Frequently Asked Questions

What is D&R Greenway Land Trust?

D&R Greenway Land Trust is central New Jersey's non-profit land preservation organization. We permanently protect watershed lands and large-scale landscapes. Our operating region consists of over 1,500 square miles, encompassing portions of the Delaware, Raritan and Millstone River watersheds and the D&R Canal. This includes Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Burlington and Monmouth counties. We are also providing assistance to Salem County. We have a staff of eight full-time and five part-time professionals.

D&R Greenway Land Trust's mission is to:

Preserve and protect a permanent network of natural lands and open spaces, creating the conditions for a healthy and diverse environment to flourish
Provide the public with appropriate access to these areas, encouraging active lifestyles and a greater appreciation of the natural world
Inspire a conservation ethic promoting policies, educational programs and partnerships that result in a public commitment to land preservation

What do we do?
D&R Greenway Land Trust's professional staff works directly with landowners to develop customized preservation solutions that meet each individual's personal and financial goals. We purchase land and conservation easements, creating nature preserves, protected farms and public parks. We bring together partners to leverage open space dollars and we employ conservation tax benefits to show landowners that land preservation is a viable financial choice.

We also offer consulting services to municipalities and grassroots open space groups to help them achieve land preservation goals. These services include negotiation with landowners, overseeing the preparation of technical reports, bringing together public and private sources of funding, and facilitating the transaction through to closing.

Who owns the land that is preserved?
There are several ways to carry out a transaction to preserve land. In many cases, the original landowners still own the land, but have simply given over the right to develop the land (D&R Greenway Land Trust places a conservation easement on the land). In other cases, D&R Greenway Land Trust owns the land (the land is bought in fee). Other times municipalities, county governments, or other organizations own the land (here, D&R Greenway Land Trust is a facilitator in the process where a third party buys the land).

How do we fund land preservation?
Land acquisition dollars are accessed through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Green Acres Program and the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) - both funded by the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT); county and municipal open space funds, and, in some cases, donated by foundations and individuals. Our operating budget is funded entirely through private donations from individuals, local businesses, corporations and foundations. These critical operating funds are contributed through sponsorships, special events and galas, annual donations, Taplin Circle membership, and bequests. The ongoing management of preserved lands is a major priority. In 2005, D&R Greenway hired its first director of stewardship to oversee the care of our preserved lands. There are several projects underway and volunteer groups and individuals are encouraged to participate in our stewardship program.

What are our accomplishments?
Since 1989, D&R Greenway Land Trust has nearly 10,000 acres of land valued at over $219 million, representing 175 separate preservation transactions.

Specific successes include...

The Institute Woods, 589 acres preserved in Princeton Township
Coventry Farm and Greenway Meadows, a total of 225 acres protected, devoted to passive and active recreation in Princeton Township
United Water, 398 acres preserved in Lambertville, ensuring the continued quality of water for 1,626 customers in Lambertville and West Amwell.
Carson Road Woods, 186 acres protected in Lawrence Township
A total of over 5,400 acres preserved in the Sourlands, where we are partnering with the State of New Jersey to develop a Sourlands preservation initiative and acquire over properties in the Sourlands, protecting the headwaters of many of the streams in our area
Establishing the first Sister Land Trust partnership between a U.S. and non-U.S. regional land trust with Amigos de Calakmul in Mexico, to promote preservation of lands in the Sourlands and the Yucatán that are critical summer and winter habitat for neo-tropical migrating birds
Saved 337 acres of St. Michael's Lands in Hopewell Township with a groundswell movement of local citizens, organizations, state and local involvement.

Are the preserved properties open to public access?
Public access to protected lands depends on the agreement under which the land is protected. Many of the lands are available for all to enjoy. Greenway Meadows Park, Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh, the Institute Lands, the Northern Stony Brook Preserve, and Cedar Ridge all have public access trails. Click here for more information.

What is the Johnson Education Center?

In spring 2006, D&R Greenway Land Trust opened the Johnson Education Center, an innovative and unique resource for the land preservation community, a place where our partners can learn, share resources, and collaborate to leverage land preservation results. In addition to serving as our permanent home, the Johnson Education Center plans programs and resources to engage and strengthen the capacity of municipalities, grassroots organizations and other groups to protect and effectively manage land. D&R Greenway Land Trust will provide hands-on education, technical assistance and direct action to help our partners achieve their goals. Through the Johnson Education Center we hope to pass on
our proven models, tools and techniques that result in land preservation success!

How can I get involved?

protect your land
become a contributing member
act as an ambassador for D&R Greenway Land Trust and for land protection
attend events and participate in D&R Greenway Land Trust activities and initiatives
assist with outreach to landowners
assist with individual and corporate fundraising

Your support is essential. The benefits of land preservation are real and last forever - clean water in sufficient quantity to meet our region's needs, protected habitat for animals, birds and plants and a better, healthier quality of life for us all. To become a partner in land preservation, please make a gift online or send your contribution to D&R Greenway Land Trust, One Preservation Place, Princeton, NJ 08540. For more information, please call us at 609-924-4646 or email. Thank you.