New Jersey Resources has announced a five-year, $500,000 funding commitment to the Monmouth Conservation Foundation to restore and improve the Scudder Preserve, an important natural habitat in Middletown, Monmouth County.
The gift is part of NJR’s 2023 pledge to commit up to $2 million through its Coastal Climate Initiative (CCI) to environmental stewardship and education efforts in New Jersey. NJR will also seek opportunities for its employees to collaborate with MCF on future volunteerism and education efforts.
“New Jersey Resources understands that more resilient and sustainable communities make our business stronger too, and we’re committed to making a positive impact through our Coastal Climate Initiative and our broader charitable efforts,” said Steve Westhoven, president and CEO of New Jersey Resources. “Providing this gift to restore and improve Scudder Preserve is a rare opportunity to make a significant difference with a single parcel of property that will benefit the local community for years to come.”
Scudder Preserve is a 90-acre, densely wooded, preserved habitat, which is home to century forest, grasslands, streams and riparian corridors, nature trails, several ponds, and a home. The property was originally owned by the Scudder family, who donated conservation easements to MCF and later donated the 90-acre property to New Jersey Audubon Society (NJA). Earlier this year, NJA transferred ownership of the property to MCF, a nonprofit land trust that focuses on open space preservation.
“New Jersey Resources shares our vision of environmental stewardship within our local community,” said William Kastning, executive director of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation. “Teaming up with NJR through this agreement, we’re able to actively demonstrate sustainability and inspire the vision to expand education and inspire land stewardship for future generations.
“NJR’s dedication, both in funding and attention to local communities, is invaluable,” Kastning said. “With their support and collaboration, we’re transforming Scudder Preserve into the natural sanctuary Monmouth County residents have been longing for.”
NJR’s funding will support specific, actionable strategies of MCF’s plan for the preserve:
- Conduct a comprehensive natural resource inventory;
- Devise and implement a site restoration and management plan;
- Assess and devise a climate resilient public access strategy; and,
- Build and launch an educational outreach program at Scudder Preserve.
In whole, these efforts will result in forest restoration and habitat management to reduce invasive species, restore biodiversity and ecosystem function, including water quality benefits, greater climate resilience from native planting, and site improvements that reduce erosion and mitigate storm- and flood-water flows. The work will focus on expanding public access and education through trail and facility improvements, allowing local communities to benefit from open space and nature.
In addition to the support from NJR, MCF previously announced it had secured a private philanthropic gift of $1 million, providing seed support for MCF’s transition into its ongoing management of Scudder Preserve.
This project adds to NJR’s broader sustainability efforts, demonstrated in part through CCI. Over the last year NJR has successfully continued to incorporate sustainability across its business. A few highlights include:
- Announced a milestone five-year funding commitment of $560,000 from its charitable foundation to advance local environmental improvements in partnership with New Jersey Audubon.
- Provided nearly $2 million in charitable and volunteer support to community nonprofits in NJR’s last fiscal year, including approximately 4,000 hours of volunteer service – nearly double the amount of the previous year.
- Achieved the highest single-year investment of $59 million in New Jersey Natural Gas’ energy-efficiency programs – cutting carbon emissions by helping customers reduce their energy consumption.
- Continued to advance cutting-edge, lower-carbon energy solutions, including the installation of carbon capture technology and high-efficiency gas heat pumps in NJR’s own facilities.
- Construction of North America’s largest capped landfill solar array and largest floating solar array – both located in New Jersey.
- Named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek for the fifth consecutive year – one of only 156 companies nationwide to be recognized every year since 2020.
About New Jersey Resources
New Jersey Resources is a Fortune 1000 company that, through its subsidiaries, provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution, asset management and home services.
About Monmouth Conservation Foundation
Founded in 1977, Monmouth Conservation Foundation is an independent nonprofit land trust that has preserved more than 9,400 acres of green space in Monmouth County. Accredited by the Land Trust Commission since 2014, MCF collaborates with private and public partners to acquire and preserve open space and farmland and conserve natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability.
