Natural Lands - The Magazine of Natural Lands Fall/Winter 2017, Issue 151 | Page 16

N ATUR A L L A N DS
to explore conservation solutions
for the camp and, after five years
of searching for an appropriate
conservation owner for the proper-
ty, Camp Hidden Falls took the first
step toward its new life as public
parkland earlier this year.
Purchased by The Conservation
Fund, the property will soon be
transferred to the National Park Ser-
vice as an addition to the Delaware
Water Gap National Recreation Area.
The breathtakingly beautiful
property includes more than two
miles of pristine streams, eight
“hidden” waterfalls, and 15 acres of
wetlands teaming with wildlife. The
bulk of the Camp is wooded, offer-
ing essential habitat for a myriad of
raptors and songbirds. The property
is an important acquisition that
will help make a future connection
between the 70,000-acre Delaware
Water Gap National Recreation
Area and 20,000 acres of Delaware
State Forest.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NJ
preserving land
neighboring Glades
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Levenknight Property
10 acres
Downe Township
Key Partners: Geraldine R.
Dodge Foundation; William Penn
Foundation
Natural Lands secured a conser-
vation easement on 10 acres of
the wooded Levenknight property,
which is located adjacent to our
6,765-acre Glades Wildlife Refuge.
saving the stuff of
memories
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Sheppard’s Mill
Girl Scout Camp
417 acres
Greenwich and Hopewell Townships
Key Partners: NJ Department of
Environmental Protection – Green
Acres State Land Acquisition
Program; Open Space Institute –
Bayshore Highlands Grant Fund;
William Penn Foundation
New Jersey Division of Fish and
Wildlife’s Cohansey River Wildlife
Management Area just increased in
size with the addition of a 417-acre
property formerly known as the
Sheppard’s Mill Girl Scout Camp. The
entire property is now open to the
public for hiking, birdwatching, fish-
ing, canoeing, kayaking, and hunting.
The addition of the Sheppard’s Mill
property brings the size of the Co-
hansey River WMA to 1,474 acres.
The former Girl Scout Camp
includes a 52-acre lake, several
streams, and a densely forested area
with a hilly terrain, offering a variety
of wildlife habitats including those
for Bald Eagles.
“Few preservation projects have
had as much support as this one
from municipal, county, and state
residents and government officials,
not to mention the thousands of
now-adult Girl Scouts who will be
able to bring friends and relatives
back to relive their childhood expe-
riences here.,” said Molly Morrison,
president of Natural Lands. “We feel
fortunate to have played a role as
part of the team that—after more
than five years of negotiations and
fundraising—preserved this wood-
land and lake forever.” W
. SPRI NG / SUMMER 2 017
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a weekend.
a way of life.
Erin and Randy Richard were just looking for a nice place to walk their dogs, Harley and
Pepper. One of Erin’s coworkers had mentioned a place called ChesLen Preserve, so they
headed out to explore on a cool, autumn afternoon. “We were so impressed with the place
that we decided then and there to visit more Natural Lands’ properties,” said Randy.
Fast-forward two years, and the couple has become members of Natural Lands, visited
all 18 of our publicly accessible preserves, attended countless events, graduated from our
Force of Nature® volunteer training program, and actively volunteer on the preserves.
“For me, volunteering has been a personal growth opportunity,” said Randy. “I’ve always
loved nature and wildlife and felt that there was more I needed to do. Erin actually brought
up the idea of volunteering, and it was like the light bulb went on… it’s a great way to give
something back.”
Erin shared that she gets back as much as she gives. “That part of Natural Lands’ mis-
sion about ‘connecting people to the outdoors and each other’ really speaks to me. I have
met many friendly and knowledgeable people, both volunteers and staff, who have made
my experience truly rewarding.”
Both say that sharing these
experiences in nature has been an
added benefit.
“I’m very lucky to be married to
someone that shares passion for
wildlife and the outdoors,” echoed
Randy. “We see something new every
day out there on the preserves, and
I’m thankful we get to experience it
together.”
Thank you both, Erin and Randy, for
all you’ve given to Natural Lands and
for being joyful advocates for nature!
For more information on volunteer
opportunities and other ways to
support Natural Lands, visit natlands.
org/support. W
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