Open Space News

Trenton, NJ – For the 13th consecutive time since 1961, voters showed their support for New Jersey’s highly successful open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs by approving Ballot Question #3 by a margin of 54% to 46%, with 100% of the districts reporting statewide.   

The question was the only primary ballot question to receive voter approval, as both the property tax and stem cell measure went down to close defeats.

The question’s chief backers, the Keep It Green Campaign, touted this victory as a clear message that preservation is a top priority of New Jersey residents, while also noting the question provides only enough funds for one year.  A long-term dedicated funding source for the Garden State Preservation Trust must be identified and secured to continue these programs beyond one year. 

“This is a great victory for open space and the people of New Jersey!" stated Jeff Tittel, Director of the NJ Sierra Club.  “Today, public interest triumphed over well funded out-of-state special interests.  With more open space protecting our precious water and parks for our children, this is not just a victory for today but for future generations.”

"New Jersey voters once again said yes to keeping the Garden in the Garden State," said Doug O'Malley, field director for Environment New Jersey. "But if we want to permanently protect our last open spaces, we need Gov. Corzine and the Legislature to hammer out a long-term funding solution for our open space crisis."

“Voters have spoken – the 13th time is a charm for clean water and parks,” stated the NJ Environmental Federation’s David Pringle. “With the skirmish for stopgap funding won, the greater battle for longer term funding returns. We look forward to working with the Legislature and Governor to fulfill his commitment to winning that battle in lame duck.”

The Keep It Green Campaign has coordinated the efforts of over 90 non-profit organizations, from statewide environmental organizations, land trusts, sportsman groups, affordable housing advocates, environmental justice organizations, faith-based groups, to farmland and historic preservation organizations.  Through the efforts of these organizations, along with 104 endorsing municipalities, 40 endorsing businesses, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, the League of Women’s Voters, the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, volunteers from throughout the state, and grassroots support, the campaign successfully reached well over one million New Jersey voters.  

“Voter approval of this ballot question only further confirms the need for New Jersey to remain at the forefront of preservation efforts by continuing funding for programs that have demonstrated their effectiveness in protecting our quality of life and ensuring that New Jersey remains a livable and enjoyable state for future generations,” said Tom Gilmore, President, New Jersey Audubon Society.

The Campaign held over 25 press conferences throughout the state; talked to residents at over 30 fairs and festivals; coordinated the efforts of over a 100 volunteers; distributed 150,000 Vote Yes on 3 flyers; aired paid radio stations spots reaching 900,000 listeners per week for three weeks: organized volunteer get-out-the-vote phone banks at three locations; installed 2,000 yard signs around the State; and reached more than 400,000 newspaper readers with front-page stick on ads reminding them to “Vote Yes on 3”.   

“The Keep It Green Campaign has effectively mobilized the resources of over 90 organizations throughout New Jersey to ensure the passage of this valuable one-year preservation funding mechanism.  Voters have once again overwhelmingly demonstrated their interest in protecting our state’s cherished natural and cultural resources,” explained Joanna Wolaver, Conservation Project Coordinator, New Jersey Audubon Society.

The Keep It Green Campaign urges the Governor and Legislators to listen to New Jersey voters and secure a long-term stable source of funding for the acquisition, capital improvement, operation, maintenance, and stewardship of state and local natural areas, parks and historic sites in New Jersey as soon as possible in the current legislative session, which ends in January of next year.

“Voters clearly recognized that we can’t slow the pace of land preservation if we expect New Jersey to be a livable state in the future,” expressed Alison Mitchell, Policy Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

“Passage of this year’s ballot question will keep these critical quality-of-life programs afloat for only one more year,” stated Tom Wells of The Nature Conservancy. “The Keep it Green Campaign is redoubling its efforts to ensure that a long-term source of funding for these programs is approved before they grind to a halt eliminating the State’s last line of defense against overdevelopment.”         

 "I'm pleased that the New Jersey Historic Trust will have another year of funding to preserve the state's cultural treasures from neglect and destruction," said Megan Thomas, President of Preservation New Jersey.  "Without Historic Trust grants, New Jersey risks losing its historic landscapes and neighborhoods."

"Tuesday's approval of question # 3 evidences strong voter commitment to fund programs that protect watershed, preserve farms and historic structures and create new urban parks.  It also sends a strong message to our elected officials to move quickly to create a stable source of funding for critical preservation programs," said Terrence Nolan, New Jersey Director of the Trust for Public Land.

“In voting for Public Question #3, New Jerseyans have shown their support for continued funding for saving open space, parks and farmland and ensuring that many historic structures don't disappear as the result of the wrecking ball. Without this affirmative vote, the New Jersey Historic Trust would have had no more funds to help municipalities and preservation groups restore significant buildings, lighthouses and historic gardens throughout the state.  Thank you to the voters of New Jersey!" explained Carolann Clynes, Chair of the New Jersey Historic Trust.

“Once again, the voters of New Jersey have showed their true colors – green, green and green.  By approving the funds needed to keep New Jersey’s open space, farmland and historic preservation programs afloat for one more year, non-profit organizations like D&R Greenway will be able to continue our work, permanently protecting our natural lands, open spaces and agricultural lands,” stated Linda J. Mead, Executive Director, D&R Greenway Land Trust.

* The New Jersey Keep It Green Campaign is a coalition of over 90 organizations from across the state working to ensure the passage of the Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007 this November and to renew and strengthen the Garden State Preservation Trust.. For more information please visit www.NJKeepItGreen.org or contact Joanna Wolaver at Joanna.wolaver@njaudubon.org