Hunterdon Land Trust (HLT) is thrilled to announce another farmland preservation success in Delaware Township. The project is a testament to the perseverance and patience of the landowner who was determined to see her farm preserved.
Gale Byrnes first approached HLT in February 2018 to learn about her options for preserving her property after visiting HLT’s booth at its farmers market. Over the years, she stayed in touch with HLT and patiently waited until the pieces were in place to make preservation possible. With a degree in animal science and a lifelong connection to agriculture and open land, Byrnes said preservation “has been a lifelong vocation, combining my education and love of open lands.”
The Byrnes farm is adjacent to preserved open space, with another preserved farm directly across the street. Preserving the property expands an important corridor of protected land. Plum Brook runs along the rear of the property, where a separate conservation easement protects water resources.
For Byrnes, preserving the farm was about more than protecting the land itself. She understands the importance of permanent preservation and its benefits to the public and future generations. “I could have sold to developers but chose preservation to protect wildlife and the historical landscape,” she explained.
HLT was named Delaware Township’s Open Space Coordinator last year, although HLT had opened its own file on the Byrnes property back in 2018. Jacqueline Middleton, HLT’s Senior Director of Land Acquisition and Stewardship, is grateful for the opportunity to work with landowners like Byrnes.
“This project was especially rewarding because I first met Gale in 2018,” Middleton said. “I had been working to help her realize her dream of preserving her farm before HLT began its official role with Delaware Township.”
Middleton and Byrnes attended the closing on October 2 and reminisced about their first meeting more than eight years ago. Byrnes said she was glad to know that Middleton was “on her side” and thankful to HLT for helping her navigate the preservation process. Middleton, in turn, thanked Byrnes for her perseverance and patience throughout the years.
The preservation of the Byrnes farm adds another important connection to Delaware Township’s network of protected farms and open space. It also demonstrates what can happen when a landowner is committed to seeing a conservation vision through, no matter how long the process takes.
HLT wants to thank Delaware Township, the State Agriculture Development Committee, and most importantly Gale Byrnes for all their efforts in preserving this farm.
HLT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to foster healthy ecosystems and communities in the Hunterdon County region through permanent preservation of open space and farmland, stewardship of natural resources, and cultivation of the Dvoor Farm as a center for inspiration, education, and connection. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the organization has helped protect more than 12,800 acres. To learn more, visit www.hunterdonlandtrust.org.
