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The New Jersey Legislature has delegated most of the responsibility for land use to municipalities. However, decisions made by state agencies, county governments and even neighboring municipalities also play an important role in the actual development patterns. The municipal Master Plan is a document, adopted by the Planning Board, which sets forth the vision and policies for land use as desired by the municipality. The Master Plan is the principal document that addresses the manner and locations in which development, conservation and/or preservation occur within a municipality. Ultimately it is the municipal master plan that creates the foundation for the local zoning and land ordinances that govern development. A master plan that clearly states environmental and development goals provides a solid base for the ordinances so vital to protect a community’s public health, safety and general welfare.

What is in a Master Plan?

The Master Plan must include at least two elements 1) a statement of objectives, principles, assumptions, policies and standards upon which the constituent proposals for the physical, economic and social development of the municipality are based and 2) a land use plan element that considers natural conditions (topography, soil, water supply, drainage, floodplaiins, woodlands) to show existing and proposed land uses.  As of February 2021, the NJ Municipal Land Use Law now also requires a climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessment to be included as a part of the land use element.  You can find a Climate Change resiliency plan guide here or go to  Resilient NJ for more information.

There are numerous other elements that can be included in the Master plan such as a Housing Plan, Open Space and Recreation plan, Circulation Plan, Conservation Plan, Historic Preservation Plan, Green Building and Sustainability Element, Stormwater Management Plan and others.  At a minimum, the municipal master plan should be reexamined every 10 years.

ANJEC can provide information and references for pro-active and comprehensive municipal planning to help implement natural resource protection and State Development and Redevelopment consistency. 

Resources:

• Land Use Planning– ANJEC Resource Paper
• Pathways For The Garden State: A Local Government Guide To Planning Walkable, Bikeable Communities

The Smart Growth Survival Kit:

• • Environmental Resource Inventory (resource paper)
  • Vision Statement
  • Planning– Build-out Capacity
  • Affordable Housing
  • Open Space  (resource paper)
  • Master Plan
  • Ordinances

The Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI), also known as the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI), serves as a vital resource for municipalities in understanding and managing their natural and environmental assets. This comprehensive compilation includes text, tables, maps, and visual information detailing the characteristics of natural resources and environmentally significant features within an area. While previously referred to as the “Natural Resources Inventory,” the term “Environmental Resources Inventory” is now commonly used to encompass both natural and human-made features, such as historic sites, brownfields, and contaminated areas.

It is recommended that municipal environmental commissions regularly create and update the ERI, with a minimum frequency of once every 10 years. This essential task empowers environmental commissions and open space committees to actively contribute to municipal master planning, land use ordinance development, and site plan review processes.

ANJEC, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, offers valuable resources to support environmental volunteers at the municipal level. Among these resources are training videos available from the annual Fundamentals for Environmental Commissioners Course on ERIs. These videos, hosted on ANJEC’s YouTube channel @ANJECViews, provide accessible insights into the importance of ERIs and how to effectively utilize them in local decision-making.

For those interested in learning more, the ANJEC YouTube channel offers access to training videos from recent years, including:

• The 2024 ERI Course found HERE:
• The 2023 ERI Course found HERE:

These resources serve as valuable tools for enhancing understanding and capacity in environmental planning and management at the municipal level.

By actively engaging with ERI development and utilizing available resources, environmental volunteers can make informed decisions and promote sustainable practices within their communities.

Resources

• ERI  (ANJEC Resource Paper)
• ERI Brochure

Wetlands are an important natural resource that naturally clean water and they need to be protected from pollutants and overdevelopment. Municipalities can help protect water quality and prevent non-point-source pollution through planning and ordinances.

