We Are All Stakeholders in the Highlands Regional Master Plan

URWA has been closely monitoring the progress of the Highlands Council to develop and implement the Highlands Regional Master Plan since the Council was created.  82% of the Upper Raritan watershed is in the Highlands region – 27% in the Preservation Area and 55% in the Planning Area. 17 of our 19 Highlands municipalities are either completely or partially in the Planning area.

Over the last several years we've reviewed many, many reports and made recommendations to strengthen policies and encourage actions that we believe will provide the best protection for the precious water and other natural resources of the Highlands region.  Earlier this month, we made the following observations to the NJ DEP when it held a Highlands Stakeholders meeting:  

• URWA wants to see as much authority as possible given to the Highlands Council.
• We strongly support the current 88 and 25 acre zoning.
• We want all Water Quality Management Plans in the Planning Area to be reviewed by the Council.
• We look forward to land values in the Highlands increasing in value, just as protected land in the Pinelands has.

It is in the best interest of all new Jerseyans to support the Highlands Regional Master Plan and work with the Highlands Council to strengthen the Plan. We all depend on clean water resources for our homes, industry, and agriculture; therefore we each rely on the success of this Plan.

It's Green Frog Season!

Despite its name, the Green Frog can actually be more brown than green in color.  They are found in any body of freshwater in New Jersey.  Their voice sounds like a loose banjo string with each note becoming less and less loud. Young Green Frogs issue an alarm call when frightened, making a high-pitched peep as they jump into the water.  Folks at URWA are happy to see healthy Green Frogs in the pond at Fairview Farm.  In some parts of the watershed frogs are threatened by non-point source pollution caused by substances such as, lawn fertilizers, road salt and pharmaceuticals that get into the streams. 

To learn more about how you can protect our water supplies for humans and wildlife, visit URWA’s website www.urwa.org.

Celebrate National Trails Day® at Fairview Farm with a Guided Walk on Sunday, June 13th

National Trails Day® is a celebration of trails that evolved from the report of President Ronald Reagan's President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. In 1987, the report recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps. The recommendation, dubbed Trails for All Americans, became the impetus behind National Trails Day® in 1993.

To celebrate National Trails Day the Upper Raritan Watershed Association will host free guided trail walks at Fairview Farm on Sunday, June 13th. The walks will be a great opportunity to breathe fresh air, get your heart pumping and escape from stress! Guided walks will begin at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., noon and 1:00 p.m. and each will last approximately one hour. The terrain is not challenging, but the trails will be muddy if it rains beforehand, so be sure to wear appropriate shoes (sneakers, walking shoes or other closed toe footwear is recommended). No reservations are necessary, and participants are welcome to stay after the guided walk to explore more of the trails at Fairview Farm.

National Trails Day Guided Walks at Fairview Farm
Sunday, June 13th
10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., Noon and 1:00 p.m.
Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster

Fore more information about the Guided Walks at Fairview Farm, please call Lauren Theis at (908) 234-1852, ext. 12 or email ltheis@urwa.org.