FAQs
NJNLT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below is a list of the most common questions received by the Trust. If you have questions not shown below, please email us at or call 609-984-1339.

I am interested in selling or donating my land to the Trust. How do I start the process?

If you are considering an offer of land to the Trust, please complete and return to us an Application for Donation of Real Estate. In addition, to help landowners consider land preservation options, the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust and The Nature Conservancy of New Jersey published The Handbook of Landowner’s Options - A Guide to Land Protection in New Jersey. The handbook describes the options available to landowners who wish to preserve the natural attributes of their property. It illustrates how property owners can work together with private, nonprofit conservation organizations and government agencies to preserve open space through a variety of methods tailored to their individual needs.

I would like to purchase or lease land currently owned or managed by the Trust. Is that possible?

Since the Trust’s mission is to preserve land in its natural state in perpetuity for enjoyment by the public and to protect biodiversity, the Trust has adopted very strict guidelines against the transfer/diversion of Trust lands unless the transferee is a local government unit, nonprofit, or state or federal agency whose primary purpose is to acquire, administer, protect, develop and maintain lands for recreation or conservation purposes. See the Trust’s Guidelines for Conveyance of Land for further information.

Are Trust preserves open to the general public?

Most Trust preserves are open from dawn to dusk for passive recreation uses such as hiking, birding and nature study. In addition, many people volunteer to conduct clean ups and other authorized maintenance at Trust preserves. All visitors and volunteers at the preserves are reminded that Trust preserves are unimproved/undeveloped rural or semirural land and the Trust shall not be liable if a person is injured because of any natural risks or hazards that are inherent characteristics of such land. In addition, all collected trash and debris must be legally disposed; no trash or debris may be left at preserves without the Trust’s written permission.

The following activities are PROHIBITED on Trust Preserves:

  • Dumping or littering
  • Use of motorized vehicles except on public roads
  • Use of ATVs, quads, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles, wave-runners or other vehicles
  • Camping Fires or fireworks
  • Alcohol possession or use
  • Swimming
  • Climbing trees
  • Hunting for deer without written Trust permission
  • Hunting for bear, turkey, small game or waterfowl
  • Hunting on Sundays
  • Carrying or use of firearms or weapons other than for authorized deer hunting
  • Collection, harassment, or destruction of plants, animals, rocks, cultural artifacts, or fossils
  • Use of gas, electric or battery-powered landscaping equipment
  • Use of drones

I would like to hunt on a Trust preserve, how can I do that?

Deer hunting is available through registration/written permission at listed Trust preserves. To register to hunt at one of these preserves, please click here. Please note that registration is only open during the months of lawful deer hunting, September through February. Deer hunting is also available at six Trust preserves without the need for registration/written permission based on their proximity to state wildlife management areas.

It is important to note that even where the Trust allows hunting it does not allow hunting for waterfowl, small game, turkey or bear. The reason that the Trust allows deer hunting is to address the threat that over-browsing by deer poses to biodiversity. In addition, Sunday bow hunting is not authorized on Trust preserves as it is on state wildlife management areas and private property during deer season.

While deer hunting on Trust preserves, all rules and regulations in the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife game code must be followed. Hunting deer by bow and arrow, shotgun or muzzleloader are acceptable, depending on the preserve. No target shooting or discharge of weapons other than for deer hunting purposes is permitted. Permanent deer stands are not allowed, and portable deer stands, while permitted, must be removed after the hunting season is completed or are subject to confiscation by the Trust.

How do I know that my land will be permanently preserved if I donate it to the Trust?

The Trust’s statutory mission is to preserve land in a natural state in perpetuity. To ensure that the land stays permanently preserved, the Trust has adopted very strict guidelines against the transfer/diversion of Trust lands unless the transferee is a local government unit, nonprofit, or state or federal agency whose primary purpose is to acquire, administer, protect, develop and maintain lands for recreation or conservation purposes. See the Trust’s Guidelines for Conveyance of Land for further information.