The entire Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules can be found HERE

Resources:

• ANJEC Freshwater Wetlands Protection in New Jersey
• NJDEP Wetlands

Three percent of the earth’s water is fresh water, and only 1% is available for usage, while the average American uses 100 gallons of water per day.  Water conservation of this limited resource is paramount as our demand increases.  ANJEC can provide your EC with sample water conservation ordinances contact us. A few are listed HERE (add link to municipal ordinance page)

Resources:

• Blue Guide for Water Conservation
• EPA Water Sense Program
• EPA Water Smart Landscaping
• NJDEP Water Conservation –
• NJ WaterSavers– for residents, businesses, municipalities and educators
• Rutgers Water Resources Projects and Programs
• South Jersey Water Savers

Runoff water from storms needs to be clean of debris and pollutants so that drinking water and waterways are clean for all.  This can be achieved by appropriate Stormwater Management.   In March 2020, The Department of Environmental Protection formally adopted groundbreaking amendments to the state’s stormwater management rules to better protect water quality by reducing polluted runoff through implementation of required green infrastructure technologies for major developments.  In 2023, the NJDEP, Inland Flood Protection Rules were adopted that requires stormwater best management practices to be designed to manage runoff for both today’s storms and future storms (out to 2100) by taking into account predictions of projected precipitation.  All municipalities are required to adopt new stormwater management control ordinances to incorporate these changes.

Ordinances

• NJDEP Model Stormwater Ordinance
• Watershed Institute Enhanced Stormwater Management Ordinance 2023: The Watershed Institute Enhanced Model ordinance is based on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)’s model ordinance. This version includes the amendments required by the Inland Flood Protection Rules adopted July 17. 2023.

ANJEC Information Sheets/Brochures

• Stormwater Brochure
• ABCs of Stormwater
• Clean Water for Your Town – What Residents Can Do
• Flood Preparation and Response
• MS4 Permit Checklist Brochure
• Coming Soon – Homeowner’s Stormwater Checklist

ANJEC Resource Papers

• Municipal Options for Stormwater Management
• Municipal Techniques: Long Term Control Plans, Stream Daylighting and Combined Sewer Overflow programs
• Stormwater Management for Municipalities: Green Infrastructure designs and options

Web Resources

• Asking the Right Questions in Stormwater Review – YouTube
• EPA – How’s my waterway
• NJ Green Infrastructure Municipal Toolkit
• NJDEP Division of Water Quality
• NJDEP Stormwater Permitting/ Water Quality
• Creating Flood-Resilient Landscapes: A Primer for New Jersey Communities: An interdisciplinary group of collaborators from Rutgers University and South Dakota State University created this free, comprehensive guide that municipalities can use to not only learn how municipal leaders can make flood-prone landscapes more resilient, but also how to fund those efforts.
• New Jersey Stormwater Retrofit Best Management Practices Guide:New Jersey Future and Princeton Hydro created the New Jersey Stormwater Retrofit Best Management Practices Guide. This guide provides municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, developers, and property owners the tools to identify opportunities to retrofit existing stormwater BMPs and install new stormwater BMPs in New Jersey’s highly built-out environment.
• Understanding the New MS4 Permit: A Primer for New Jersey Municipalities: New Jersey Future and One Water Consulting, LLC created a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Primer to help municipalities understand the recent changes to the MS4 Permit and improve their municipal stormwater programs. The MS4 Permit and this Primer provide a framework for water quality improvements and a regional approach to stormwater management in New Jersey.

The history of local and county New Jersey environmental commissions begins in 1968. That year, the State Legislature passed a law that authorized but did not require municipalities to set up conservation commissions. The law made the commissions advisory bodies on local and statewide natural resource planning, environmental protection and open space issues.

The full Enabling Legislation under Title 40 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1:12) is provided below. In addition to the powers of the commission under N.J.S.A. 40:56A-2, the NJ legislation also states under the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A 55D-27)  the enabling legislation under N.J.SA 40:55D-27, if the environmental commission has prepared and submitted to the planning board and the board of adjustment an index of the natural resources of the municipality, the planning board or the board of adjustment shall make available to the environmental commission an informational copy of every application for development submitted to either board. In addition under 40:55D-23 a member of the environmental commission who is also a member of the planning board shall be deemed to be the Class II planning board

Section 40:56A-1 – Commission; appointment; terms; vacancies

The governing body of any municipality may by ordinance establish an environmental commission for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within its territorial limits. The commission shall consist of not less than five nor more than seven members, appointed by the mayor of the municipality, one of whom shall also be a member of the municipal planning board and all of whom shall be residents of the municipality; the members shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided. The mayor of the municipality shall designate one of the members to serve as chairman and presiding officer of the commission. The terms of office of the first commissioners shall be for one, two or three years, to be designated by the mayor in making his appointments so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The mayor or governing body of the municipality may remove any member of the commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the commission occurring otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the powers of appointment and removal hereby accorded to the mayor of a municipality shall be vested in the elected official so designated or, where there is a vacancy in the office of mayor, in the duly designated acting mayor.

