Morris County residents will face an important decision on the November 4, 2025 ballot that could reshape how the county manages its permanently preserved lands. Voters are being asked whether funds from the county’s Open Space, Farmland, Floodplain Protection, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund can be used to support stewardship programs aimed at maintaining and enhancing these conserved areas.

If approved, the initiative would allow Morris County to implement a stewardship program focused on habitat restoration, invasive species management, reforestation, and green infrastructure improvements on publicly preserved lands. The proposal is carefully designed to fund only activities that improve or restore the ecological and recreational value of preserved properties; general maintenance would not be covered. Importantly, this program would not result in any tax increase, as it would draw from previously collected and unspent Trust Fund dollars.

The proposal follows months of study by the Preservation Trust Fund Review Committee, established by county commissioners in January 2024 to explore possible enhancements to the existing program. Over six committee meetings, experts and local stakeholders provided input, culminating in a report released on April 23, 2025. The report concluded that stewardship represents a logical and responsible expansion of the county’s preservation initiatives.

“This initiative builds on more than three decades of community support for preservation in Morris County,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, who chaired the review committee. “Our residents have consistently approved measures to protect open space, historic sites, farmland, and trail networks. Stewardship ensures the lands we’ve preserved remain healthy, vibrant, and accessible for future generations.”

The ballot question, as approved by county commissioners, will ask voters:

Public Question:
Shall the County of Morris amend the Morris County Open Space, Farmland, Floodplain Protection, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund to include the purpose of stewardship of permanently preserved land acquired for recreation and conservation purposes and allow the use of previously collected funds for those purposes?

Interpretive Statement:
A “YES” vote would authorize the county to include natural resource management, habitat restoration, and wildlife stewardship as eligible uses of Trust Fund dollars. Projects could include forest and meadow restoration, pollinator gardens, butterfly habitats, invasive plant removal, and green infrastructure improvements. A “YES” vote will not raise taxes.

The initial program would prioritize municipal applicants and properties, with the potential to expand to nonprofit-owned lands in the future. Proposed stewardship activities specifically exclude routine maintenance, legal expenses, land acquisition, playgrounds, sports fields, and any work on unpreserved lands.

The committee recommended that the stewardship initiative operate on a matching grant basis, following the model of previous Trust Fund expansions, including the 2014 voter-approved trail development program. Municipalities would contribute a portion of project costs, with tiered matching requirements considered to ensure equitable funding opportunities.

County officials are emphasizing outreach and education in the lead-up to the election, providing details through the county’s website, social media, and public communications. Residents interested in learning more about the Preservation Trust Fund and its potential evolution can explore additional resources at Explore New Jersey Politics.

The November vote presents an opportunity for Morris County voters to shape the future of the county’s open spaces, ensuring that conserved lands remain ecologically vibrant and enjoyable for decades to come.