MCF is grateful to have received word from the US Navy that an additional $3 million in funding has been awarded to NWS Earle through the US Department of Defense (DOD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program. This significant funding will enable MCF and our county partners to protect additional lands surrounding NWS Earle’s nearly 12,000 acres in Monmouth County.

Since 2018, we have been working together through the REPI program to prevent incompatible development, preserve farmland and wetlands, protect wildlife, and add to existing parks in the vicinity of the naval base, which allows NWS Earle to maintain operations security and decrease potential risk to the public. This ongoing public-private partnership involves the US Navy, NWS Earle, Monmouth County, MCF, and relevant municipalities where the land being protected is situated.

Lands are preserved through conservation and/or agricultural easements granted by willing landowners and purchased by project partners, with up to 50 percent of the funding coming from the REPI program on a match basis. Our inaugural conservation projects were achieved through this partnership in 2023 – preserving 255 acres encompassing two properties in Howell and Colts Neck and greatly benefiting our community. We have additional properties in our preservation pipeline, and we are ecstatic to have access to additional federal funds to kickstart their journey to completion.