By Karen Keene
Not many people know this, but Jim Truncer played an instrumental role in the founding of Monmouth Conservation Foundation.
In the 1970s, Jim invited thirty-five people to dinner and shared his vision for a nonprofit to work hand-in-hand with Monmouth County to preserve land and create parks. A local attorney, Chet Apy, acted as a moderator for Jim’s presentation during the dinner, which was modeled after a California state parks foundation.
Twenty or so of the dinner guests signed on to help, including Judith Stanley Coleman (1935- 2010), who went on to become one of MCF’s co-founders. Michael Huber (1927-2009), MCF’s other co-founder, joined the effort shortly after. Jim acted as secretary to the incorporation, and a group of six to eight individuals served as incorporators.
MCF was officially established in 1977 by this passionate group of citizens to acquire, hold, preserve, and protect the open lands, historic areas, and park and recreational areas of Monmouth County, New Jersey, together with any buildings located thereon. MCF began as a park foundation, but our founders – Judy, in particular – felt it should be a land trust. During the establishment phase, the organization changed names and direction to become the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization it is today.
Nearly a half-century later, MCF is the County’s only land trust, and our purpose is to acquire and preserve open space and farmland and conserve natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability. We work together with public and private partners – very often with Monmouth County – to preserve land in perpetuity, and to protect and enhance the natural resources in our communities.
We have assisted with the preservation of 9,090 acres overall in Monmouth County. Among these, we have helped to conserve over 4,500 acres of County parklands – 25% of Monmouth County Park System’s (MCPS) current 18,000 acres, acting as a facilitator among stakeholders and partners and/or by contributing funding.
“We owe a great deal to Jim Truncer for his quiet leadership, diplomatic collaboration, and genuine commitment to land preservation. MCF wholeheartedly thanks Jim for being an MCF ex-officio board member and cherished partner to our organization for decades during his robust life of 86 years. We are honored to establish the Jim Truncer Memorial Fund in his memory to carry on his meaningful legacy of preserving green space and creating parks for the benefit of the people.”
— Bill Kastning
MCF Executive Director