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Wantage, Hardyston and Lafayette Townships, Sussex County
348 Acres
In the mid-1980’s, John and Elizabeth Ohly teamed up with
the Commonwealth Land Concept, Inc. (CLC), a company that offers
alternative land development projects, to protect their 170-acre
farm that had been in the family for more than two centuries.
The preservation plan allowed for some development while preserving
most of the acreage as open space. The plan determined the farm
to be subdivided into one 78-acre wildlife sanctuary along with
five 15 to 22-acre building lots with conservation easements preventing
further subdivision and providing for agricultural uses. The wildlife
sanctuary was donated to the Trust, along with the conservation
easements. Thus, 150 acres of the 170-acre farm was permanently
protected. In 2001 and again in 2005, additional Congleton acreage
came under Trust management, bringing the total to 348 acres.
The Trust has carried out field management efforts by planting
native warm season grass as wildlife cover and mowing old fields
to reduce invasive species. Unique wetland ecosystems provide
habitat for a variety of threatened and endangered plants and
animals.
Public Access and Uses:
Parking and access is available from Beaver Run Road and Pond
School Road. Un-maintained pathways can provide access to some
sections of the preserve. The Trust allows registration
for deer hunting at this preserve.
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