14 to explore conservation solutions for the camp and , after five years of searching for an appropriate conservation owner for the property , 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 Service 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 , offering 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
6 Levenknight Property 10 acres Downe Township
Key Partners : Geraldine R . Dodge Foundation ; William Penn Foundation
Natural Lands secured a conservation 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
7 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 , fishing , canoeing , kayaking , and hunting . The addition of the Sheppard ’ s Mill property brings the size of the Cohansey 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 experiences 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 woodland and lake forever .” W