Crystal Springs

In 2004, Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance (HLTA) partnered with the New Jersey Green Acres Program, New Jersey Water Supply Authority, the County of Hunterdon, Lebanon Township, and Washington Township Land Trust to preserve a 290-acre parcel valued at $2.27 million in Lebanon Township.

This preservation effort is a great example of partners working together to save land with critical resources in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.

The Crystal Springs site is located in the core of the New Jersey Highlands region and includes portions of both Hunterdon and Morris Counties. The property consists of 290 acres of fields, wetlands, ponds and woodlands and is adjacent to land previously preserved by both the Township of Lebanon and the County of Hunterdon.

The preservation of this property in the New Jersey Highlands region creates a contiguous preserved landmass of more than 900 acres of parkland and farmland and helps to protect the Category One-designated Spruce Run Stream.

The County of Hunterdon will manage the acquired land as a park to be used for passive recreation. Crystal Springs helps to link county parks in the area, creating a greenway linking Point Mountain Reservation, September Farms (formerly Camp Watchung) and the Mountain Farm section of the Teetertown Ravine Nature Preserve. In addition, Hunterdon officials plan to manage a portion of the property as grassland bird habitat, which is recognized as one of New Jersey?s most critical wildlife habitats.

The preserved land serves as habitat to State-designated threatened species such as the Great Blue heron and wood turtle and the Bog turtle, which has been designated an endangered species by Federal authorities. In addition, the property?s contiguous forest, which includes a mature mixed hardwood forest, red maple swamp, and hemlock grove, supports forest interior songbirds.