In the heart of one of America’s most densely populated states, a modest piece of land is making a major difference for wildlife. The Nature Conservancy (TNC), one of the nation’s most respected environmental nonprofits, is celebrating a significant step forward in their long-running effort to protect essential wildlife corridors in New Jersey.
Though the newly acquired property covers just 454 acres — small by the grand scale of national conservation projects — its strategic location makes it a vital addition to a much larger initiative aimed at safeguarding migratory pathways for wildlife in the region.
The land lies within an area known as “Bobcat Alley”, a stretch of countryside in Warren and Sussex counties along the northern tip of New Jersey. It’s here that crucial migratory routes allow wildlife to travel north and south through a narrowing in one of the most developed regions of the Appalachian Mountains.
Warren and Sussex counties sit at the crossroads where New Jersey meets Pennsylvania and New York, creating a natural pinch point for animal movement. For species like bobcats, black bears, red foxes, and river otters, these corridors are essential for survival, helping them find food, shelter, and mates while avoiding the dangerous obstacles posed by roads and expanding suburban sprawl.
Recognizing the growing threat of habitat fragmentation in the area, The Nature Conservancy launched the Bobcat Alley Initiative in 2014. The goal was ambitious: to preserve 32,000 acres of land and ensure that the state-endangered bobcat — which relies on vast, undisturbed territories — had a safe corridor to roam freely in and out of the state.
With New Jersey ranking as one of the most developed states in the country, suitable wilderness areas were disappearing fast. The original target aimed for TNC to directly acquire 60% of the desired acreage, or about 19,200 acres, while working with partners and local authorities to safeguard the remaining 40%.
Over the past decade, substantial progress has been made. Approximately 13,000 acres of the original target have already been protected, while local conservation partners working with the Bobcat Alley Initiative have secured another 1,529 acres. Yet with growing development pressures and new opportunities to connect existing protected areas, The Nature Conservancy recently decided to significantly expand their ambition.
Now, the goal is no longer 32,000 acres, but a staggering 96,000 acres. This tripling of scope aims to connect New Jersey’s section of Bobcat Alley with larger, already protected areas in New York’s Hudson River Valley and Pennsylvania’s Appalachian regions — creating a seamless corridor of protected habitat that spans across state lines.
In their latest success, TNC added two new properties: 189 acres of fields and forest in the Mount Pleasant area of Knowlton Township in Warren County, and 248 acres of rolling hills and woodland in Hampton Township, Sussex County. The latter property has been a focus of conservation efforts for over two decades.
“We are building Bobcat Alley piece by piece in a state where the land parcel sizes are modest, but cost is at a premium,” said Barbara Brummer, TNC’s New Jersey State Director, in a statement celebrating the new acquisitions.
“The project takes patience, commitment and teamwork, and we truly appreciate the partners that stepped up to help us protect these beautiful and critical natural areas for wildlife and people,” Brummer added.
The importance of this effort extends beyond bobcats. The Kittatinny Ridge, located to the northwest, is one of the largest remaining tracts of mature, unbroken forest in New Jersey, providing prime habitat for countless roaming species, including black bears and red foxes.
To the east lies the Southern Highlands, where ancient oak, maple, beech, and hickory forests remain. These woodlands support gray foxes, barred owls, and river otters, while also safeguarding vital water sources for the region. The Pequest and Musconetcong Rivers, flowing through these hills, provide essential habitat for brook trout — New Jersey’s only native trout species and its official state fish.
However, the Southern Highlands face a particularly urgent threat. Unlike the more rugged and remote Kittatinny Ridge, this area is at a higher risk of development. Conservationists warn that by the end of the century, all of New Jersey’s land will likely be either developed or protected — leaving no middle ground.
Despite the challenges, The Nature Conservancy remains committed to building Bobcat Alley, one parcel at a time. The project underscores the importance of protecting natural spaces in even the most developed parts of the country. Through patience, strategic planning, and collaboration with local partners, this initiative is ensuring a future where both wildlife and people can thrive.
In the words of Brummer, “The project takes patience, commitment and teamwork, and we truly appreciate the partners that stepped up to help us protect these beautiful and critical natural areas for wildlife and people.”
With every acre added to Bobcat Alley, the vision of a connected, thriving wilderness in northern New Jersey grows stronger — proving that sometimes small steps lead to the biggest impacts.
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