As we await snow this winter, please enjoy this lovely winter scene at Huber Woods in Middletown.
Photo by Jena Cosimo
|
|
We hope you enjoyed the holidays and your new year is off to a great start. This year, our team is excited to craft a new strategic plan, setting priorities and new goals for our work across Monmouth County. We have several diverse, collaborative land acquisition projects in the pipeline, spanning farmland preservation in central Monmouth to expansions of beloved County and municipal parks to important protections of waterways and sensitive habitats. We are focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion inwardly and outwardly to best serve our community and aiming to fill a staff vacancy to be able to resume our educational outreach programming. Plans for our signature events across the seasons are coming together, and we hope to see you very soon!
Warmly,
William D. Kastning,
AICP Executive Director
|
|
2022 marked MCF’s 45th anniversary working to preserve open space and #KeepMonmouthGreen, and we entered the year in a strong financial position despite COVID-19, thanks to our loyal supporters!
|
|
MCF received the appraisal on our first property to be preserved through our new partnership with the US Navy and Monmouth County to permanently protect land that buffers Naval Weapons Station Earle.
|
|
|
Monmouth County, the Borough of Sea Bright and MCF completed Phase One of Shrewsbury Riverfront Park in Sea Bright, with walking paths and open space, and tribute benches and bicycle racks thanks to generous sponsors.
|
|
We received a $10,000 anonymous grant through the National Philanthropic Trust to build a 1600-sq. ft. pollinator garden at Edgemere Park in Sea Girt in partnership with the Sea Girt Conservancy.
|
|
|
Old and new friends came out in the rain for our annual Spring for Conservation event at Bayonet Farm in Holmdel, featuring a barbecue, craft beer and wine, live music, wildlife encounters, and more!
|
|
We preserved a 19-acre farm in Colts Neck contiguous to an already-protected 63-acre farm, working with the State Agriculture Development Committee, Monmouth County, and Colts Neck Township.
|
|
|
The all-female Wave Peddlers team completed the Ride for Jackson Woods, cycling 655 miles from Niagara Falls, Canada to Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch to raise awareness and funds for the Park.
|
|
MCF committed $500,000 toward Millstone Township’s purchase of 122 acres for open space and recreation, using State Green Acres granted program funding.
|
|
|
We raised nearly $200,000 at our Fall for Conservation cocktail party hosted by Robin and John Klein, where we honored Gloria and Len Nilson, whose remarkable support inspired our Nilson Society for estate plan donors.
|
|
MCF assisted Howell Township in preserving nearly six acres as an addition to Deerwood Park as compensation for a water main infrastructure project through elsewhere-preserved property.
|
|
|
Lee Woodruff, co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, was the highlight of our Holiday Style Luncheon & Shopping Spree, speaking about the importance of nature in rehabilitating health-affected veterans. Our wonderful vendors, sponsors, and guests helped MCF raise over $50,000.
|
|
We finished out the year with key steps forward in the development of Sunset Park, transforming Red Bank’s former landfill into an eight-acre park, kickstarted by a substantial anonymous donation in 2021.
|
|
|
Thank you for your CONSTANT support!
|
|
We wholeheartedly thank all our generous donors who contributed to MCF for our year-end fundraising campaign, and especially thank the special few who gave matching challenge grants, to DOUBLE – and on Giving Tuesday, TRIPLE your gifts! Donations are continuing to come in, and to date we have raised nearly $350,000! Every gift makes a difference, enabling MCF’s work to #KeepMonmouthGreen! We are still accepting donations and encourage you to donate today!
|
|
Your donation supports Monmouth Conservation Foundation’s mission of
Creating Parks . Saving Open Space . Preserving Farmland . Safeguarding Waterways . Teaching Environmental Sustainability . Protecting Wildlife
|
|
(L-R) MCF Director of Development Karen Keene, JCP&L Regional External Affairs Consultant Frank Luna, MCF Executive Director Bill Kastning |
|
MCF Receives FirstEnergy Foundation Grant |
We are grateful to FirstEnergy Foundation and our friends at JCP&L for their generous $5,000 discretionary grant. The FirstEnergy Foundation's contributions to local nonprofit organizations in FirstEnergy service areas help strengthen the social and economic fabric of their communities. |
|
(L-R) Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone, Friends of Jackson Woods Volunteer Leads Nan Simon and Founder Kathy Buchan, County Planning Board member Marcy McMullen, Commissioner Ross Licitra |
|
The volunteer-led organization leading the revitalization of Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch – Friends of Jackson Woods – received a 2022 Planning Merit Award presented by the Monmouth County Planning Board in November 2022. The Board commended Friends “for transforming Jackson Woods into a beautiful passive recreation area that promotes the arts and environmental education and provides a habitat for local wildlife.” |
|
MCF and Friends began partnering in 2018, and we have been helping them to reach a broader audience, leverage new partnerships and secure funding support, and to channel Friends’ volunteer and grassroots efforts like sneaker-recycling donations and t-shirt sales revenue. We are thrilled to partner with such a vibrant organization as part of our park development work, and we thank Monmouth County for recognizing Friends’ impactful work.
|
|
|
|
Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
“We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers.” Perhaps nature has something to teach us. This Monday, January 16, MCF respectfully observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day and reflects on the work that still needs to be done for racial equality. |
|
The entire MCF community mourns the loss of Joanne Mullen and celebrates her rich life of 98 years. During their lifetime, Joanne and her predeceased husband, Ed, restored their 1773 pre-Revolutionary War home, Walnford on Crosswicks Creek in the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township. In 1976, the estate was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1985, the couple donated Walnford to the Monmouth County Parks System (MCPS). Members of the public can still visit and enjoy the home and grounds today as part of Historic Walnford. We are grateful for Joanne and Ed’s contributions to MCPS and MCF over the years. |
|
|
Winter may be the most tempting time to feed wildlife, when temperatures drop, snow and ice cover the ground, and plant life is more dormant. However, doing so causes more interference with the natural, healthy balance between wildlife populations and their habitat. Click here to learn more. |
|
Monmouth County Park System is one of the best in the country. We are fortunate to have over 30 park areas comprised of 18,000 acres of land and a wide-range of interactive programming for all ages throughout the locations. We recommend their Winter Park Scavenger Hunt for kids or adults young at heart while you are exploring our parks! |
|
|
Mark your Calendars!
With the new year underway, please save the dates for signature MCF events on preserved properties in the coming months!
|
|
Saturday, May 13, 2023 afternoon
Bayonet Farm, Holmdel
Barbecue picnic, craft beer and wine, live music, facepainting, nature and wildlife encounters, crafts and more
|
|
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 evening
Fairway Farm, Middletown
Elegant food and cocktails, live music, dancing, exclusive auction, and more
|
|
|
www.monmouthconservation.org _ (732) 671-7000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
