More than 3,000 Acres Transferred to Forked River Mountain Wilderness Area in Lacey Township

(May 3, 2023—Chester, NJ)—The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced today that its donation to Ocean County of more than 3,100 acres of pine forest in Lacey Township has been finalized. The land enhances and expands an existing 8,000-acre protected area purchased by the county in 2019 for $15 million. Together, the tracts form an 11,100-acre environmental preserve called Forked River Mountain Wilderness Area, which will remain in a natural state and be open to the public for hiking and other passive recreation.

The property transferred by TNC, a pristine section of New Jersey's ecologically critical Pinelands, was donated to TNC more than a decade ago by Stephan Leone, a Toms River lawyer, businessman and visionary friend of the outdoors. In 2019, the Ocean County Board of Freeholders (now Ocean County Board of Commissioners) voted to accept the gift, along with a maintenance endowment of more than $112,000, from TNC, and those transactions are now complete.

Eric Olsen, director conservation programs for TNC's New Jersey chapter, lauded the transfer, saying, "Ocean County has a great parks program, and we are certain they will be excellent stewards of this land for people and wildlife. The site is easy to find and provides access to the Pine Barrens for people who previously may have been hesitant to visit this ecological treasure in our state."

"This donation is not only adjacent to the largest tract we have acquired under the county's open space program but it is also one of the most environmentally sensitive tracts we have purchased under our Natural Lands Trust Program," said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines. "This type of land preservation is what the open space program is all about."

"On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I extend our deepest appreciation for this donation from The Nature Conservancy and Stephan Leone," she added. "This parcel mirrors the environmental qualities of the Forked River Mountain tract and is a perfect fit for our open space program since it is surrounded by land already preserved by Ocean County and the state. Our residents and visitors will always be able to enjoy this environmental gem."

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, the group creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. They are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. Working in 79 countries and territories—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—they use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector and other partners. TNC has conserved more than 60,000 acres in New Jersey since 1955. To learn more, visit www.nature.org.

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