The governing body may, by ordinance, provide for the appointment of not more than two alternate members. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or charter heretofore adopted, the ordinance shall provide the method of appointment of alternate members. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment by the authority appointing them as “Alternate No. 1” and “Alternate No. 2.”

The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2 so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term only.

An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he requests one, be removed by the governing body for cause.

An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.

L.1968,c.245,s.1; amended 1972,c.35,s.2; 1975,c.334,s.8; 1989,c.168,s.2.

40:56A-2. Powers of commission

An environmental commission organized under this act shall have power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the municipality and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of such areas, and may from time to time recommend to the planning board or, if none, to the mayor and governing body of the municipality plans and programs for inclusion in a municipal master plan and the development and use of such areas.

L.1968, c. 245, s. 2, eff. Aug. 6, 1968. Amended by L.1972, c. 35, s. 3, eff. May 25, 1972.

40:56A-3. Acquisitions by commission

An environmental commission may, subject to the approval of the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the municipality by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease for any of its purposes and shall administer the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such an acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development right, easement (including conservation easement), covenant or other contractual right (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations or reversions), as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect, limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the municipality.

L.1968, c. 245, s. 3, eff. Aug. 6, 1968. Amended by L.1972, c. 35, s. 4, eff. May 25, 1972.

40:56A-4. Records and annual report

An environmental commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the governing body of the municipality.

L.1968, c. 245, s. 4, eff. Aug. 6, 1968. Amended by L.1972, c. 35, s. 5, eff. May 25, 1972.

40:56A-5. Appropriation

The governing body of a municipality may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the environmental commission. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require and as shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it.

L.1968, c. 245, s. 5, eff. Aug. 6, 1968. Amended by L.1972, c. 35, s. 6, eff. May 25, 1972.

40:56A-6. Studies and recommendations

An environmental commission shall have power to study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna.

L.1972, c. 35, s. 7, eff. May 25, 1972.

40:56A-7. Conservation commission as environmental commission

Any conservation commission established pursuant to this act shall be an environmental commission.

L.1972, c. 35, s. 8, eff. May 25, 1972.

40:56A-8. Joint environmental commission; creation by ordinance; members; compensation

1. The governing bodies of two or more municipalities may, by adoption of substantially similar ordinances, create a joint environmental commission for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources located within their combined territorial limits.
2. The number and qualifications of the members of such joint environmental commission, and their terms and methods of appointment or removal shall be such as may be determined and agreed upon by said governing bodies and set forth in the ordinance creating such joint commission, except that

(1) when such joint commission is created by two municipalities only, there shall be at least three members from each municipality;

(2) when such joint commission is created by three or more municipalities, there shall be at least two members from each municipality;

(3) at least one member from each municipality shall be a member of the planning board (if any) of the municipality, and

(4) a majority of the members of the joint commission shall hold no other public office, except membership on a municipal or other planning board.

1. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission.

L.1975, c. 334, s. 1, eff. March 3, 1976.

40:56A-9. Chairman; qualifications; term of office

A joint environmental commission shall elect its chairman, who shall hold no other public office or position, except that he may be a member of a municipal or other planning board. The term of the chairman shall be 1 year, and he shall be eligible to succeed himself unless the ordinance creating the commission shall otherwise provide. The ordinance creating such commission may provide that the chairmanship of the commission be rotated annually so that over each period of years corresponding to the number of participating municipalities it shall be held in each year by a member appointed from a different participating municipality.

L.1975, c. 334, s. 2, eff. March 3, 1976.

40:56A-10. Expenses; apportionment; appropriation

The proportion of the expenses of the joint environmental commission to be borne by each participating municipality shall be such as may be determined and agreed upon by the participating municipalities, and said municipalities are hereby authorized to appropriate their respective shares of such expenses. Within the limits thus agreed upon and duly appropriated the commission may employ such clerical and technical or other assistants and may incur such other expenses as it may deem necessary to carry out its functions.

L.1975, c. 334, s. 3, eff. March 3, 1976.

