NJ Keep It Green Celebrates Preservation Successes, Highlights Conservation Needs During Inaugural Open Space Month

NJ KEEP IT GREEN – New Jersey Keep It Green, a coalition of more than 175 conservation-focused organizations representing every corner of the state, is proud to announce its inaugural Open Space Month happening this June.

From High Point to Cape May, Open Space Month is designed to recognize New Jersey’s diverse and beautiful network of preserved land, working farms, historic structures, parks, hiking and biking trails, and fishing and boating spots that contribute to the quality of life for 9 million residents.

Open Space Month was also created to celebrate New Jersey’s national leadership in land preservation, conservation, and stewardship, with more than 1 million acres of land preserved in the nation’s most densely populated state.

Lastly, Open Space Month was established to amplify the need to continue efforts to ensure the quality of our drinking water by protecting land critical to water resources, making sure every child can walk to a park in their neighborhood, protecting working family farmers who provide fresh, locally grown produce,  saving our historic and cultural heritage, and purchasing routinely flooded properties and returning them to their natural state.

“Residents throughout New Jersey have strongly and consistently supported open space preservation since the Green Acres program began more than a half-century ago,” Keep It Green Chair Ed Potosnak and Coordinator Kelly Mooij said in a joint statement. “Open Space Month recognizes the preservation achievements that have happened because of remarkable collaborations between state, county and local governments and private groups, while recognizing many critical challenges to clean water, water, and land that remain.”

Many of New Jersey’s largest cities, towns, and counties are passing resolutions supporting Open Space Month. And, many of our coalition partners will be holding special events throughout the month as part of the celebration. Check with us on Facebook @NJKeepItGreen for details under the “events” tab.

NJ Keep It Green is also hosting a month-long photo contest on Instagram. Photographers of all levels are encouraged to enter by following @njkeepitgreen and tagging their nature photos #ShareYourSpaceNJ and #njkeepitgreen throughout the month. Winners will be chosen at random, and can win money for their favorite Keep It Green member organization. Selfies welcome! Complete contest rules can be found on NJ Keep It Green’s Facebook page.