Official Site of The State of New Jersey
The Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding program is a matching grant program designed to support the acquisition of property for the protection of resources within the Highlands Region, and to further the goals of landowner equity as specified in the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004 and the Highlands Regional Master Plan (RMP). The Highlands Council will provide a maximum grant award of 50% of the total purchase price of the property.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis at any time; there is no application deadline. Following Highlands Council staff review of application materials, applicants will be notified if funding is currently available for the submitted project proposal.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State agencies
- Any of the seven counties located in the Highlands Region
- Any of the 88 municipalities located in the Highlands Region
- Charitable conservancies.
Eligible Projects
Applications will be considered for acquisition of property in fee simple or through conservation easements for any passive recreation or conservation purposes. This includes restrictions on future development and protection of uses including, but not limited to parkland, natural areas, greenways, farmland, and other natural resources identified in the RMP. See application package below for complete information.