40:56A-11. Functions, duties and powers

A commission created pursuant to this supplementary act shall have, with respect to all the participating municipalities, and to each of them, all the functions, duties and powers of an environmental commission established in a single municipality under sections 2 and 3 of P.L.1968, c. 245 (C. 40:56A-2 and 40:56A-3) and section 7 of P.L.1972, c. 35 (C. 40:56A-6).

L.1975, c. 334, s. 4, eff. March 3, 1976.

40:56A-12. Succession of established commission by joint commission; transfers

If any municipality which has heretofore established an environmental commission under the act to which this act is a supplement shall enter into participation in a joint environmental commission, such environmental commission heretofore established shall be abolished upon the taking effect of the ordinance establishing the joint environmental commission, and the terms of the members of such abolished environmental commission shall immediately cease and terminate. Except as may otherwise be provided in the ordinance establishing such joint commission, all employees of such abolished environmental commission and all the records, property and funds in its possession or under its control shall be transferred to the joint environmental commission, and all its debts and other financial obligations shall be assumed by the joint environmental commission.

L.1975, c. 334, s. 5, eff. March 3, 1976.

ADDITONAL LEGISLATION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONS

40:55D-23 Planning board membership

Planning board membership. a. The governing body may, by ordinance, create a planning board of seven or nine members. All members of the planning board, except for the Class II members set forth below, shall be municipal residents. The membership shall consist of, for convenience in designating the manner of appointment, the four following classes:

Class I–the mayor or the mayor’s designee in the absence of the mayor or, in the case of the council-manager form of government pursuant to the Optional Municipal Charter Law, P.L.1950, c.210 (C.40:69A-1 et seq.) or “the municipal manager form of government law” (R.S.40:79-1 et seq.), the manager, if so provided by the aforesaid ordinance.

Class II–one of the officials of the municipality other than a member of the governing body, to be appointed by the mayor; provided that if there be an environmental commission, the member of the environmental commission who is also a member of the planning board as required by section 1 of P.L.1968, c.245 (C.40:56A-1), shall be deemed to be the Class II planning board member for purposes of this act in the event that there be among the Class IV or alternate members of the planning board both a member of the zoning board of adjustment and a member of the board of education.

Class III–a member of the governing body to be appointed by it.

Class IV–other citizens of the municipality, to be appointed by the mayor or, in the case of the council-manager form of government pursuant to the Optional Municipal Charter Law, P.L.1950, c.210 (C.40:69A-1 et seq.) or “the municipal manager form of government law” (R.S.40:79-1 et seq.), by the council, if so provided by the aforesaid ordinance.

The members of Class IV shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment, except that in the case of nine-member boards, one such member may be a member of the zoning board of adjustment or historic preservation commission. No member of the board of education may be a Class IV member of the planning board, except that in the case of a nine-member board, one Class IV member may be a member of the board of education. If there be a municipal environmental commission, the member of the environmental commission who is also a member of the planning board, as required by section 1 of P.L.1968, c.245 (C.40:56A-1), shall be a Class IV planning board member, unless there be among the Class IV or alternate members of the planning board both a member of the zoning board of adjustment or historic preservation commission and a member of the board of education, in which case the member common to the planning board and municipal environmental commission shall be deemed a Class II member of the planning board. For the purpose of this section, membership on a municipal board or commission whose function is advisory in nature, and the establishment of which is discretionary and not required by statute, shall not be considered the holding of municipal office.

1. The term of the member composing Class I shall correspond to the mayor’s or manager’s official tenure or if the member is the mayor’s designee in the absence of the mayor, the designee shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor during the mayor’s official tenure. The terms of the members composing Class II and Class III shall be for one year or terminate at the completion of their respective terms of office, whichever occurs first, except for a Class II member who is also a member of the environmental commission. The term of a Class II or Class IV member who is also a member of the environmental commission shall be for three years or terminate at the completion of his term of office as a member of the environmental commission, whichever occurs first. The term of a Class IV member who is also a member of the board of adjustment or board of education shall terminate whenever he is no longer a member of such other body or at the completion of his Class IV term, whichever occurs first. The terms of all Class IV members first appointed under this act shall be so determined that to the greatest practicable extent the expiration of such terms shall be distributed evenly over the first four years after their appointments; provided that the initial Class IV term of no member shall exceed four years. Thereafter, the Class IV term of each such member shall be four years. If a vacancy in any class shall occur otherwise than by expiration of the planning board term, it shall be filled by appointment, as above provided, for the unexpired term. No member of the planning board shall be permitted to act on any matter in which he has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest. Any member other than a Class I member, after a public hearing if he requests one, may be removed by the governing body for cause.
2. In any municipality in which the term of the municipal governing body commences on January 1, the governing body may, by ordinance, provide that the term of appointment of any class of member of the planning board appointed pursuant to this section shall commence on January 1. In any municipality in which the term of the municipal governing body commences on July 1, the governing body may, by ordinance, provide that the term of appointment of any class of member appointed pursuant to this section commence on July 1.

