New Jersey Voters Approve $400 Million for Preservation Programs

Open Space, farmland and historic preservation efforts in New Jersey gained ground Tuesday, when voters approved a statewide referendum to add $400 million to the State’s preservation programs. New Jersey’s Green Acres, Farmland Preservation and Historic Trust programs can now continue their success in protecting clean drinking water, parks and natural areas, habitat for fish and wildlife, working farms and historic sites.

The public has historically supported New Jersey’s preservation efforts. Since 1961, voters have approved 13 ballot measures in support of these valued programs. The $400 million approved by voters on November 3rd comes at a critical time as preservation dollars have been exhausted from the State’s coffers, but interest in preservation remains high. Approved in one of the toughest economic times in recent history, these results demonstrate that citizens overwhelmingly support open space and other preservation efforts in good times and bad.

With the newly secured funds, New Jersey can now continue its successful protection of northern New Jersey’s Highlands Region, a land area of over 800,000 acres that provides drinking water to over 5.4 million people in the State and provides outdoor recreational opportunities for citizens from New York City to the Lehigh Valley.

The Appalachian Mountain Club is a member of the New Jersey Keep It Green Campaign, a coalition of 135 organizations working to ensure that preservation funds continue to be available in the Garden State. Visit the New Jersey Keep It Green Campaign ‘s website at http://www.njkeepitgreen.org/ for more information on New Jersey’s preservation programs and how you can get involved.

Mid-Atlantic Highlands Land Conservation Bolstered with New Federal Funding

The 4-State Highlands region of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania received a big boost on October 29th when Congress approved $4 million to fund conservation of the Highlands’ most critically important lands. This is great news for the continued success of AMC’s Mid-Atlantic Highlands program.

Under the 2004 Highlands Conservation Act (HCA), Congress is authorized to approve $10 million a year for land conservation partnership projects that permanently protect high conservation value lands within the 4-state, 3.5 million acre Highlands Region. Unfortunately, since 2004 only $5.2 million in total has been allocated. The recently approved Interior Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010, which includes $4 million in funding for the Highlands Conservation Act, will be the most funding that the program has ever received.

With land prices low and interest in conservation strong, the increased funds in 2010 will go a long way. AMC and our partners would like to thank our Highlands’ region congressional delegations in Washington D.C. for ensuring that $4 million in funds will be available for the upcoming year.

Each year, governors of the four Highlands states may submit land conservation projects in the Highlands for funding not to exceed fifty-percent of the total cost; projects must be consistent with areas identified as having high resource value. The Fiscal Year 2010 HCA funds will go towards Ethel Walker, Scoville and Naugatuck/Mad River Headwaters properties in Connecticut; Greater Sterling Forest in New York; New Jersey's Northern Highlands; and Texter Mountain in Pennsylvania. For more information on these projects http://www.outdoors.org/pdf/upload/FY10_HCA_FL_FactSheets.pdf

The Highlands region not only provides recreational opportunities to 25 million people who live within a one-hour drive, but also clean and plentiful drinking water to millions of residents of this region as well as critical habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species. The Highlands are a treasure in need of protection, and AMC continues to promote full funding of the Highlands Conservation Act, as well as helping specific land conservation efforts to move forward.

Come explore the Highlands and see how AMC is working to protect and enhance recreational opportunities and land conservation by visiting our website www.outdoors.org/hikethehighlands and continue to follow our blog. If you’d like to receive more information on the Mid-Atlantic Highlands and how you can help advance conservation efforts, join our Conservation Action Network at http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/action/.

Pictures: (Top Left) FY 2010 HCA NJ Project: Lake on the Northern Highlands tract By Jada Jackson, State of NJ Div. of Parks & Forestry. (Middle Right) FY 2010 HCA NY project: “Greater Sterling Forest”Waterfall on a tributary of the Ramapo River in NY’s Sterling Forest By Geoff Welch, Ramapo River Committee.

