The Keep It Green Coalition (KIG) made up of more than 150 statewide, local, and regional organizations committed to land preservation and conservation, agriculture, historic preservation, parks and recreation, and environmental protection, applaud Governor Murphy and Legislative leaders for instituting the Corporate Transit Fee to fund NJ Transit and the constitutional dedication of a 6% surcharge to fund environmental programs, many of which will be open space initiatives.
The Corporate Business Tax (CBT) surcharge expired last year, and the KIG coalition – alongside their allies at the For The Many coalition – have been fighting for that funding to be restored. The loss of funding could have resulted in $480 million less to fund parks and open space over the next ten years.
The corporate transit fee is projected to bring in over $1 billion dollars in funding each year, and based on the constitutional dedication (78% of 6%), at least $48 million annually will go towards open space initiatives such as Green and Blue Acres, and farmland and historic site preservation.
Green and open spaces serve as a vital ecosystem for a changing climate, helping to mitigate the effects of extreme heat and flooding and stormwater runoff, and will save the state an immeasurable economic value as extreme climate events become more frequent. Land preservation is also a critical tool in managing growth wisely, controlling sprawl, reducing traffic, protecting beautiful landscapes, and providing ample space for outdoor recreation. Finally, studies also show that even brief exposure to nature can reduce stress and improve mood.
“We are all celebrating today because restoration of this funding is a win for all New Jerseyans. Outdoor recreation in New Jersey was valued at $20.3 billion in 2021. This money should continue to be invested in open spaces, which brings environmental and economic benefits for the entire state, said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV. “We thank Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature for continuing our state’s long legacy of support and funding for land preservation and open space by restoring the surcharge.”
“We applaud Governor Murphy and the Legislator for restoring this funding. It will help the state acquire innumerable acres of green space across New Jersey and preserve and improve existing parks and open spaces,” said Alex Ireland, President and CEO of NJ Audubon. “Green spaces provide extensive value to our densely developed state, by providing valuable recreational land for future generations, refuge in the event of extreme heat, and flood mitigation as we increasingly experience more frequent and intense storms.”
“Restoring funding to support open space, farmland, historic preservation and continue support for hazardous site cleanups in communities across New Jersey is critically important. The Legislature and Governor has done so in a way that also gives Garden State residents a substantial investment in public transportation, which is so desperately needed in the most densely populated state in the nation,” said Jennifer M. Coffey, Executive Director Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC). “Governor Murphy and the Legislature are positioning New Jersey to continue being an environmental leader and making the state a great place to live.”
“The restoration of the CBT funds means that the mission of ensuring environmental access and equity for all New Jerseyans, can be realized,” said Renata Barnes, Director of Programming and Community Engagement at Outdoor Equity Alliance.
“The protection and resiliency of the Pinelands continues due to this critical funding,” said Jaclyn Rhoads, Assistant Executive Director of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. “The Pinelands residential and ecological communities need the resources to combat climate change, and protecting land and buying flood prone properties are an essential part of that battle. Pinelands Preservation Alliance thanks our elected leaders for recognizing the benefit of the CBT dedication and doing what is right for the residents of the State.”
“We’re excited to support increased funding for farmland, open space and historic preservation,” said Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation. “Using the Corporate Business Tax to fund conservation, as well as essential public transit under the Corporate Transit Fee, we can achieve New Jersey’s climate goals. This benefits everyone.”
“The recent purchase by SADC of nearly 600 acres of prime farmland soils in White Township, Warren County, right next to the Delaware River, was a reminder of how important it is that the State is able to make these acquisitions. Had those vast warehouses been built, the development would have transformed Warren County – and not for the better,” said Julia Somers, Executive Director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition. “The continuation of this funding benefits so many essential programs and does it in an equitable way.”
“Climate Revolution Action Network commends the Governor’s Office and Legislature for making sure corporations pay their fair share to fund New Jersey Transit and open spaces. Open spaces are crucial for young people, offering a direct connection to nature that is essential in the fight against the climate crisis,” said Ben Dziobek, Executive Director of Climate Revolution Action Network (CRAN). “Natural environments provide a platform for immersive education and activism, inspiring urgent and passionate commitment to sustainability and conservation. Although this is a major step in the right direction, there is so much more that needs to be done to support New Jerseyans’ access to functioning public transit and open spaces.”
“Funding the preservation and conservation of our parks, farms, and open spaces across New Jersey, in rural and urban environments, is what has made New Jersey the Garden State,” said Dr. Jacqueleen Bido, Chief Strategy Officer of Newark Science and Sustainability. “The legislature and Governor have once again affirmed the importance of open space preservation and above all the people who access them.”
“This needed step to ensuring adequate funding for open space and farmland preservation demonstrates the commitment of New Jersey leaders to protecting and preserving vital New Jersey lands,” said Jeanine Cava, Founder and Lead Facilitator of the Food Democracy Collaborative. “Our state must continue leading in land conservation and preservation if we are to support the next generation of NJ farmers and provide food security and resilience to New Jerseyans.”
“Through coalition and commitment, we’ve transformed adversity into opportunity and hope. Reinstating $48 million for open space initiatives is more than a victory-it is a testament to a shared dedication to sacred water and environmental justice, ensuring that every drop of progress nourishes New Jersey benefiting all residents and future generations,” Rachel Dawn Davis, Public Policy & Justice Organizer, Waterspirit.
“Funding to support green spaces in rural, suburban and denser urban parts of the NJ is more critical than ever to our local food economy, climate resilience and our overall health and wellness,” said Emilo Panasci, Co-founder and Executive Director of Urban Agriculture Cooperative. “We’re incredibly happy to see increased funding for these initiatives.”
“The value of our parks, open spaces, and precious farmland cannot be underestimated. We must accelerate preservation of our lands, small and large, urban and rural, preserved permanently through dedicated federal and state funding,” said Cali Alexander, Policy Chair and Board of Directors of The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA NJ). “We consider it a priority to save land for future farmers, conservation, food security,health and well being for generations to come!”
New Jerseyans have a long history of supporting land preservation and open space funding. In 2014, 65% of New Jersey voters approved amending the state constitution to provide long term sustainable funding for open space, farmland preservation, and historic preservation by dedicating a portion of the CBT to these programs. Members of the Keep It Green coalition are thrilled to have regained this critical funding.
