Partnering to Protect Wildlife in Central NJ 

Earlier this month, nearly fifty conservation professionals gathered at Duke Farms for a day of strategy on land preservation and wildlife.

This roundtable, the most recent product of a partnership between the Center for Conservation at Duke Farms, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Fish and Wildlife, and the Green Acres Program, built off the success of December’s event, which convened land management staff, preservation and stewardship non-profits, state partners, county planners, and township officials from Central New Jersey around the Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey (CHANJ) tools. 

The CHANJ project, created by NJDEP, includes mapping that models important connectivity areas for terrestrial wildlife throughout New Jersey. Animals move between habitats for shelter, food, and mates, and this CHANJ mapping tool identifies the pathways that remain to support these vital movements, however short or long they may be. As pressure from development increases, migration across the state, especially throughout central New Jersey where I-78 and I-195 create hazardous boundaries for native wildlife, is becoming exceedingly difficult.

Tools of CHANJ

https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/conservation/tools-of-chanj/

August’s roundtable brought together more municipal and county representatives than ever, and attendees had the opportunity to hear from the Land Conservancy of NJ, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF), Montgomery Township, and the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) about the use of the CHANJ tools in their own efforts and the enduring importance of partnerships.  

During one success story, Sandy Urgo, Vice President at the Land Conservancy of NJ, reflected that the CHANJ mapping provides a "science-based approach and the ability to identify highly critical parcels that are not easily identifiable on the average map." Richard Dodds, Regional Manager at NJCF, explained how non-profits can assist with demolition of structures prior to a property being preserved, and Dave Clapp, Resource Conservation Program Manager at SADC, presented new opportunities for woodland preservation under Public Law 2025 c. 287.

Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space and Stewardship Director at Montgomery Township, shared how the township's open space tax has helped the township preserve key properties, resulting in 39% of the township preserved. As Lauren put it, "the CHANJ narrative helps us evaluate properties, and is another tool in the toolbox" that guides acquisition decision making.  

Moving forward, Duke Farms, NJDEP Fish and Wildlife, and the Green Acres Program will host quarterly convenings to continue to advance habitat connectivity partnership and planning within Central NJ. 

To get involved with the efforts of the Planning Alliance in Central NJ, please reach out to our Community-Led Conservation Coordinator, Lindsay Brubaker.