Family continues legacy of conservation in the Highlands

Some 50 years ago, William Hosford went on a fishing trip in a secluded area of West Milford in Passaic County. He decided then and there that the beautiful natural area would be useful for more than just catching bass. Hosford wanted to create a retreat where his entire family could come together and experience nature's beauty.

NJCF's newly acquired West Milford, Passaic County property will offer hiking opportunities.

"I can remember running in the woods, just playing outdoors," said Allison Hosford, 59, one of William and Marjorie Hosford's 19 grandchildren. "I can remember picnics and Thanksgivings where we would have 40 people come together to celebrate life in this spectacular natural area. Five generations of our family have been able to experience this special place and we don't want it to change."

In April, the Hosford family sold 103 acres of their West Milford and Bloomingdale land to NJCF to preserve the environmentally sensitive area, which is part of the Highlands region. Located in the headwaters of the Passaic River Basin, the property's preservation will help protect water resources throughout the area, lessen the potential for flooding and provide trails for public access.

Located in NJCF's Heart of the Highlands project area, the $568,000 acquisition was funded equally by NJCF through grants from the State Green Acres program and Passaic County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. Preservation of the Hosford land has been a long-term project for NJCF, which has been working with the family for over 10 years, and previously preserved two properties owned by family members.

"I know our grandfather would not want to see the land developed," said Eve Hosford, 54, another Hosford grandchild. "Our family has too many great memories of hiking and fishing and just enjoying the outdoors to let that happen."

"I think he would be thrilled and very proud," said Allison Hosford, whose preserved West Milford farm borders her family's property. "I think both my grandfather and father, who have since passed away, would be proud that their children and grandchildren value the land that they both cherished so much."

The Hosford family still retains nearly 330 acres of property surrounding Arcadia Lake in West Milford. The 103 acres newly acquired by NJCF is steeply sloped and contains damp small headwater streams of the Passaic River. A hiking trail will be accessible to the public from Weaver Road in West Milford, near Macopin Road.

"The preservation of this property can help reduce flooding downstream in flood-prone communities like Wayne, Pompton Lakes, Lincoln Park, Fairfield and Little Falls," said Emile DeVito, Ph.D., NJCF Manager of Science and Stewardship. "Excessive development leaves no place for rainwater to be absorbed, but preservation projects like this one can help."

The property is near NJCF's Apshawa Preserve and other NJCF preserved lands as well as Norvin Green State Forest, creating opportunities to link large parcels of open space. The forested parcel contains wetlands and provides habitat for many threatened and endangered species including barred owl, red-shouldered hawk, ground-nesting birds like ovenbirds and wood thrushes and numerous reptiles and amphibians.

"We were impressed with the environmental quality of the property, which is in the Highlands preservation area," said Jim Rogers, Open Space Consultant for the Passaic County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. "The preservation fit perfectly with the Passaic County Open Space Master Plan since it is adjacent to other lands preserved by NJCF."