Zega-Lockatong Preserve - Peters' Property

Margaret Waldock and Tracey Costanzo study the maps of the property

A meadow in the Peters' Property

Frenchtown, NJ, May 24, 2006 - A joint effort by the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance and Hunterdon County results in the permanent protection of 102 acres adjoining the Lockatong Creek in Delaware Township. This new acquisition adds 102 acres to the adjoining Wescott and Zega Lockatong Preserves.

An undeveloped 102-acre property consisting of mature woodlands and open meadows along the Lockatong Creek in Delaware Township has been preserved through the joint efforts of the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance (HLTA) and Hunterdon County. The property, previously owned by the late Ralph Peters of McLean, Virginia, is directly adjacent to Hunterdon County's Wescott Preserve and allowed for the extension of a hiking trail from the HLTA's Zega Lockatong Preserve, through the Wescott Preserve, to the newly acquired property.

"By choosing to sell his land for conservation purposes, Mr. Peters has allowed us to add to existing preserved land in the area, helping the land trust build a contiguous greenway of preserved property along the Lockatong Creek. We are grateful for his commitment to this effort," commented Margaret Waldock, Hunterdon Land Trust executive director. "We are also grateful for the participation of The Hunterdon County Freeholders and Kevin Richardson of the Hunterdon County Open Space Trust Fund. Without their support, this project would not have been possible." The land trust and the county purchased the property jointly for a sum of $1,086,034 with the county contributing $786,034 from its Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund and the land trust contributing $300,000 towards the purchase price using funds it received through the New Jersey Green Acres program.

The land trust and the county have agreed to manage the property in partnership, limiting future uses to passive recreation such as hiking and cross country skiing. "We are pleased to have worked with the land trust and Mr. Peters to preserve this property. Their participation and efforts ensures that future generations of Hunterdon County residents and visitors will enjoy the natural beauty of our county. This acquisition also exemplifies our cooperative efforts with HLTA in Delaware Township, which began in 2003 and has resulted in assembling over 250 acres of contiguous open space along the Lockatong Creek," remarked Kevin Richardson of the County's Open Space Trust Fund Program. Forest bird species including pileated woodpeckers and owls have been identified on the property and neighbors have reported seeing a golden eagle and bald eagles in the area, according to Ms. Waldock.

Mr. Peters has a long standing commitment to land preservation. He permanently protected his ranch located near Helena, Montana with a conservation easement. He had also encumbered a portion of the property acquired by the county and land trust with a conservation easement held by the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. When asked why he chose to preserve his property, Mr. Peters said, "I felt very deeply that this land should be preserved for future generations. The wildlife and natural beauty of this property is exceptional. I did not want to see it compromised by development."