Allaire State Park’s Stunning Fall Foliage. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Photo by Jena Cosimo
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Dear Friend of MCF,
We are officially at peak fall foliage! Get out there and enjoy the stunning colors in our many parks, forests, and green spaces.
The MCF team took part in festivities in recent weeks like Earth Care Day at Cheesequake State Park, Thompson Park Day, “Halloween at Jack-o-Lantern Woods” at Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch, and the Halloween Hullabaloo at Middletown’s Poricy Park. Our state, county, and municipal parks offer something for everyone - young to old, even our furry friends!
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The Keene Family at Halloween at Jack-o-Lantern Woods (Photo by Nan Simon) and The Cosimo dogs donning their costumes (Photo by Jena Cosimo) |
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Please join us this month to Lunch & Shop at our annual Holiday Style Luncheon and Shopping Spree (See below for details). The event features a range of local vendors and guest speaker Lee Woodruff - journalist, best-selling author, and co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which helps military veterans and their families.
November is an important month with Election Day and Veterans Day, when we can exercise our right to vote for public officials who set policies that impact our daily lives, and when we pay tribute to our military veterans who honorably served to protect our democracy. It’s also a time to share our gratitude as we come together on Thanksgiving.
Thank you for your continued support to help us #KeepMonmouthGreen and preserve our open space and farmland. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Cordially,
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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Jackson Woods Park, a 13-acre natural green space owned by the City of Long Branch, was created in 1991 when a farmhouse and wetlands property that had been slated for redevelopment was protected as open space through a major Green Acres grant. Although preserved, the area was left unattended, became overgrown, and then further damaged by Superstorm Sandy. In the recent past, residents were frankly afraid to enter the park, which was littered with garbage and lacking in amenities. The site was neglected and underused until April 2018 when a group of concerned citizens – the Friends of Jackson Woods – formed to revitalize the park to benefit the community. With support from the City of Long Branch and Mayor John Pallone, MCF and many local volunteer organizations, along with the leadership, passion, and efforts of the Friends of Jackson Woods, its transformation is now well underway.
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MCF Trustee Honored for Impact on Business in New Jersey |
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L-R: Barbara Smith, Shari O’Connor, Erin Taffin, Valerie Montecalvo, Marta Lefsky Darden, and Robin Klein |
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Congratulations to Valerie Montecalvo, President of the Bayshore Family of Companies, on being named one of the NJBIZ Best 50 Women in Business 2022! Valerie has been a dedicated member of MCF’s Board of Trustees for more than six years, currently serving on the Executive and Acquisition Committees. The program recognizes women who have made a significant impact on business in New Jersey and the community at large. |
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Bayshore Recycling (Bayshore) and its family of companies consists of nine separate and distinct recycling operations within its 58-acre eco-complex and energy campus in the Keasbey section of Woodbridge Township, NJ, specializing in solutions for proper, environmentally sensitive recycling and solid waste management. The Montecalvo Family and Bayshore Family of Companies are loyal supporters of MCF and passionate advocates for our environment and farmland preservation. |
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On behalf of the trustees and staff of MCF, thanks to all of you who enable our work and help us to protect the splendid natural resources of Monmouth County! Thanks as well to our veterans and all who sacrificed for protecting our democracy. We wholeheartedly appreciate you during this season of thanks, and always. |
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Wednesday, November 30, 2022 - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Holiday Style Boutique Open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Luncheon and program begin promptly at 12:00 p.m.
Shopping continues 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
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Featuring keynote by Lee Woodruff
Journalist, best-selling author,
public speaker, and
co-founder of the
Bob Woodruff Foundation
Proceeds support MCF’s charitable work to preserve open space and farmland for future generations.
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With gift-giving season and sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, remember you can support MCF when you shop at Amazon. Simply visit Amazon Smile and designate Monmouth Conservation Foundation as your charity, then 0.5% of the purchase price of every eligible item you buy will be donated to support our work. With a few clicks and no extra cost to you, your shopping can support MCF!
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Growlers of Craft Beer Brewed by Triumph Brewing Co. Restaurant & Brewery, served at MCF’s Spring for Conservation event in May 2022 at Bayonet Farm |
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The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced the launch of “Brewed and Distilled in Monmouth” last month. The initiative is focused on the promotion of the breweries, distilleries, and wineries in Monmouth County, with the first phase featuring a user-friendly website to assist residents and visitors in finding information about brewing, distilling, and wine-making sites, as well as the local restaurants and businesses surrounding them.
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Aiming to help these small businesses thrive in our communities, the program highlights the local products made in these facilities. It is a wonderful complement to Grown in Monmouth, which helps retain and grow our county’s agriculture industry.
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As we approach the end of the calendar year, it’s the perfect time to get each other’s finances in order. |
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Naming MCF as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other qualified retirement plan is simple, flexible, and tax efficient. If you were aged 70 ½ or older by January 1, 2020, you can make an annual contribution up to $100,000 directly from your traditional IRA to MCF without it being considered a taxable distribution. This can potentially offset taxable income from your annual required minimum distribution (RMD) and may be a win-win for donors who want to support nonprofits in a tax advantaged way.
Please consult your financial advisor or IRA administrator to learn more. MCF does not render tax or legal advice, but we are happy to discuss your philanthropic and estate planning goals anytime. Please contact me via email or call 732.671.7000 or visit our Nilson Society legacy giving website for more information.
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Last week marked the 10-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy making landfall in New Jersey. Click here for our feature story, outlining how land preservation plays a critical role in the sustainability of our coastal home and sits centrally in the paradox of booming development amidst mounting environmental pressures. We reflect on Sandy’s shattering impacts and share ways New Jersey is safeguarding the future through land preservation and natural climate solutions.
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A residential area of Sea Bright, New Jersey immediately after Sandy,
then four years later in progress being preserved as green space
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Photo: Fred Yahn, Eagle Drone Solutions, LLC |
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www.monmouthconservation.org _ (732) 671-7000
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