As I look ahead to Earth Day, I love recalling my childhood. I was very fortunate to grow up on a farm in the lowlands of Scotland, not far from Edinburgh, with a stream flowing
along one side (directly into the local whisky distillery!), a place where my family grew
barley, wheat and oats, and raised cattle and sheep. Particularly I remember playing with my siblings in the beautiful Scottish countryside, riding ponies all over beside my sister. It was a magical place to grow up.

 

That is Scotland, where farmland - simply stated - must remain farmland; it’s still beautiful today. Had it been New Jersey, because of development, pollution and poor land use planning decisions, today this area and its ecosystems, where many of my fondest memories occurred, would be gone – built over. Many of northern New Jersey’s farmlands, fresh in the memories of just a generation ago, are now suburbs.

 

I’m sure many of you love special places like mine that influenced your own
environmental awareness and stewardship. You and I are alike in many ways, sharing
common values. We understand how important it is to protect our remaining rural
landscapes and the water and other natural, cultural and recreational resources we hold
precious for all society, especially for our children, and for the public’s health - physical and mental.

2018-2019
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Sandy Batty

PRESIDENT

 

Jean Rich
1st VICE PRESIDENT

 

Edward (Ned) Kirby
2nd VICE PRESIDENT

 

Mark Lohbauer
SECRETARY

 

David Budd

TREASURER

 

Candace McKee Ashmun
Jan Barry
Benjamin Burton
George Cassa
William Cogger
John Donahue
Marion Harris
Wynnie-Fred V. Hinds
Stephen Galpin
Michael Douglas Henderson
William Kibler
Cinny MacGonagle
Ben Spinelli, Esq.
John Thonet, PP, PE.
Rev. Skip and Joyce Vilas
Lee Wallace

The fight for clean water and open space is a long one. The odds are uneven. Special
interests always have exponentially more money. We have been here before. The New
Jersey Highlands Coalition is always ready for the challenge. We have filed lawsuits in
federal and state courts challenging incompatible development proposals; we support our grassroots members in their struggles; we educate; we advocate. That’s our purpose. But to successfully fulfill that purpose, we need you to actively participate in our team -- your support is essential.

 

As Earth Day approaches, we still face uncertainty about the future health of the forests
of the Highlands, like Sparta Mountain, Stokes, and Mahlon Dickerson, where forest
management plans that include unnecessary logging, are examples. However, because
of our outreach to the new administration at DEP, this winter, acres of forest will not
be logged, and important data about rare plants, tree species and age diversity will be developed. With support from multiple experts and member organizations, using science and public pressure, the stewardship discussion is changing about how best to protect the forests of this highly sensitive region. But we have much work to do. Each small change is multiplied, and makes a big difference. That’s where you come in. Be a part of the change, because your support of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition matters!

 

The pristine waters, rolling farmland, trees reaching to the stars, and so much more that we love about the Highlands region, are wholly worth the effort necessary to protect them. Together, we will make a brighter future for New Jersey.

 

The Legislature’s repeal of weakened Highlands Septic rules -- it didn’t happen in a vacuum. This is an example of how your support allows us to fight to keep protective rules in place. Elliott Ruga, our policy expert, continues to work closely with legislative staff and leadership to derail constant efforts to weaken the Highlands Act and other rules that protect the Highlands. Another example: Parsippany - Troy Hills recently voted unanimously to restart conformance to the Regional Master Plan after being persuaded by the Coalition that withdrawing from the process had been a mistake. This marked an important step in the right direction.

NJHC thanks elected officials who helped repeal DEP’s weakened septic density provisions. (Photo: Elliott Ruga)

Not only is Earth Day a time to celebrate, it is also a time to make a difference!