74 Acres Added to Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough

By Somerset County Board of Freeholders

A Sept. 23 closing was held on 74 acres of land being deeded to the Somerset County Open Space program by land owner John Higgins. The acquisition was completed through a partnership with New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Hillsborough Township.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation secured an option agreement to purchase a total of 78 acres from Mr. Higgins, which was transferred to the County. Hillsborough Township has committed to contributing $500,000 toward the county’s preservation of the land. The county anticipates closing on the remaining four acres later in the year, which will include the demolition of two dilapidated structures.

The property will remain largely in its natural state. The county and New Jersey Conservation Foundation will work together to develop a management plan that will outline planning and management activities most appropriate for the health and public enjoyment of the land.

The property, which is located near the intersection of Wertsville and Montgomery roads, is contiguous to other open space lands acquired by Somerset County in recent years and will encourage the expansion of the Sourland Mountain Preserve to the Hunterdon County border, where many local, county and nonprofit preservation initiatives are currently underway.

“We are pleased to have worked with New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Hillsborough Township toward the common goal of preserving this property,” said Freeholder Director Mark Caliguire. “The acquisition adds key acreage to the county’s growing Sourland Mountain Preserve, providing opportunities for connections with preserved lands in Hunterdon County. The ongoing partnership with the Conservation Foundation to maintain the property will ensure that this significant environmental resource is protected for future generations.”

READ MORE ABOUT THIS OPEN-SPACE ACQUISITION