L.1975,c.291,s.14; amended 1978, c.37, s.1; 1979, c.216, s.12; 1985, c.516, s.7; 1990, c.130; 1991, c.256, s.4; 1994, c.158; 1998, c.95, s.5.

40:55D-27. Citizens advisory committee; environmental commission

1. After the appointment of a planning board, the mayor may appoint one or more persons as a citizens’ advisory committee to assist or collaborate with the planning board in its duties, but such person or persons shall have no power to vote or take other action required of the board. Such person or persons shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor.
2. Whenever the environmental commission has prepared and submitted to the planning board and the board of adjustment an index of the natural resources of the municipality, the planning board or the board of adjustment shall make available to the environmental commission an informational copy of every application for development submitted to either board. Failure of the planning board or board of adjustment to make such informational copy available to the environmental commission shall not invalidate any hearing or proceeding.

L.1975, c. 291, s. 18, eff. Aug. 1, 1976. Amended by L.1977, c. 49, s. 1, eff. March 29, 1977.

New Jersey law requires environmental commissions to maintain an index of public and private open space in the municipality. This can be in the ERI (Environmental Resource Inventory), or as a separate database. According to N.J.A.C 7:7-9.38, “public open space constitutes land areas owned or maintained by State, Federal, county and municipal agencies or private groups (such as conservation organizations and homeowner’s associations) and used for or dedicated to conservation of natural resources, public recreation, visual or physical public access or, wildlife protection or management. Public open space also includes, but is not limited to, State Forests, State Parks, and State Fish and Wildlife Management Areas, lands held by the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust (13:1B-15.1 19 et seq.), lands held by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (58:1B-1 et seq.) and designated Natural Areas (13:1B-15.1 2a et seq.) within DEP-owned and managed lands “

New Jersey’s open space provides a variety of environmental and economic benefits including protection of water resources, preservation of biodiversity and wildlife habitats, creation of greenways, enhancement of urban centers, and support of recreational opportunities. In addition, parks and open spaces promote public health by encouraging active lifestyles that improve physical and mental wellness.  Acquiring open space also is a vital strategy to preserve land for agriculture, protect rural landscapes, and sustain the State’s tourism industry.  Furthermore, public land acquisition, park development, and natural resource stewardship projects are important to successful urban redevelopment initiatives.

Resources

• Preserve Open Space ANJEC Info Sheet)
• Open Space tax and Open Space Committee (ANJEC Info Sheet)
• Open Space Plan (ANJEC Resource paper)
• Open Space Is a Good Investment (ANJEC Resource paper)

What is the Green Acres Program?

The Green Acres rules (N.J.A.C. 7:36) govern the award of loans or matching grants, or both, to local government units for the acquisition or development of land, and matching grants to nonprofits for the acquisition or development of land, for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes. These rules establish project eligibility requirements, application requirements, funding award categories and criteria, matching grant and loan terms, and program administrative requirements.  Its mission is to achieve, in partnership with others, a system of interconnected open spaces, whose protection will preserve and enhance New Jersey’s natural environment and its historic, scenic, and recreational resources for public use and enjoyment. More information can be found here.

What is the Blue Acres Program?

The New Jersey Blue Acres Program is a state initiative that helps communities recover from and prepare for future flooding by acquiring properties in flood-prone areas. This voluntary program provides funding to purchase homes and land that have been severely or repeatedly damaged by flooding or are located in high-risk flood zones. Once acquired, the properties are demolished, and the land is restored to natural conditions, such as open space or wetlands, to enhance flood resilience and reduce risks for nearby communities. By turning vulnerable areas into open spaces, the program helps protect residents, improve water quality, and restore ecosystems.

