Open Space Institute, Land Conservancy of New Jersey conserve 24 acres of forested land in Hardwick Township; acquisition expands Yards Creek Preserve to protect drinking water quality along Kittatinny Ridge

Acquisition strengthens “green corridor” of natural lands along Kittatinny Ridge

HARDWICK, NJ (February 5, 2025)—The Open Space Institute (OSI) and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey (TLCNJ) have successfully conserved 24 acres of forested land along Jacksonburg Creek in Hardwick Township, expanding Yards Creek Preserve. This small but significant acquisition will help protect drinking water quality and support efforts to connect forested habitats along the slopes of the Kittatinny Ridge in the Delaware River Watershed. 

The property is the seventh addition to Yards Creek Preserve and the ninth within the Bobcat Alley section of the Paulins Kill Focus area to be protected through OSI’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund (DRWPF).

“It is extremely gratifying to support TLCNJ’s success in forming a protected assemblage, safeguarding the pristine, forested headwaters of the Paulins Kill River,” said Bill Rawlyk, OSI’s Mid-Atlantic Senior Program Director. “These headwaters are a critical source of clean drinking water for communities downstream within the Delaware Watershed. This land will also protect habitat for rare plant, animal, and aquatic species, and offer opportunities for passive public recreation.”

Located near the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the preserve’s proximity to this important ecological corridor elevates its conservation value, protecting both land and water resources. The property is adjacent to YMCA Camp Ralph Mason and bordered by Jacksonburg Creek. Its protection strengthens the ecological integrity of the area, enhancing its function as a key habitat for wildlife movement and connectivity. Protection of the property will also help foster a more resilient ecosystem that can better adapt to climate change while supporting diverse populations of native plants and wildlife.

The purchase of this property was made possible with funding support from OSI’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund (DRWPF), as well as contributions from The Nature Conservancy and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Green Acres program. These partners share a commitment to protecting the Delaware River Watershed, a vital region for safeguarding climate-resilient landscapes and clean water resources.

TLCNJ’s Vice President of Land Preservation and Stewardship, Sandy Urgo said, “This property is one of only a few locations where wild corridor connections remain relatively uninterrupted by house lots. This land contains tremendous water resources, including a beautiful stretch of Jacksonburg Creek. Substantial biodiversity remains intact, with a very wide array of native wildflowers and far fewer invasive plant species than we normally see in that type of environment. It is critical that we continue to preserve the remaining connective land, especially the parcels that sit this high in the landscape and are so integral to Bobcat Alley and the natural greenway we have been working to secure. We are indebted to our partners at Green Acres, OSI, and The Nature Conservancy for their support and financial contributions to this preservation project.”

Yards Creek Preserve, established in 2019, is situated near the Appalachian Trail and adjacent to more than 76,000 acres of public land in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Preserve helps protect drinking water for millions, supports a resilient ecosystem with native vegetation and mature forests, and limits the threat of development. By protecting more than 1,000 acres of ecologically sensitive land in the Delaware River Basin, TLCNJ is creating a vital “green corridor” along the Kittatinny Ridge, enabling wildlife movement and safeguarding clean water sources.

Launched in 2014 with funding from the William Penn Foundation’s Delaware River Watershed Initiative, OSI’s DRWPF has protected more than 25,000 acres of forested land to safeguard water quality in the Delaware River Watershed, a source of drinking water for approximately 15 million people — including residents of northeastern Pennsylvania as well as Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and New York City.

About the Land Conservancy of New Jersey

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is a member-supported, nonprofit, accredited land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting natural land and water resources throughout the state in order to build environmental resilience and fight the climate crisis. Originally founded as an all-volunteer group in 1981, the organization has protected almost 30,000 acres of open space by working with 100 municipalities in 13 counties and continues to be recognized for meeting the highest standards for protecting open space, upholding the public trust, and ensuring that their conservation efforts are permanent. Learn more at tlc-nj.org.

About the Open Space Institute

The Open Space Institute is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. and Canada. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats climate change while curbing its devastating effects.