Clark Preserve

55 unspoiled, wooded-acres have been preserved in Kingwood Township thanks to the Hunterdon Land Trust. The acquisition of this important property adds to the hundreds of acres of land in the Lockatong Creek watershed already preserved by the land trust.  This project brings the land trust one step closer to their goal of creating a connected greenbelt of preserved land within the Lockatong Creek watershed to safeguard this high quality waterway, the rural character of the community and a significant water recharge area.

The preservation of these woods is the culmination of several years of effort. The owners, Jeanette and William Clark, originally contacted the Hunterdon Land Trust in 2005.  After exploring several options for the property, including subdivision and residential development, the Clarks agreed to sell to the land trust.  “This property is very important to our conservation efforts in this watershed. We are thrilled that the Clarks pursued the permanent preservation of this property so that generations to come can enjoy its unspoiled beauty,” said Margaret Waldock, executive director of the Hunterdon Land Trust.  “We are also grateful to our partners, the state of New Jersey, Hunterdon County, and Kingwood Township for working with us to protect this important property from development.”

The Hunterdon Land Trust contributed $405,000 in state Green Acres funding, $162,000 from a Hunterdon County non-profit open space grant, and the balance of the purchase price, $243,000, was provided by a grant from Kingwood Township.

The property hosts a diversity of native plants and animals. The established forest is populated with hardwoods with an understory of native plants including spice bush, jack-in-the-pulpit and may-apples.  There are numerous streams and wet areas, as well as old ruts full of water and acting as vernal ponds. These wet areas can sustain amphibian breeding opportunities which are disappearing in New Jersey.  Keeping this forested area intact will ensure that it will remain habitat for threatened plants and birds and that the water quality in the Delaware River watershed is protected.  The land trust will continue to own and manage the property and will develop hiking trails on the site so the public may enjoy a quiet walk in the woods.