Open Space News

Trenton, NJ – The Keep It Green campaign announced today it is now running radio ads calling on Governor Corzine to stop opposing open space legislation, environmentalists’ top priority. The ads follow on the heels of Memorial Day weekend flights from Cape May to Sandy Hook of a banner urging people to call the Governor as “open space is at risk!” 

The Keep It Green campaign warns of the continued loss of open space and its adverse impacts on the state’s drinking water supply, as well as the loss of parks and recreational opportunities for our children that so many relied on this past weekend, the unofficial start of summer, and a key cog in the state’s economic engine.

To hear the ad, visit http://www.outdoorrecreationalliance.org/PlaneFlyover.htm .  Photos of the banner flying over Belmar Saturday are available at http://www.outdoorrecreationalliance.org/PlaneFlyover.htm . A script of the ad and copy of the photo are attached as well.

The Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) has been the nation’s most successful open space program, saving hundreds of thousands of acres a year, but it will run out of funding at the end of this year.  The campaign is calling on the Governor and the Legislature to reauthorize funding for GSPT by passing ACR10/SCR 136 before leaving for the summer. Citizen and legislative support for ACR10/SCR136 is overwhelming.

The environmentalists are urging Senate President Codey, Assembly Speaker Roberts and Governor Corzine to end the political bargaining that threatens the Trust’s solvency, lead or get out of the way, and allow the voters to decide whether they want to renew the Trust this November.

“Already preservation efforts are coming to a halt.  If the Governor and Legislature do not act now the Trust will have nothing left,” stated the Keep it Green campaign’s radio advertisement. “Governor Corzine and the legislature shouldn’t play politics with New Jersey’s open space.”

The Keep it Green campaign encourages citizens concerned about the future of open space to call Governor Corzine, Speaker Roberts, President Codey, and their Assembly members and Senators.  Tell them that we need to keep funding open space, creating new parks, and saving historic buildings.  Let the politicians in Trenton know you want this on the ballot – let the voters decide!

The Keep It Green Campaign is a coalition of over 90 environmental organizations,land trusts, sportsmen’s groups, faith-based groups, watershed associations, and historic preservation, affordable housing and urban park advocates from across the state calling on the Governor and the State Legislature to renew the GSPT this year.

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Keep It Green Radio Ad

Child:                  New Jersey loses 50 acres of open space to development every day, polluting our water, adding more traffic to our overcrowded roads, and paving over our Garden State. (sound of chain saws, car honks, and construction noise)

Adult Woman:     The Garden State Preservation Trust is the major force against rampant sprawl and over development, preserving 3 acres of open space for every acre developed.  (sound of kids playing)

Child:                  The Trust preserves open space and creates safe parks for kids but will soon run out of money.

Adult Woman:     Already, preservation efforts are coming to a halt. If the Governor and the Legislature do not act soon, the Trust will have NOTHING LEFT.

Child:                  The longer we wait, the more land and water will be destroyed and kids will have fewer places to play today and tomorrow.

Adult Woman:     Governor Corzine and the Legislature shouldn’t play politics with New Jersey’s open space. 

Child:                  Call Governor Corzine at 609-292-6000. Tell him to support the open space legislation – ACR 10 – and let the voters decide whether to renew the state’s open space fund this year.  609-292-6000 extension 3.

Adult Woman:     Paid for by New Jersey Keep It Green, a project of the Conservation Campaign, 20 Community Place, Morristown, NJ.