National Forest Foundation Conservation Campaign Sites

Highlands Restoration

New Jersey Highlands, New Jersey

NJ Highlands Restoration

View our Highlands Project video

The New Jersey Highlands encompasses nearly 860,000 acres in the northwest part of the state – a region that includes 88 municipalities and parts of seven counties. With its ribbons of forested ridges, the area offers stunning vistas of an ancient landscape and serves as a vital source of drinking water for over half of New Jersey residents.

In June 2010, the Trust for Public Land, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey (TLC-NJ) and partners purchased the 135-acre Rezamir Tract property in Mount Olive Township — a property already in the process of subdivision and development. Immediately upon closing, TLC-NJ assumed ownership, making the property the centerpiece of their South Branch Preserve, which will one day encompass 1,000 acres.

The Rezamir Tract is located in the New Jersey Highlands Preservation Area and contains fragile headwater streams, springs and wetlands flowing to the South Branch of the Raritan River Category 1 trout production waters. These streams eventually feed Spruce Run Reservoir and provide drinking water for more than one million residents.

A unique partnership of TLC-NJ and the National Forest Foundation, with support from El Paso Corporation, has propelled the restoration of this damaged but critical slice of the Highlands. Recently completed restoration work includes: removing culverts to restore natural stream flows, constructing several vernal pools, installing a deer fence to facilitate recovery of herbaceous and shrub vegetation; rehabilitating roads and planting them with native vegetation, and engaging the community through collaborative planning meetings and volunteer efforts.

The NFF and partners are working on continued and expanded restoration of key sites in the Highlands, engaging diverse community partners and helping to ensure that this critical watershed and valued open space will always be a treasure that New Jersey can enjoy.

See our complete campaign description