Calling all City Kids…Time to Head to the Country

GUEST BLOG
Rebecca Morley, Devine + Powers

It’s amazing what getting out of downtown Philadelphia for a day can do for the soul. A couple weeks ago I took a day trip out to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site for a day of hiking and apple-picking, and within just a few short minutes of being out in the open space I felt refreshed. Perhaps it was the absence of pavement and tall buildings that made me feel like I had a little more room to breathe, or the lack of people and cars rushing around that instantly made me exhale.

I think we city kids think anything not within walking distance, or in between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, feels like a world away. Well good news – lots of great day trips are closer than you might think. When I first started on my venture out to Hopewell Furnace I was not exactly sure how long it was going to take, and was amazed that from door to door it only took me about 45 minutes (this included going to pick up a PhillyCarShare car I rented to get out there). Getting there was much faster than I anticipated and it was also extremely easy to find.

I was there on National Public Lands Day to help with event planning for a day of activities sponsored by Hopewell Furnace and AMC to honor National Public Lands Day and to launch AMC’s new Pennsylvania Highlands Recreation Map & Guide. In addition to the people coming to our event, I was impressed to see so many other families and groups of friends there on their own walking on the trails, apple-picking and biking. If you aren’t up for one of the many activities available, the surroundings are gorgeous and alone are worth the trip – so maybe opt for bringing a picnic lunch and a book instead.

While downtown Philadelphia certainly has nice outdoor spaces such as Rittenhouse Square and Kelly Drive, it was a nice change of pace to get out of the city for a day and do something outside of my ordinary routine. I had never gone apple-picking before, and although I only found about a dozen apples, it was a ton of fun. Although I did not have time to do all of the activities, now I have the perfect excuse to go back!

So for those of you who have yet to make it beyond the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, grab some of your friends and head out to Hopewell Furnace. It’s the perfect day trip -- close, convenient, and a calming change of pace from the city.

AMC Promotes New PA Highlands Recreation Map to Ohh’s and Ahhs’ in Philly

The hustle and bustle of Philadelphia buzzed around the Schuylkill Banks on October 8th as AMC unveiled its new PA Highlands Regional Recreation Map and Guide. Dog-walkers, families, business people, joggers, bicyclists and paddlers enjoyed the beautiful fall day and picked up free copies of the new map, highlighting recreational opportunities throughout the 13-county PA Highlands Region. Speakers at the event shared their excitement for conservation efforts, trail development and the family-friendly hiking, biking and paddling guides available through the AMC in the Pennsylvania Highlands and Southeastern Pennsylvania.

To promote healthy, active lifestyles and to make it easier for people to get outdoors the AMC is distributing the new PA Highlands Regional Recreation Map and Guide for free, featuring close-to-home recreational opportunities including trail and boat access points, safety tips, and points of interest.

Commissioner for the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, Michael DiBerardinis said, “Outdoor recreational opportunities, such as those available in the Pennsylvania Highlands, are one of the best ways for children to connect with the nature. The new Pennsylvania Highlands Regional Recreation Map provides families and organizations in Philadelphia with an easy-to-use resource to help plan activities in the wild lands outside of the city.”

Maps are available at outfitter shops, park offices and other locations throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania as well as by visiting: www.outdoors.org/hikethehighlands/ Also available are our fabulous Hike the Highlands Cards that feature 22 unique hikes throughout the Pennsylvania Highlands. The cards can be downloaded or ordered through our website.

The October 8th event in Philadelphia was co-hosted by the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, which is working on the redevelopment of the Tidal Schuylkill River and expanding the Schuylkill River Trail to the Delaware River. Joseph Syrnick of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation spoke about the work of his organization and the incredible recreational resources along the river, connecting Philadelphia residents to the Pennsylvania Highlands by bike and foot.

Sherry Peck of the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program added that AMC’s new map and guide is “just another great resource AMC has created to encourage families and the public to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors close to home in healthy, safe and affordable ways.”
Jennifer Heisey, AMC’s Mid-Atlantic Recreation Planner emceed the event and also extolled the many benefits of AMC’s new map,“The Pennsylvania Highlands Regional Recreation Map and Guide is the newest and best way to explore the Pennsylvania Highlands,” said Jennifer Heisey, Mid-Atlantic Recreation Planner for the Appalachian Mountain Club. “The Pennsylvania Highlands is 1.9 million acres of serene forests and open space, trails and rivers all within a short drive from Philadelphia.”

