A fitting testament to Nancy’s legacy
West Milford. The Land Conservancy of New Jersey opens the 198-acre Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve.
| 19 Oct 2020 | 12:53
Pictured from left to right are: Andy Dietz, Land Conservancy Chair of the Board; Bill Conger; Land Conservancy President David Epstein; and U.S. Rep. David Epstein. Provided photo.
The 198-acre Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve was established in 2017 to preserve the headwaters of the West Brook — a major source of clean water for the Wanaque Reservoir, which is the largest drinking water reservoir in the Garden State, on which two million New Jersey residents rely for drinking water.
Nancy Conger (Photo source: Land Conservancy of New Jersey).
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer spoke at the grand opening and naming of the Land Conservancy of New Jersey’s Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The preserve is named in memory of the former chair of the Board of Trustees of the Land Conservancy of New Jersey.
The 198-acre Nancy Conger West Brook Preserve was established in 2017 to preserve the headwaters of the West Brook — a major source of clean water for the Wanaque Reservoir, which is the largest drinking water reservoir in the Garden State, on which two million New Jersey residents rely for drinking water.
Forty-three acres to be added
The Land Conservancy just completed a major restoration project at the preserve, restoring more than a mile of damaged streams. Forty percent of the investment for the project came from the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Forty-three acres will be added to the reserve next year, made possible by federal investment from the National Park Service’s (NPS) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Gottheimer recently helped pass the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, which has now been signed into law, which permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
‘A memorial to Nancy’
“This preserve will forever be memorial to Nancy and her amazing work in the community,” Gottheimer said. “Throughout my time in Congress, during this crisis, and looking forward, I will continue to stand with all of you in our fight to keep our air and water clean for our families and for the generations to come.
“I’m proud that this can be such a fitting testament to Nancy’s legacy of helping to preserve our land,” the congressman added, “and one that allows her to watch over it for years to come.”