RARITAN TOWNSHIP – The township recently acquired two properties totaling approximately 48 acres for open space.
The June acquisition of these properties on Johanna Farms Road continues the township’s mission of preserving undeveloped land and protecting local environmental resources, officials said.
The properties are at 50 and 101 Johanna Farms Road. They are approximately 18 and 30 acres, respectively, and will become part of the township’s Neshanic River Preserve – consistent with the Raritan Township Master Open Space Plan.
“Of critical importance is that the properties are within the Neshanic River watershed, just upstream of where significant flooding resulted in loss of life in Raritan Township during Hurricane Ida,” stated Amy Greene, chair of the Open Space Advisory Committee. “Preventing development and appropriate stewardship of these properties can mitigate future flooding.”
A forested area of the newly named Neshanic River Preserve Kestrel Tract at the 50 Johanna Farms Road property.
The 30-acre property at 101 Johanna Farms Road, now known as the Neshanic River Preserve Heron Tract, pays homage to the great blue herons which frequent the area and have a rookery downstream along the Neshanic River. According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, great blue herons are designated as a species of “Special Concern.”
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The 18-acre property at 50 Johanna Farms Road was named the Neshanic River Preserve Kestrel Tract to honor the American Kestrel, a threatened species in New Jersey that nests on the nearby Micek Farm Park.
Funding for the acquisition of both the properties was covered by the township’s Open Space Fund and state Green Acres Program. Additional funding was provided by the Hunterdon Open Space Assistance Fund to acquire the newly named Neshanic River Preserve Kestrel Tract.
Hunterdon Land Trust assisted the township and its Open Space Advisory Committee during the entire acquisition process of both properties.
Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Raritan Township adds more land to Neshanic River Preserve