our preserves
South Branch Preserve
Our most active preserve, the aptly named South Branch is at the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River. Home to a wide assortment of wildlife in the restored native forest. Here you'll find our community garden, City Green Farms, pollinator meadows, and family-friendly features like easy trails, a bird blind, land art, and a picnic area. 208 acres, preserved in 2010. Parking at 60 Wolfe Rd, Budd Lake, NJ 07828; near the intersection with Route 46.
South Branch Preserve South
The South tract of the South Branch Preserve, which almost became a housing development, is now a haven for avian life and pollinators, with forested wetlands and small streams that flow into the Raritan River. Visitors will likely encounter residents like great blue herons, wood turtles, and red-shouldered hawks on the hiking trails. 195 acres, preserved in 2010. Parking at 10 Shop Ln, Long Valley, NJ 07853, just off Drakestown Road.
Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve
The West Brook is one of the primary sources for the Wanaque Reservoir, which provides drinking water for two million New Jersey residents. This preserve contains a valley with steep rocky hillsides, vast wetlands, and a Category One trout production stream. In 2020 we completed a major restoration, returning the brook to its historic channel, nurturing hundreds of native plants, and blazing trails. 241 acres, preserved in 2017. Parking at 1228 Westbrook Road, West Milford, NJ 07480.
Ramapo Mountain Preserve
This beautiful property, featuring glacial erratics and gorgeous views of the New York skyline, is adjacent to the Bergen County Ramapo Mountain Reservation, and was one of the largest unpreserved tracts remaining in Bergen County. 104 acres; preserved in 2010. Trails are in the planning phase, and parking is not yet available at this site.
Yards Creek Preserve
Near the Appalachian Trail and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Yards Creek Preserve is an ambitious conservation project to protect drinking water in the Delaware River Basin, which 15 million people rely on—including the cities of Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and New York City. This richly diverse land is a mix of mature forest and wetlands, home to wood turtles, a significant amphibian population, and many species of mammals including black bears and endangered northern long-eared bats. 322 acres; preserved in 2019. Located at 125 Stony Brook Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825.
Hatfield Swamp Preserve
Hatfield Swamp is a vast wetland, over 1,000 acres of marshes and forested swamps bordered by the Passaic, Rockaway, and Whippany rivers. The swamp was a part of glacial Lake Passaic formed during the last ice age. These wetlands are flooded for most of the year, making it inaccessible to hikers, but you can explore by canoe and kayak by putting in at the Essex County Environmental Center. 176 acres; preserved in 2009.
Pequannock Watershed Preserve
Pequannock Watershed Preserve has crystal clear streams and ponds; mature woodlands; rhododendron forests and stands of mountain laurel; mossy bogs and vernal pools; and an amazing variety of animal and plant species. Dunker Brook, with its pristine waters, a pond, and a roaring waterfall, is the preserve's hidden gem.
Surrounded by the 35,000-acre Newark-Pequannock Watershed owned by the City of Newark, the preserve does not have trails or parking at this time. 371 acres; preserved in 2010.
WildAcres
Fred and Myrtle Hierwarter raised their family and lived at WildAcres for 50 years, and it was their wish to see the property permanently preserved in its natural state. We worked with Mr. Hierwarter to purchase and preserve the site, which is now a Montville park named in their memory. In 2001, The Land Conservancy renovated the house and relocated its headquarters here. We welcome visitors to enjoy scenic vistas on three walking trails of varying difficulty, experiencing a variety wildlife habitat including deer, black bear, blue birds, wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, and more. 44 acres; preserved in 2000. Parking at 19 Boonton Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005.