(DOYLESTOWN, PA, June 5, 2008) – The Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the county Land Preservation Department have been recognized for their efforts to preserve the Musconetcong River corridor.

The Heritage Conservancy presented its Community Leadership Award to Freeholder Director John DiMaio, Freeholder Richard D. Gardner and Freeholder Everett A. Chamberlain, along with Land Preservation Administrator Robert Resker. The recognition is one of the conservancy’s 2008 Heritage Partnership Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to preserving and enhancing the region’s natural and historic resources.

DiMaio, Gardner and Resker attended the Heritage Conservancy’s “Garden Party” Member Appreciation and Donor Recognition event, which celebrated the conservancy’s 50 years of success in land conservation and historic preservation.

“This year our Community Leadership Award is being given to the Warren County Freeholders and the Land Preservation Administrator for their creativity and vision to foster and fund enhanced river access and recreation within the County,” said Marian P. Sumner, the conservancy’s Vice President, Planning & Implementation, during the event held at the Aldie Mansion in Doylestown.

“In January, the Freeholders authorized grant funds to both Heritage Conservancy and the Musconetcong Watershed Association to complete river-related recreation projects,” Sumner continued. “The funding will allow Heritage Conservancy to purchase and protect a 5.6-acre parcel on Route 57 and the Musconetcong River, near Port Murray, NJ.”

“It’s great to be able to partner with groups like Heritage Conservancy,” DiMaio said. The County wants to focus on acquisition and preservation of open space, he said, explaining, “We can put money into acquisition and not have to put the annual dollars up to operate and maintain it.”

DiMaio added, “Anything we can do to preserve land along the Musconetcong River is a great benefit to all of us.”

Sumner explained Heritage Conservancy began working more than 10 years ago in the Musconetcong River region with the Musconetcong Watershed Association and the National Park Service on a study to determine the river’s eligibility for designation as a national wild and scenic river. This collaboration led to the federal designation in 2005.

“Recognizing the importance of the entire Musconetcong River Valley region, Heritage Conservancy’s Board of Directors designated the region as one of our of  seven Lasting Landscapes®, areas with such important resources that they warrant a comprehensive approach to conservation to retain their unique sense of place,” she said.

To advance the Lasting Landscape goals, the conservancy has been building partnerships and working with stakeholders on a variety of projects including low impact development training; stormwater management education for municipal officials; the Route 57 Scenic Byway project and the Morris Canal/Musconetcong River greenway/heritage area planning project.

“This work has helped to strengthen our role in the region and has led to our current relationship with Warren County,” Sumner said.