By Karen Keene

The late James “Jim” Truncer (1936-2023) is being posthumously honored on September 23, 2023 at a historic, preserved farm during Monmouth Conservation Foundation’s annual signature fundraiser. MCF is establishing The Jim Truncer Memorial Fund to carry on Jim’s meaningful legacy of preserving green space in Monmouth County.

For Immediate Release

Middletown, N.J. (Aug. 24, 2023) – Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF), Monmouth County’s only land trust, is hosting its Fall for Conservation Cocktail Party on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The nonprofit’s signature fundraiser is being hosted by Arthur and Jill Kontos at their historic property – Fairway Farm on the rolling hills of Middletown, New Jersey in support of MCF’s nonprofit mission of preserving open space throughout Monmouth County.

The breathtaking, 40-acre Fairway Farm was preserved through a conservation easement donated to MCF in 2007 by the late Anne Haskell Ellis in her last will and testament. It was previously part of Oak Hill Farm, then the Ellis Farm; known to some as the Haskell Farm, formerly called the Aulde House. Fall for Conservation will feature live music by the Moroccan Sheepherders, plentiful hors d’oeuvres and culinary delights, open bar, exclusive live and silent auctions, entertainment, and more.

At the event, MCF will be honoring the late James “Jim” Truncer (1936-2023), Director of Monmouth County Parks for 58 years, who grew the park system during his esteemed career from 350 acres on three parks to over 18,000 acres of parkland, which includes 37 parks, six golf courses, and 148 miles of trails. In recognition of his decades of commitment to MCF’s mission and impact on our community and park system, MCF is establishing the Jim Truncer Memorial Fund, which will be used to carry on his meaningful legacy of preserving green space and creating parks for the benefit of the people. Proceeds from the event will support this Fund and MCF’s important work to #KeepMonmouthGreen: maintaining Monmouth County’s natural attributes and quality of life.

“Jim Truncer played an integral role in the formation of MCF – bringing together our founders and sharing a vision for a nonprofit to work hand in hand with the County to preserve land,” said Bill Kastning, MCF’s Executive Director. “Throughout his career, Jim helped to advance our nonprofit mission of land conservation. We commend his dedication to preserving green space and thank him, posthumously, for being an ex-officio board member and cherished partner during his robust life of 86 years.”

In recent months, several collaborative land preservation and public space enhancement projects have come to fruition with facilitation and funding support from MCF. The nonprofit assisted Monmouth County in preserving a 17-acre property along the Navesink River in the Locust section of Middletown Township as an addition to Hartshorne Woods Park and collaborated with County and State partners to create Swimming River Park in the River Plaza section of Middletown after a years-long clean-up effort. MCF also preserved the 19-acre Stivala Farm in Colts Neck, in partnership with the State, County, and Colts Neck Township.

“We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and Monmouth County Park System (MCPS). MCF is proud to have helped to preserve more than 9,090 acres of open space and farmland to date, including more than 4,300 acres or twenty-four percent of MCPS’ 18,000 acres,” said MCF President, Matthew Cohen. “Jim Truncer was an outstanding ally in our shared efforts toward land preservation and park development, and we are honored to celebrate him at Fall for Conservation and carry on his legacy through the memorial fund.”

Fall for Conservation sponsors and include the Arthur Kontos Foundation, Joan Rechnitz, Ray Catena Auto Group – the Legend in Luxury, Liz and Charlie Komar, Gloria and Len Nilson, Vikki and Bill Marraccini / Sonia and Christian Zugel, and John R. and Mary Tassini.. The event’s live auction will feature exclusive experiences including a six-night stay for four at the Relais & Châteaux, all-inclusive Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana – the world’s only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star guest ranch, donated by Fair Haven natives Jim and Marybeth Manley, owners of the Ranch at Rock Creek, and the opportunity to jump the notoriously long line to the top of the waiting list at Chapel Beach Club in Sea Bright. For details and to take part in Fall for Conservation, visit www.monmouthconservation.org/fall.

### 

Contact:
Karen Keene
Director of Development and Communications
Monmouth Conservation Foundation
kkeene@monmouthconservation.org
732.671.7000 w; 305.519.6494 c 

Founded in 1977, Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) works 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. Its vision is to lead conservation and education efforts to preserve and protect our natural environment, so all individuals and communities have access to and can benefit from open space and nature for generations to come. MCF received accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2014 and has continued to maintain this status since. Accreditation is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. MCF is one of 459 accredited land trusts out of 1,100 nationwide. www.monmouthconservation.org