Northeastern Area

The Highlands of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

Conservation in the Highlands

In 1990 Congress directed the USDA Forest Service to conduct a study of the Highlands that would assess the region’s resources and land use patterns, examine the impacts of change, and propose strategies to protect the long-term integrity of lands and traditional land uses within the region. The USDA Forest Service published its first study of the New York – New Jersey Highlands in 1992.

Five conservation goals were enunciated:

• Manage future growth.
• Maintain an adequate supply of quality water.
• Conserve contiguous forests.
• Provide appropriate recreational opportunities.
• Promote economic prosperity that is compatible with the previous four goals.

Since then, over 25,000 acres of forest have been protected through acquisition of land or conservation easements, and over 16,000 acres of farmland have been protected through purchase of development rights. Both New York and New Jersey have recognized the Highlands’ uniqueness in their state plans. Measures have been taken to protect water and improve lakes and streams. Highlands communities have undertaken the refinement of their planning, zoning, and land development regulations.

The Updated Study of the New York and New Jersey Highlands Region, 2002

“There are no easy solutions to the challenges of sustaining America’s forests and communities. The job is too big for any one group or agency…in partnership we can ensure their future.” – Dale Bosworth, Chief, USDA Forest Service

In 2000 Congress directed the USDA Forest Service to reassess the natural resources of the Highlands, analyze land cover and potential land use change, identify significant areas to be conserved and protected, develop strategies to protect the long-term integrity of the region. The USDA Forest Service’s updated study of the Highlands, completed in 2002, set forth eight strategies for advancing the conservation goals established in 1992. The strategies were offered with the understanding that conservation of the rich and valuable landscape will be accomplished only through a broad partnership that brings together complimentary strengths, information, and resources. The Conservation Strategies are:

• Inform people about the Highlands' resource values.
• Provide consistent and updated information on the Highlands’ resources.
• Promote stewardship and protect landowner equity in private lands.
• Provide current and new information on management issues and practices on public and private lands.
• Acquire easements and land for conservation purposes or compensate private landowners and local government for conservation of natural resources.
• Improve State and local land use planning practices as a means of conserving the Highlands’ resources.
• Improve and coordinate regional, interstate, and intrastate conservation efforts.
• Use indicators to measure and monitor changes in Highlands’ resources.

Protecting the Highlands

Properly managed forests provide wood, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, recreational opportunities, and other benefits to the environment and to the community. It is, therefore, in the people’s interest to promote good stewardship in both public and private forests, to advance the science and art of silviculture, and to disseminate its knowledge and techniques to those who work in the forests. The goal of forest stewardship is a working, sustainable landscape, both ecologically and economically.

Forest Stewardship brings State foresters, biologists, and private forestry consultants to the aid of private landowners. These professionals advise and assist forest owners in developing a detailed natural resource management plan reflecting both the landowner’s objectives and the best understanding of conservation issues. Stewardship plans provide guidance landowners can carry out themselves, or employ in collaboration with professional resource managers and consultants.

Conservation in the Highlands’ States

Connecticut’s programs to foster and ensure sustainable management of privately owned forests are administered in the Highlands by:

Regional Forester
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Forestry
Eastern District
209 Hebron Road
Marlborough, CT 06447

Telephone: 860-295-9523

New Jersey’s programs to foster and ensure sustainable management of privately owned forests are administered in the Highlands by:

Regional Forester
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Parks and Forestry
Northern Region
240 Main Street
Andover, NJ 07821

Telephone: 973-827-1325

New York State’s programs to foster and ensure sustainable management of privately owned forests are administered in the Highlands by:

Regional Forester
New York Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Lands and Forests
Region 3
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561

Telephone: 845-256-3111

Pennsylvania’s programs to foster and ensure sustainable management of privately owned forests are administered by:

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Rural & Community Forestry Section
Bureau of Forestry
Middletown, PA

Telephone: 717-787-2106