New Jersey Audubon announced the  transfer of the 90-acre Scudder Preserve in Middletown to Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF), a nonprofit land trust focused on preserving open space throughout Monmouth County. ),

New Jersey Audubon is a private, not-for-profit, membership organization founded in 1897 with a focus on connecting people with nature and stewarding nature for future generations throughout New Jersey,  

  The Scudder Preserve consists of 90 acres of preserved habitat originally owned by Richard and Elizabeth Scudder. In 2007 Mr.Scudder donated around 60 acres to NJA, and in 2012 the remaining 30 acres and homestead were gifted to the organization in his will.

The preserve sits on both sides of Browns Dock Road with nature trails winding their way through wooded, rolling hills, grasslands, streams, and a pond along the Scudder homestead.

“Our two organizations have taken a partnership approach in working together to make the transfer a success while keeping the environmental vision of the Scudder family intact and this beautiful space open to the Monmouth County community. This shift of ownership makes the most sense for both our organizations, allowing us to focus on our respective missions and geographies, while ensuring open space protection,” said Alex Ireland, president and CEO, NJ Audubon. 

  MCF is no stranger to the Scudder Preserve. As the nonprofit originally responsible for holding the conservation easements on the site, the Foundation has conducted annual monitoring visits and stayed in close communication with NJA as the landowner.

As part of its mission to acquire and preserve open space and farmland and conserve natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability, MCF stewards 1,100 acres of conserved lands through 46 easements across the county. 

The Scudder Preserve will remain permanently preserved under the current conservation easements, but stewardship of the easements will be co-held by MCF’s peer organization, the D&R Greenway Land Trust based in Princeton and MCF. Joining with another accredited land trust assures that the easement will continue and, in fact, be enhanced with further protections. Legally, the same organization cannot take title to the land while continuing to hold the easement(s) without having the interests merge and extinguish.   

 “D&R Greenway was happy to jump in to assist MCF with this permanent protection,” said Linda Mead, President and CEO. “This solution that brings together two sister land trusts and NJ Audubon is truly a partnership model that brings public benefit to everyone who lives in the region.” 

  “This collaboration enables MCF to solidify our organizational relevancy long into the future. In our 47 years, MCF has often acted behind the scenes to help preserve some of Monmouth’s most cherished parks, green spaces, and farms. Having our own preserve will allow us to engage with our community directly, model sustainable practices, and hopefully excite future generations to carry on our work to #KeepMonmouthGreen,” shared William Kastning, MCF’s Executive Director.

MCF has secured a $1 million donation from an anonymous donor in support of costs related to the Scudder Preserve improvement to the infrastructure, maintenance needs, as well as general operating expenses.

Founded in 1977, Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) works to acquire and preserve open space and farmland and conserve natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability. An independent nonprofit organization that works with Monmouth County and its 53 municipalities, MCF’s vision is to lead conservation and education efforts to preserve and protect our natural environment, so all individuals and communities have access to and can benefit from open space and nature for generations to come. For more information, visit www.monmouthconservation.org  

In celebration of their 150^th anniversary in the United States,the Sisters of St. Francis invite the public to join them May 31, with Mass at 8:30 a.m., followed by a breakfast reception at Mary Mother of God Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road, Middletown.

In 1874, women of courage, Mother Aloysia Lenders, and Sisters Veronica Conradi, Felicitas Dues, and Leonarda Hannappel crossed a threshold, leaving Germany to sail to America, arriving in New York on June 5^h, 1874.

After establishing foundations in Buffalo, NY and Columbus, OH, the Sisters of St. Francis were invited to teach at St. Agnes in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey in 1924, thus completing the continental expansion of the Congregation in the United States. By the 1950s, the Sisters would begin teaching at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Highlands as well as St. Mary’s in New Monmouth, and later at Mater Dei High School in Middleton.

In addition to teaching, they applied their gifts and talents to ministry in parishes, social work, and spiritual direction.

This year, the Sisters are celebrating their 150^th anniversary, “Crossing the Threshold – Then and Now!” with small gatherings across the United States. Little could Mother Magdalen Damen, the foundress, imagine that her small community would grow and expand beyond the borders of the Netherlands and Germany to far reaching lands. With her, the Sisters continue to trust that “It is God’s work” and “God will provide,” as they walk together into the future.

In order to adequately prepare, please contact Barbara Johnson, Sisters of St. Francis, at 716-754-2193 if you are able to attend.

On hand to greet guests will be Provincial First Assistant, Sister Nancy Zelma; Provincial Councilor, Sister Regina Snyder; Sisters Diane Bernbeck, Virginia Dehner, Joanne Fogarty, Patricia McMahon, Patricia Russo, Christella Ritchey, and associate Elaine Schuttinger.