By Karen Keene

As a land trust, MCF’s objective is to facilitate how a property will be best preserved and utilized so the public-at-large benefits. We partner with local, state, and federal governments and liaise with landowners to enable the various steps in the land preservation process – ultimately leading to the preservation of land through fee acquisition or an easement. Each opportunity is unique and handled on a case-by-case basis. MCF is a critical part of the equation, as we can act swiftly and impartially, free from government bureaucracy and political constraints. Our role is sometimes imperceptible in facilitating land preservation projects, while at other times we are the prominent driving force. In every instance, for land preservation to be successful, we must be supported by funding and through critical partnerships.

The road to preservation entails a great deal of negotiation and paperwork. Steps are achieved in varying order across projects, and must address a range of considerations and details for the property, including:

• Alignment with MCF mission

• Public benefit(s)

• Impact(s) of Preservation

• Property characteristics

  • Conservation, agricultural, recreational, educational /or historical

  • Proximity to already preserved property

• Landowner goal(s)

• Preservation method

• Acquisition costs

• Monitoring/Stewardship requirements

• Timeline

• Willing partner(s)

  • Alignment with municipal and/or public agency goals

  • Stakeholder support

• Funding

• Eligibility and availability

The road to preservation is not direct, but more like a game of Chutes and Ladders™ with its steps forward and slides back; varied pace of each player; and different obstacles they face along the way. And the reality is, preserving a property can take years – even a decade or more – from the first conversation with the landowner. MCF serves a valuable role in this regard, maintaining longstanding relationships with landowners and municipal collaborators throughout Monmouth County.