Morris County Commissioners approved $1.8 million to preserve 65+ acres across three municipalities, including Mendham.
MENDHAM, NJ — Three projects, totaling 65 acres, have been approved to split $1.8 million in open space preservation grants, after recommendations made by the Morris County’s Open Space Trust Fund Committee were approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
The three projects, spanning from recreational spaces to vital ecological areas, are located in Denville, Madison and Mendham, with sizes ranging from 3.5 to 51 acres.
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners voted last week to approve the latest round of funding from the county’s 2024 Open Space Program, which includes roughly $447,234 for Mendham.
“We are proud to approve these projects for funding, as they protect critical habitats, expand recreational opportunities, and ensure the long-term health of our environment,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw.
The board had previously received recommendations from the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund Committee to allocate part of the funding for the expansion of Mendham’s Schiff Preserve.
The proposed $447,234 grant would fund the acquisition of 11 acres, with the Raritan Headwaters Association as the applicant.
Located along the Somerset County border, the Schiff Preserve Addition borders the North Branch of the Raritan River and includes a conservation easement to protect Category One waters and steep slopes.
Once acquired, the property will be transferred to the Schiff Natural Lands Trust, expanding their existing Nature Preserve. The newly acquired land would be managed for conservation and passive recreation, officials said.
“Since 1994, we’ve preserved more than 18,300 acres of open space, which is an area larger than the Township of Parsippany, reflecting our commitment to protecting and enhancing the quality of life for all residents,” Shaw added.
Funding for the project comes from a voter-approved preservation fund, which supports farmland and historic preservation, county park acquisitions, trail development and the purchase of flood-prone properties.
The Schiff Nature Preserve, originally a 340-acre tract in Mendham Township and Mendham Borough, has expanded to 768 acres across Mendham and Chester, and is now managed by the Schiff Natural Lands Trust, Inc.
The trust privately owns and oversees four nature preserves, open to the public from dawn to dusk for passive recreational activities such as walking, hiking, dog walking, bird watching, photography and picnicking.