality in the coming years, following assessment and clean-up of the site, further planning with community input, additional fundraising, and construction. The NJ Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) is a key funding partner in assessment, planning, and remediation, and MCF and the Borough are pursuing this and other funding to bring the project to fruition. Once built, Sunset Park will bring much-needed green space and waterfront access to the underserved communities of Red Bank. | |
MCF at the New Jersey Land Trust Summit | |
L-R: MCF trustees, friends, and staff: Jerry Buffalino, Michael Rubin, Jena Cosimo, Larry Fink, Karen Keene, Marty McHugh, Cynthia Fair, and Kathleen Kenney | |
Members of MCF’s staff and Board of Trustees took part in the New Jersey Land Trust Summit held on March 6, 2024, at Duke Farms in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey. Participants from peer land trusts and the conservation community came together to share success stories, navigate challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities. It was an important gathering to help shape the future of land protection in New Jersey. | |
Resilience Action and Planning in Support of Naval Weapons Station Earle | |
L-R: Panelists: MCF’s Karen Keene, Monmouth County Division of Planning’s Harriet Honigfeld, Bridget Neary, and Amber Mallm, NWS Earle’s Nicholas Ginther | |
Partners from the US Navy, Monmouth County, and MCF presented a panel discussion on March 13, 2024, at the 2024 New Jersey Coastal & Climate Resilience Conference. The presentation detailed our collaborative efforts to safeguard land surrounding Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle, including the recently announced preservation of 255 acres in Howell and Colts Neck. Held at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, the three-day conference was hosted by the New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Its focus was on resilience projects in Monmouth County such as flood barriers, resilient building design, and natural shoreline restoration. | |
|
Conference participants were encouraged to write a haiku at one of the plenary talks.
| |
|
MCF OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS | |
MCF Welcomes a Communications Manager! | |
If you saw us marching at this year’s Rumson St. Patrick’s Day parade, there was a new face among the team. Our newest staff member – Communications Manager, Judy Musa, joined us at the parade in advance of her start on April 1, 2024. A lifelong Monmouth County resident currently living in Middletown, Judy brings a wealth of experience to help MCF share news and important work that we do with all residents and with our many partners. When you see Judy at upcoming events, please introduce yourself. Learn more about her here. | |
L-R: MCF Trustees, Staff, and Friends: Liz Rechnitz, Karen Keene, Matt Cohen, Judy Musa, Sarah Orsay, Anne Delaney, Tim Blanc, Kathleen Kenney, Chris Meagher | |
April Is Global Volunteer Month! | |
MCF trustees, staff, and event committee members at our annual volunteer appreciation happy hour at Red Horse by David Burke in Rumson on March 27, 2024 | |
MCF is grateful to our wonderful volunteers! We applaud our dedicated Board of Trustees who guide our operations and programs, our Event Committees who make our signature friend- and fundraising events so successful each year, and our passionate citizens who drive conservation efforts. | |
|
MCF EVENTS
Our events raise awareness of our nonprofit mission and provide critical revenue for our operations and important preservation projects.
| |
Join MCF for our annual
Spring for Conservation Family Day!
| |
|
Saturday. May 11. 2024 . 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Bayonet Farm . 41 Middletown Road. Holmdel. NJ
Rain or shine event with tent and barn cover
| |
Photos by Marcella Shook Photography | |
|
Proceeds support MCF’s charitable work to preserve open space in Monmouth County.
Adults: $60 donation
Free admission for children 12 and under!
| |
Grateful to #KeepMonmouthGreen at the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day parade! | |
MCF is grateful and honored to have been the beneficiary of the 2024 Rumson St. Patrick’s Day parade, held on Sunday, March 10, 2024! We received $10,000 in proceeds from the parade to support our charitable work to save open space, create parks, preserve farmland, teach environmental sustainability, safeguard waterways, and protect wildlife throughout Monmouth County. We thank the parade Committee, sponsors, and everyone who came out to enjoy the festivities! Click here for MCFs photo gallery. | | |
|
|
EMACC Spinnaker Awards
MCF Director of Development and Communications Karen Keene, Trustees Valerie Montecalvo and Holly Boylan Flego, Executive Director Bill Kastning at the EMACC Spinnaker Awards on March 20, 2024. At the event, Valerie Montecalvo was honored as Volunteer of the Year.
Photos: MCF Staff and Tom Pantaleo
| |
SAVE THE DATE FOR MCF’S SIGNATURE EVENTS IN 2024! | |
Photo by Marcella Shook Photography | |
| |
Photo by Marcella Shook Photography | |
| |
Your donation and attendance at our events supports Monmouth Conservation Foundation’s mission of acquiring and preserving open space and farmland and conserving natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability. | |
www.monmouthconservation.org _ 732.671.7000
| |
| | | |
