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In keeping with Governor Murphy's COVID-19 State of Emergency declaration, Green Acres staff is transitioning to working remotely. Our dedication to meeting New Jersey's recreation and conservation goals continues. If you have a general question, please email GreenAcres@dep.nj.gov and someone will respond as soon as possible. Thank you.
Green Acres Mission
To achieve, in partnership with others, a system of interconnected open spaces, whose protection will preserve and enhance New Jersey's natural environment and its historic, scenic, and recreational resources for public use and enjoyment. The Green Acres Program was created in 1961 to meet New Jersey's growing recreation and conservation needs. Together with public and private partners, Green Acres has protected over half a million acres of open space and provided hundreds of outdoor recreational facilities in communities around the State.
Blue Acres Funding
The Green Acres, Farmland, Blue Acres, and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2007 authorized $12 million for acquisition of lands in the floodways of the Delaware River, Passaic River or Raritan River, and their respective tributaries, for recreation and conservation purposes. An additional $24 million was approved by the voters in the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009.
Properties (including structures) that have been damaged by, or may be prone to incurring damage caused by, storms or storm-related flooding, or that may buffer or protect other lands from such damage, are eligible for acquisition.
For further information on this program, and for useful links regarding current emergency management efforts and guidance, please see our Blue Acres Floodplain Acquisition page. You may wish to review our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
If you are a landowner interested in offering your land for sale to the State under the Blue Acres program, please complete and submit the Blue Acres Offer Application (PDF available in English and Spanish) and submit it to:
State of New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program
Mail Code 501–01
P.O. Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625–0420
Make two copies of the completed application. Keep one for your own records and submit one to your towns clerk.
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New and Noteworthy
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A public hearing on initial applications filed with the Tax Exemption Program in 2021 will be held on September 8, 2021. (See information on our Public Notices page)
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Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants (ORLP):
Outdoor recreation grants are now available through the National Park Services
Federal funding is available to eligible local governments and Federally recognized tribes for the acquisition of land that will be transformed into a park, the development of park facilities, or the significant rehabilitation of parkland in certain urban areas. A total of $150 million will be awarded nationally on a 50% matching basis. Eligible applicants must submit pre-applications to the Green Acres Program; grants can range from $300,000 to $5 million per project. Details on the grant process and a list of the qualifying local governments can be found on the Green Acres Program's LWCF Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants page. ORLP Pre-applications will be accepted through August 6, 2021.
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APPLICATION EXTENSION NOTICE
The Green Acres Program hereby extends the 2021 deadlines for application submission, as follows:
Urban Parks applications:
Now due June 30, 2021 (previously June 15th)
Green Acres applications:
Now due July 15, 2021 (previously June 30th)
We strongly encourage you to submit your complete application as soon as possible. Early submission may allow us to provide feedback prior to the new deadline.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact your assigned county contact or reach out via GreenAcresApplications@dep.nj.gov.
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Green Acres funding round announced
Grants and loans available for recreation and conservation projects
Municipalities, counties, and eligible nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for Green Acres funding for land acquisition, park development, and natural resource stewardship projects.
Applications will be accepted through July 15, 2021 (date extended).
Links to applications:
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Urban Parks Grants:
Grants are now available under the DEP's new Urban Parks initiative.
Funding is available to eligible local governments for the acquisition of land that will be transformed into a park, the development of park facilities, or the rehabilitation of historic properties. Applicants are eligible for grants up to $500,000 per project. These grants do not require a local match. A total of $2.5 million will be awarded; additional funding may become available.
The list of eligible municipalities is included in the Urban Parks application (download the application here). Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2021 (date extended).
Urban Parks grants may be leveraged against Green Acres funding.
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Blue Acres Buyout Program is seeking Direct Purchase Authority Bids for Phase 1 Archeology and NJ Historic Site Council Project Authorization Application Preparation
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A new Scope of Survey Services and Standard Detail Requirements for Green Acres and Green Acres-funded acquisitions became effective July 1, 2020, and is now available through the Green Acres Survey Section pages.
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North Bergen Pre-Application for Braddock Park School Trailers and EMS Building at 43rd Street Park documents have been posted as a courtesy to the public here.
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Readopted Green Acres rules extend the program to 2025.
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Come check out the latest NJ preservation effort with the NJDEP's Brandee Chapman!
The DEP and partner agencies are pleased to announce the preservation of 2,218 acres of picturesque woodlands in Sussex County.
"This is one of the largest state-coordinated preservation efforts in New Jersey in years," Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources Ray Bukowski said. "The acquisition of the conservation easements for this beautiful property will enhance the public's quality of life by creating passive recreational opportunities, preserving wildlife habitats, protecting water quality and preventing future development."
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Blue Acres Floodplain Acquisition information
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