The Blue Acres Program is part of New Jersey’s broader flood mitigation strategy and is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Homeowners who participate receive fair market value for their properties and assistance with relocation. The program plays a critical role in adapting to the growing challenges of climate change and rising sea levels.

To learn more about the NJ Blue Acres Program, visit the official website.

What are other Open Space funding programs and initiatives in New Jersey?

In addition to the Green Acres and Blue Acres programs, New Jersey offers several other avenues for funding open space preservation at the municipal, county, and nonprofit levels. These initiatives work together to safeguard New Jersey’s natural resources, protect habitats, and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for residents.

Municipal and County Open Space Preservation: Many municipalities and counties in New Jersey establish dedicated open space trust funds, which are often funded through voter-approved property tax levies. These local funds are used to purchase and preserve open space, farmlands, and parklands, as well as to enhance public access to natural areas. Counties such as Morris, Monmouth, Burlington, and Bergen, among others, have robust open space programs that complement state initiatives, often leveraging additional funding through grants and partnerships.

Nonprofit Land Trusts: Nonprofit organizations, such as The New Jersey Conservation Foundation, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, and local land trusts, play a critical role in open space preservation. These groups work to acquire and protect lands of ecological, historical, or recreational value. Nonprofits often secure funding from private donors, grants, and matching funds from state and federal programs. They also partner with government entities to amplify preservation efforts and offer technical assistance to communities seeking to protect local lands.

Additional Funding Sources: Federal programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provide grants that can support local open space initiatives. State programs, including partnerships through the Garden State Preservation Trust, help municipalities and nonprofits access matching funds to enhance preservation projects.

Together, these efforts create a comprehensive framework to preserve New Jersey’s open spaces, ensuring long-term environmental health, recreational opportunities, and quality of life for residents. For more information on funding opportunities and resources, visit the New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s website and explore the Land Trust Alliance for broader support in conservation efforts.

Understanding Conservation Easements

A conservation easement is a legal agreement that limits certain activities on a property to protect its natural resources. These restrictions are put in place to ensure that the land remains in its natural state and is not overly developed or harmed. Municipalities in New Jersey often use conservation easements as part of their land development process to safeguard valuable natural areas while allowing for responsible growth and development.

For instance, imagine a scenario where a developer plans to divide a 100-acre farm into residential lots. If there’s a stream and wetland areas on the property, the municipality might require the developer to grant a conservation easement along these sensitive areas. This easement would be recorded in the property’s official records and would limit activities that could harm the stream and wetlands.

Municipalities may also reserve the right to monitor these easements regularly to ensure they’re being followed. This monitoring involves visits to the property to check for any changes or violations that could harm the natural resources protected by the easement.

Maintaining an inventory of conservation easements and ensuring their proper stewardship is an essential task for environmental commissions. These commissions play a vital role in educating the community about the importance of conservation easements and assisting municipalities in managing them effectively.

What is a farmland preservation easement?

A farmland preservation easement in New Jersey is a legal agreement that permanently protects agricultural land from non-farming development while allowing the land to remain in private ownership. These easements are part of the state’s effort to sustain agriculture, protect open spaces, and maintain the rural character of its communities. When a farmland preservation easement is in place, the landowner voluntarily sells the development rights to the property, ensuring that the land will be used exclusively for agricultural purposes. This helps preserve New Jersey’s vital farming industry and ensures that fertile, productive farmland remains available for future generations.

The primary funding program for acquiring farmland preservation easements is managed by the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC). Through various partnerships with counties, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations, the SADC provides financial and technical assistance to landowners interested in preserving their farmland. Funding for these programs often comes from the state’s voter-approved preservation initiatives, including the Garden State Preservation Trust.

For more information and resources about farmland preservation in New Jersey, visit the State Agriculture Development Committee’s Farmland Preservation Program webpage.

