357 Acres to be preserved in Jackson Township

Jackson, NJ – This past November, Jackson Residents felt the loophole in the township’s open space ordinance was too much to spend on land preservation.  At the time, many members of the community pointed out at town hall meetings that a nearly 100% increase in money collected for preservation was too much to ask during these difficult times.

The measure was eventually defeated as a referendum in the November election.   At the time, many residents and some township officials pointed out that even though nearly $1,000,000 was taken off table to purchase land, many land preservation alternatives existed.

Jackson Township land is routinely protected by the Pinelands Commission and the New Jersey DEP regulations in order to protect vital resources and wetlands from being developed.     This past week however, another land preservation mechanism for Jackson Township has snatched up 357 acres from potential development.

The New Jersey Pinelands Commission’s Permanent Land Protection Committee has dedicated more than $1.9 million to preserve 1,612 acres in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May and Ocean counties in the Pinelands. The Committee approved the expenditure from the Pinelands Conservation Fund to preserve the land in partnership with local governments and nonprofit organizations during its meeting on Jan. 29.

Jackson Township Mayor Mike Reina hailed the announcement as a win for taxpayers and the environment  ”I’m thrilled that the residents of Jackson now have another 357 acres for their pleasure. Anytime we can preserve land and reduce residential development we increase our environmental committment not only to mother nature but for many future generations to admire and enjoy. ” he said “The fact that we just obtained a substantial amount of acreage and did not have to tap any resources or our open space trust fund was a win win for the residents of Jackson.”

“Permanent land protection has been a critical part of our efforts to protect the Pinelands’ unique resources for the past 30 years, and it will continue to be vital as we enter a new decade of Pinelands protection,” said John C. Stokes, Executive Director of the Pinelands Commission. “These properties contain outstanding natural resources such as habitat for rare Pinelands plants and animals, and they connect large, adjacent properties that also have been permanently preserved.”