Monmouth County residents have recently received a wonderful gift, one that is going to make the coming autumn a season worth looking forward to.
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autumn → receive → gift
The 90-acre Scudder Preserve, in the Navesink section of Middletown, was officially accredited in July as a Level I Arboretum by ArbNet.
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Preserve → accredit → ArbNet
Among its many treasures are a state-designated 201-year-old tulip tree, rare American chestnuts, immense white oaks and abundant wildlife, all of which the public is welcome to enjoy.
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public → designate → which
The Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF), which owns and stewards the preserve, has opened it to the public for free as a community resource for conservation, environmental education and outdoor exploration.
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which → own → conservation
“This is easily one of the most unique properties in New Jersey, and provides an outstanding opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our involvement with nature and history,” Tom Dallessio, MCF’s executive director, said.
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Dallessio → provide → nature
As an accredited arboretum, the preserve joins an international network dedicated to studying and conserving trees.
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preserve → join → trees
Connecting Habitats Across NJ has also recognised the property as a valuable core wildlife habitat, identifying essential areas needed to maintain ecological connectivity throughout the state.
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Habitats → recognise → state
A legacy of conservation
The preserve's story began more than 40 years ago, when landowners Richard and Elizabeth Scudder strove to protect their property from development.
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Scudder → begin → development
They donated partial conservation easements to the Monmouth Conservation Foundation land trust.
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They → donate → trust
By 2012, when Dick passed away, the couple had donated their entire 90 acres to New Jersey Audubon, which in turn gifted the property to MCF in 2024.
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which → pass → 2024
D&R Greenway Land Trust and MCF now jointly hold the conservation easements, ensuring the land’s long-term ecological integrity.
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Trust → hold → integrity
“For more than 40 years, the Scudder family cared for the property with preservation in mind, followed by stewardship by the Audubon Society, before it found a home with MCF.
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it → care → MCF
Now Scudder Preserve supports abundant wildlife, established trees, and dynamic, resilient ecosystems.
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Preserve → support → wildlife
That’s what conservation can do,” Lauren Orme, MCF Communications & Engagement programs manager, said.
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Orme → ’ → what
This first land ownership provides a rare opportunity for MCF to restore native plants, improve forest and meadow health, control invasive species, protect water quality and increase the property’s resilience to climate change.
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MCF → provide → change
MCF also plans to renovate the original Scudder homestead into offices and educational space.
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MCF → plan → offices
Significant funding made this work possible, including a $500,000 grant from the New Jersey Resources Coastal Climate Initiative and a $1 million anonymous donation.
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work → make → Initiative
In just two years, it has accomplished a lot.
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it → accomplish → lot
A forest stewardship plan is already in place, and a Natural Resource Inventory has documented the property’s plants and trees.
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Inventory → document → plants
Several plant identification signs have been installed, with more to come.
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signs → instal → more
Nature trails are being upgraded, and the Rhododendron Trail has been linked to adjacent Huber Woods.
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Trail → upgrade → Woods
MCF is working with Rutgers to incorporate stormwater management by designing bioswales and a native-plant rain garden, which will reduce sediment and nutrient runoff into the pond.
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which → work → pond
MCF also completed an invasive species assessment, with control efforts currently underway.
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efforts → complete → assessment
“It’s incredible to see so many species that you don’t usually see in one place,” said Keith Clayton, MCF’s new stewardship manager.
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Clayton → ’ → place
As part of the preserve’s plant identification project, he’s been tagging multiple species to showcase native trees and plants.
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he → tag → trees
Clayton emphasised that conservation does not mean erasing the property’s history.
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conservation → emphasise → history
“The Scudders loved their ornamental plants, too, and we want to show how you can incorporate natives into beautiful gardens,” he explained.
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he → love → gardens
“That balance between history, horticulture and conservation is part of what makes Scudder Preserve special, and MCF can now help create connections for people to the land,” Dallessio said.
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Dallessio → make → land
MCF already offers free conservation programs to the public at the preserve, including evening hikes, guided birdwatching and monarch butterfly tagging with the Field to Flight Foundation.
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MCF → offer → Foundation
If you can’t make it to the preserve, MCF also brings educational conservation programs directly to the community.
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MCF → make → community
Last year its Conservation Van brought programs to more than 3,000 students, with approximately 75% of them in underserved schools.
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% → bring → schools
"MCF, working with state, Monmouth County and Middletown Township officials, hopes that Scudder Preserve will provide opportunities for people – especially children – to enjoy, learn about and help protect our natural environment,” said Jack Tassini, MCF Board of Trustees president.
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Tassini → work → Trustees
The Aporia
