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Dear Friend of MCF,
The weather has been a bit up-and-down this winter with snowstorms sprinkled amidst some unseasonably warm days. The crocus and daffodils have popped up in recent weeks, and spring will be here before we know it.
We have a lot to share this month, including important preservation successes and park development progress. Thank you for your involvement and support in our work to #KeepMonmouthGreen.
Cordially,
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William D. Kastning, AICP
Executive Director
| THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL FUND DRIVE DONORS! | |
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The MCF Board and staff are grateful to the generous donors who made gifts to our annual fund drive from November through the end of the year. We especially thank our anonymous donor and the Montecalvo Family Foundation, who each gave a matching challenge grant!
All gifts were matched dollar for dollar throughout the drive, and on Giving Tuesday, they were triple matched! You collectively helped us to raise over $335,000 in support of our work to #KeepMonmouthGreen. We sincerely thank each of you for helping drive our work to protect the open spaces, farmland, and natural habitat which make Monmouth County so special.
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In Case You Missed It: 255 Acres Bordering Naval Weapons Station Earle Permanently Protected through Public-Private Partnership
The US Navy, Monmouth County, and MCF, in partnership with two local townships, have officially announced the preservation of two properties bordering Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle through the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program run by the US Department of Defense (DOD). The two parcels – 20 acres of mostly mature hardwood forest in Howell and 235 acres comprising a thoroughbred horse breeding and training farm in Colts Neck – represent the inaugural conservation projects achieved through this partnership, with aspirations for many more to come. The partners are planning a ceremony in the coming weeks to commemorate the pilot project in Howell and subsequent NWS Earle REPI project success in Colts Neck. Click here to read more.
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Photos by Fred Yahn, Eagle Drone Solutions | |
Surprise Bequest Makes a Powerful Impact | | |
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The MCF team is humbled and grateful to be the beneficiary of an unexpected bequest in support of our operations. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the late Monmouth County resident who had the foresight and generosity to include MCF in their estate plans, leaving a powerful legacy. We proudly welcome this individual into our Nilson Society, created to honor those who include MCF in their estate plans, just as its namesake – Gloria and Len Nilson have done.
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As a small nonprofit, estate gifts and donations allow us to leverage greater funding through matching grants from federal, state, and local government sources. For donors, estate gifts often offer a vehicle for greater giving. To learn more or to discuss your legacy, please contact us or click HERE. | | | |
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PARK DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Coming Soon to Sergeant George Ashby Memorial
As we celebrate Black History Month, MCF is pleased to share news of improvements coming to Sergeant George Ashby Memorial Park in Allentown. The park, named for New Jersey’s last surviving Civil War veteran, is adjacent to Allentown African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery. Sergeant Ashby, Sergeant James Woby, a hero in the Battle of Gettysburg, and 168 other members of the Black community – both known and unknown – who were active in the Underground Railroad or served in the Civil War, are buried in the cemetery. Given its historical significance, the cemetery is recognized as part of the Black Cemetery Network.
Thanks to a matching grant from Monmouth County’s Municipal Open Space Grant Program, the Borough of Allentown will be installing new fencing around the cemetery and making other improvements at parks in the historic Borough. Work is expected to begin this spring, conducted by Roberts Engineering Group.
In 2016, MCF dedicated funding towards the purchase of the land for Sergeant George Ashby Memorial Park. Ongoing enhancements at the park are supported by Monmouth County, the Borough of Allentown, MCF, and Allentown’s municipal open space tax. The Borough is working on plans for a future monument at the park.
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New Amenities and Plans at Shrewsbury Riverfront Park | |
New pavilion at Shrewsbury Riverfront Park.
Photo courtesy of Borough of Sea Bright. | |
Sea Bright’s Shrewsbury Riverfront Park is home to a new pavilion, and landscaping is planned in the coming months, both enabled by donations raised through MCF. Plans are underway by the Borough of Sea Bright and MCF to raise additional funds to expand the pavilion and pay homage to the historic Sea Bright Railroad Station. Another $10,000 is needed to fulfill the project. The additions will house train station memorabilia and a hoped-for clock tower, and the Borough hopes to complete the project this year. We will also host a joint dedication ceremony this summer to officially christen the park and acknowledge the donors who made it possible. | |
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Sea Bright Railroad Station with the Seabright Beach Club behind, 1920s, taken from the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge.
