Monmouth Conservation Foundation

“The 990 is reviewed and approved by the finance committee prior to filing.”

“Annual review and sign-off of all board members and employees on the conflict of interest policy. If there are any potential conflict it is reviewed and a determined course of action is then followed out by the board of trustees.”

“All compensation is reviewed and authorized by the organization's compensation/finance committee.”

“All compensation is reviewed and authorized by the organization's compensation/finance committee.”

“The 990 is posted on the internet via the guidestar website and copies are available to anyone upon request”

“Monmouth conservation foundation was organized in 1977 by a group of citizens for the following purposes: to acquire, hold, preserve and protect the open lands, historic areas and park and recreational areas of monmouth county, new jersey, together with any buildings located thereon; to solicit and receive, including but not limited to, gifts, bequests, legacies, conservation easements and conveyances of real and personal property in furtherance of the purposes aforesaid; to apply for, receive and administer grants from private and public sources, federal, state, and county in furtherance of the purposes aforesaid; and to exercise all the rights, powers, and duties conferred on non-profit corporations under the laws of the state of new jersey”

“Land preservation highlights in august 2019, after years of negotiations, mcf and the nj department of environmental protection's green acres program acquired 190-acres of natural habitat as an addition to allaire state park. Known as the mcdowell, the price tag on this rare, undeveloped tract in wall township cost 3,819,000. In september and october 2019 mcf preserved two farms located in colts neck, known as the degroot and druesne farms. Consisting of a collective 60 acres, this farmland is now forever protected from development into as many as 30 homes. These farmland preservation projects totaled 2.1 million and were made possible with the assistance of colts neck township, monmouth county, and the nj department of agriculture. In november 2019 - 3 acres, slated for a 9-home development, was purchased by neptune township with the help of the nj department of environmental protection's green acres program. Formerly known as the oliver/shark river hills estates property, this land which was acquired for 1,255,000 is surrounded by a residential area and adjacent to access to the shark river and a public marina, will be transformed into a neighborhood park. Advocacy highlights mcf promoted grassroot efforts to create parks and save open space in local communities. Work included partnerships with concerned residents, municipal officials and municipal committee representatives to ensure the importance of parks and accessible greenspace are advocated for in communities across the county. Education highlights mcf offered youth education programs on conservation and sustainability. Mcf educated 1,000+ students about land conservation as a natural climate solution and provided hands-on stem training about sustainable agriculture across the county. Partnerships with elementary, middle, and high schools provided program participation opportunities to educate students about the mission of mcf. Stewardship highlights mcf defended 1,100 acres of permanently protected lands through the annual monitoring of easements. Mcf monitors conservation and agricultural easements that are held by the organization and those held by the county of monmouth through a contractual agreement between the county and mcf. Projects underway progress continues for 100-acres of park acquisition projects in howell and 7 acres in atlantic highlands, three farms consisting of 270-acres of farmland preservation in colts neck. Mcf is also working to improving access to parks in underserved areas throughout the county in municipalities such as long branch. Additionally, mcf is helping sea bright improve a waterfront, community park that will provide new passive recreation amenities for the residents. A continued partnership with the monmouth county park system on the long- term effort to transform the former chris' marina property into swimming river park. Mcf is working to further expand the park while also facilitating the extensive environmental remediation of the overall park area. Implementation of a new preservation program with the department of defense through the u.s. Navy and their repi program continues. This program will be a new funding source for land preservation efforts and will require a 50% cost share to match the government funds that mcf will fundraise. Several potential projects are lined up to utilize this new funding source.”