The South Jersey Land and Water Trust is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve and protect the water resources and land within the watersheds of southern New Jersey through public education, advocacy, increased scientific understanding, and habitat preservation. As a multi-county association, the SJLWT is made up of people like you who want to ensure that there is abundant clean water for our families, that our streams, lakes, forests, and fields are preserved for all our children, and that we protect the wildlife habitats and open spaces that we all enjoy.

SJLWT’s Recent Successes & Future Efforts

LAND

• SJLWT has assisted in the preservation of over 1,360 acres including our most recent projects: the Daniels property, a 100 acre tract including an old growth forest in South Harrison Township; the Kammerer property, 35 acres in Mantua; the Finocchiaro Farm, 25 acres and the Cali Farm, 78 acres in Woolwich Township.
• SJLWT is currently working to preserve five properties, totaling 334 acres of land in Gloucester and Salem Counties.
• SJLWT has increased direct assistance to local municipalities in preserving farmland and open space in their communities.
• SJLWT attends hearings of local Planning Boards to provide information and raise questions about development projects that could affect important habitat.

Water

• SJLWT has assessed over 270 streams throughout South Jersey and, in the fall of 2008, began stream buffer and other restoration projects, including a retention basin vegetation retrofit.
• SJLWT has identified and is working to Save the Frogs by protecting over 75 vernal pools (frog and salamander breeding habitats) in South Jersey.
• SJLWT continues its Water Pollution education programs to reduce human impacts on our streams and lakes. This includes continuing the storm drain labeling program conducted by our area’s youth, maintaining the in-class presentations we offer in local schools, and offering teacher workshops.
• SJLWT staff gave over 60 “Protect Our Waterways” presentations to local schools and scout groups totaling over 1,000 children, with several more scheduled.
• SJLWT continues to co-sponsor the annual Gloucester County WaterFest (first Sunday in June), with the Gloucester County Department of Parks & Recreation.
• SJLWT has distributed over 500 free copies to teachers of A Teacher’s Guide to the Watersheds of Gloucester County (free download of the Guide is available at website: www.sjlandandwater.org)
• SJLWT works with lake associations in their clean-up and management efforts.
• SJLWT continues working to voice opinions and influence legislative and regulatory actions pertaining to land preservation and water protection in New Jersey.
• SJLWT has established many partnerships with other organizations in order to maximize the success of all our efforts.

The preserved Andaloro Farm,
Deptford Township, along Big Timber Creek