Resources:

1. Creating a Conservation Easement Inventory  (ANJEC Info Sheet)
2. Land Stewardship – Conservation Easements  (ANJEC Info Sheet)
3. Conservation Easement Monitoring Documentation  (Easement Survey)
4. Manalapan Environmental Commission’s Easement Pamphlet: The Manalapan Environmental Commission has created a helpful brochure explaining conservation easements and their significance. You can access the brochure here.
5. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP): The NJDEP provides valuable information and resources on conservation easements in New Jersey. Visit their website at www.nj.gov/dep/ for more details.
6. New Jersey Conservation Foundation: The New Jersey Conservation Foundation is dedicated to preserving land and natural resources throughout the state. Their website, www.njconservation.org, offers insights into conservation efforts and resources for individuals and municipalities interested in protecting natural areas.
7. Local Municipal Websites: Check your municipality’s official website or contact your local environmental commission to learn more about conservation easements specific to your area. They can provide information on local ordinances, regulations, and initiatives related to land conservation and preservation.

By understanding and supporting conservation easements, residents of New Jersey can contribute to the preservation of the state’s natural beauty and ecological diversity for future generations.

FROM OUR 2025-2029 STRATEGIC PLAN

Our Vision

ANJEC and Environmental Commissions will lead the way for New Jersey’s continued progress in enhancing climate action, environmental justice, and a healthier environment for all. We will invest in community solutions to national, state, and local challenges. Science and data-driven policies and practices will guide our actions to protect and regenerate our shared environment and support inclusive, equitable access to New Jersey’s natural resources.

Theory of Change

When local activism and statewide policy are effectively connected, they influence each other to create meaningful progress for our State’s environment.

ANJEC plays a fundamental role in this process, providing resources and support to local environmental and community health advocates, driving statewide policy initiatives, and connecting local and statewide priorities to generate progress.

ANJEC’s Commitment to Environmental Justice

ANJEC is committed to ensuring that everyone in New Jersey lives in a safe, healthy environment. Communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income neighborhoods are often subjected to the worst environmental conditions – experiencing the negative health impacts of pollution at higher rates than other areas.

The environmental justice movement aims to reverse the impacts of environmental policies that create disproportionate harm so that all people can benefit from a healthy environment. This work also improves the overall quality of New Jersey’s environment, since the impact of pollution does not confine itself to municipal borders. By supporting local involvement in environmental advocacy and sound state environmental policy, ANJEC helps to ensure that all communities have a voice in the health and safety of their towns.

SUMMARY OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

Goal #1: Strengthen the role that Environmental Commissions (ECs) play in ensuring strong policies and actions that favor the environment and promote healthy communities.

• Advance legislation that requires Environmental Commissions in all municipalities and increases their influence on local ordinances and planning and land use decisions that impact the environment.
• Increase the percentage of Environmental Commission members who have participated in ANJEC’s Commissioner trainings, making them well-prepared to advocate in their communities.
• Increase member engagement in ANJEC’s initiatives and resources.
• Build capacity for Environmental Commissions through greater collaboration among ECs and with other local advocacy organizations.

Goal #2: Advance New Jersey’s efforts to reduce the impact of climate change and protect clean drinking water.

• Increase local actions that strengthen municipal climate resilience, especially in municipal planning, stormwater management, and open space preservation.
• Advocate for maximum reductions/capture in greenhouse gas emissions through New Jersey-specific policies on transportation, energy production, waste reduction, and building efficiency.
• Advocate for policies and actions that protect, restore, and regenerate clean drinking water for everyone in New Jersey.

Goal #3: Advance environmental justice in overburdened communities and prevent the advancement of harm that exacerbates injustices.

• Proactively support overburdened communities so they can advance their goals for their local environment.
• Collaborate with local communities to develop and secure state and regional policies that promote environmental justice, especially in historically overburdened communities.
• Foster climate resilience in overburdened

Goal #4: Update ANJEC’s business model to promote stable long-term success.

• Diversify sources of revenue to include new donors, new foundation supporters, and new earned revenue strategies.
• Ensure that ANJEC can routinely operate with a modest annual surplus.
• Improve technology and operations to maximize our capacity for impact.
• Revise the staff structure/organizational chart to ensure that all roles align with strategic priorities.

Goal #5: Increase ANJEC’s position as a trusted and reliable resource for local environmental action among multiple constituencies.

• Enhance ANJEC’s position as a leader in statewide environmental progress.
• Increase participation by next generation (under 40 years of age) environmental advocates in local service on their ECs and with ANJEC.