For most people, Green Acres conjures up images of Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor, but for those engaged in land preservation work, it has a far greater significance.

New Jersey’s Green Acres program, which predates the TV sitcom by four years, was created in 1961 to preserve the state’s rich natural, historic and cultural heritage. Overall, the program has directly protected more than 681,000 acres of open space and parkland and has funded 1,256 local and nonprofit park development and stewardship projects in communities statewide.

For Hunterdon Land Trust, the importance of Green Acres funding cannot be understated. Just ask our Director of Land Acquisition Jacqueline Middleton. “Every one of our preserves that the public can access exists because of Green Acres funding,” Middleton says, as her eyes run down columns listing preserves and funding sources. She nods in confirmation, “It’s critical, absolutely critical. We couldn’t have protected the thousands of acres we have without this funding.”

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Whether you look back to our earlier preservation victories such as Zega-Lockatong in Delaware Township, Quakertown in Franklin Township and Muddy Run or Idell in Kingwood Township, to our more recent work adding acreage to Tower Hill Reserve in Bethlehem Township, Green Acres funding played a vital role. Green Acres funding — to the tune of $6,450,000 – for Hunterdon Land Trust projects helped make all this happen.

This year, Green Acres awarded HLT $500,000, double the level of funding provided to us in 2019. Our increased funding is a result of our notable track record of acquiring land and preserving it as parkland that benefits the public by both protecting our natural resources and providing passive recreation.

Middleton explained how it works. “When we apply for Green Acres funding, it covers the Hunterdon County region,” she said. “We have a very strategic approach guided by land protection criteria that we use as an evaluation tool every time we are considering a new project. This supports our Land Acquisition and Stewardship Committee in their review of each project to help determine whether we will pursue it.”

Green Acres grants need to be matched, so for every dollar we receive from this funding source, we need to find another dollar from another source. “While Green Acres funding is important, it only covers 50% of the land purchase price and related technical reports,” Middleton said.

Additional funding comes from a number of sources, and Middleton noted one in particular. “Hunterdon County has consistently been a big funder and such a wonderful supporter of our projects, and we are grateful to them.”