For your free copy of the new recreation map and guide and AMC’s Hike the Highlands cards, visit www.outdoors.org/hikethehighlands/ or contact Jennifer Heisey: jheisey@outdoors.org, 610-868-6906.

Don't Miss Out On Prizes! Hike the Highlands Scavenger Hunt Still On Until the End of October

Fall foliage is upon is and so is the last month of the Hike the Highlands Scavenger Hunt. There are still lots of cool outdoorsy prizes!

• REI Gift Cards
• EMS Gear Rentals
• Bike Helmet & T-shirt
• Disc Golf Set
• EMS Stash Duffel Bags
• Aardvark Sports Shop Gift Certificate
• Gander Mountain Ball Caps & Nalgene water bottles
• Hiking Stick
• One-Year Membership to the Berks County Conservancy & Reuseable Grocery Bag
• And MORE...........

Wondering how you can be part of the fun? Download the scavenger hunt questions and the Hike the Highlands cards at www.outdoors.org/hikethehighlands under hiking resources. Then register and go to three of the 22 Hike the Highlands hikes to find the answers to the scavenger hunt questions. Once you had fun exploring the PA Highlands email in your three answers for the October prize drawings.

There are still lots of chances to win great prizes. Now get out into the PA Highlands!





Check out what August's winner received!


Mountainsmith Vibe II Lumbar Park


*Donated by Wildware Backcountry

Come Have Fun in Philly with AMC's Launch of the PA Highlands Regional Recreation Map & Guide

On Thursday, October 8th at 12pm join AMC under the Walnut Street Bridge in Center City Philadelphia to unveil and launch the PA Highlands Regional Recreation Map & Guide along the Schuylkill River Trail & Banks.

(2433 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19103)

This a great opportunity to get outside for lunch and pick up free copies of the PA Highlands Map & Hike the Highlands hiking cards. The map unveiling also includes a workshop on "How To's for Outdoor Exploration including how to "Leave No Trace".

Guest speakers include:

• Jennifer Heisey, Appalachian Mountain Club
  
• Joseph Syrnick, Schuylkill River Development Corporation
  
• Michael DiBerardinis, Park and Recreation Commissioner, City of Philadelphia
  
• Sherry Peck, National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! - AMC

Questions? Contact Jennifer Heisey:

jheisey@outdoors.org 610-868-6906

www.outdoors.org/hikethehighlands

AMC 's NEW PA Highlands Recreation Map Successfully Launched at Hopewell Furnace NHS

Apples, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and homemade granola bars. What more could you ask for? Well many had more than just treats but lots of fun spending time outdoors on a beautiful autumn day in the

PA Highlands on Sat. Sept. 26th.

AMC partnered with Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site on Sat. Sept. 26th for a fun family day of volunteering, apple picking, hiking, paddling, and free PA Highlands Regional Recreation maps & hiking cards.

The day began with guest speakers and the launching of the map while picking up free copies of the map & hiking cards. Then in honor of National Public Lands Day everyone hit the trails to give back. One large group hiked into the woods to clear a new trail while another group worked on the Horse-Shoe Trail. As a reward for volunteering everyone received a free one-day pass to any National Park.

After lunch, with bellies full of apples and cookies, many continued to explore Hopewell Furnace by going on hikes, a Hopewell Lake paddle, apple picking, and/or enjoyed the Hopewell Furnace's village alive with history.

A big THANK YOU to our co-host, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, volunteers and guest speakers!

*Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is one of 75 places you can explore in the PA Highlands highlighted on the PA Highlands Regional Recreation Map & Guide.

If you weren't lucky enough to join us on this special day and want to get your hands on a PA Highlands Regional Recreation Map & Guide and/or the Hike the Highlands hiking cards go to www.outdoors.org/hikethehighlands and click on hiking resources. Enjoy!