Photo credit: MonmouthBeachLife.com
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At its peak, 84 trains were running between Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright daily. Storms and high tides ultimately led to closure of the rail line in 1945, and it was removed in the late 1940s to make way for the new Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge construction. Today, that bridge is under renovation again, with progress easily monitored from Shrewsbury Riverfront Park. | |
Volunteers Wrangle Weeds at Jackson Woods Park | |
Photos courtesy of Friends of Jackson Woods | |
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The Friends of Jackson Woods and dedicated volunteers continue to make headway in revitalizing Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch. Thanks to MCF’s partners at the Rumson Garden Club, Friends was introduced to the Weed Wrangle® program and hosted two of their programs at the park in November and December 2023. Weed Wrangle® is a one-day volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal supervised by an expert in invasive weed management. Over the two events, volunteers including a large group from Stroke Your Eco removed invasive weeds, untangled vines from native holly trees, and, in the process, unearthed bottles, old tires, and other garbage tangled under the vines. These were the first Weed Wrangle® events to take place in New Jersey, and we hope to partner again in the future across parks in Monmouth County!
Resuming March 19, 2024, volunteers are welcome at Jackson Woods Park every Tuesday and Friday from 9 am to noon. All ages and abilities are welcome, and volunteers meet at the gazebo to work in the gardens, remove invasive vines, spread woods chips and mulch, refresh paint, and other tasks.
Click to learn more and get involved at Jackson Woods Park.
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EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS | |
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Huge Turnout for Dr. Doug Tallamy Lecture at Monmouth University
MCF is honored to have taken part in Monmouth University’s kick-off event for its 2024 Climate Crisis Teach-In. On January 23 evening, MCF hosted a reception following an engaging lecture by Dr. Doug Tallamy, best-selling author, Professor of Entomology at the University of Delaware, and Co-Founder of Homegrown National Park®. In his talk, Dr. Tallamy outlined what each of us can do in our own yard or balcony to fight climate change, create climate resiliency, and enhance the natural beauty in our surroundings. He encouraged guests to take part in Homegrown National Park®, the grassroots call-to-action to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants and creating new ecological networks. An enthusiastic, diverse crowd of more than 500 guests attended the lecture, which was followed by a thoughtful Q&A and discussion session.
Click here to watch the full lecture.
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Crowd at Dr. Tallamy’s lecture in Monmouth University’s Pollak Theater | |  |
L-R: Dr. Joe Coyle, Interim Dean, Monmouth University School of Science; Dr. Doug Tallamy; Dr. Catherine Duckett, Associate Dean, Monmouth University School of Science; Karen Keene, Director of Development and Communications, MCF; Bill Kastning, Executive Director, MCF | | |
MCF is collaborating with Monmouth University’s School of Education to develop new lesson plans, and we plan to sign on as a mission-aligned nonprofit partner with Homegrown National Park® as we greatly expand and relaunch our educational outreach programming, beginning this year. We see their focus on planting native plants as relevant, impactful, and accessible to all – even if you have a pot of soil for planting in your windowsill or patio. | |
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MCF EVENTS
Our events raise awareness of our nonprofit mission and provide critical revenue for our operations and important preservation projects.
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Join MCF at the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade! | | |
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MCF is thrilled to be the beneficiary of the 2024 Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade, taking place on Sunday, March 10, 2024! Proceeds from the cherished parade will support our operations, preservation projects, and education activities. We welcome you to join us as spectators or even to march along with us on the 1-mile parade route.
Please contact Karen Keene to register, and click here for full parade details.
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MCF’s Director of Development and Communications, Karen Keene, with her daughter, Caitlin, at the 2023 Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo courtesy of the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade. | |
MCF Earns the 2024 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency | | |
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MCF recently earned the 2024 Candid (Guidestar) Platinum Seal of Transparency! We are proud to continue to receive the highest level of recognition offered by the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. The Seal demonstrates our commitment to transparency and building confidence among our existing and potential supporters. | |
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
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