Hunterdon County

Musconetcong Mountain Preserve (Hunterdon County) The mountain was identified in 1993 by the U.S. Forest Service as an "important area" because of its forest, wildlife, water, and recreational values. Extensive protection is needed due to heavy developmental pressures. Photo courtesy of Michael Helbing

Musconetcong River Valley (Hunterdon, Morris, and Warren counties) The areas flanking the river are rolling farmlands and quaint villages. The river also supports wild trout populations and provides county residents with clean drinking water.

North Branch Raritan River Watershed (Morris and Hunterdon counties) Though extensive preservation efforts have taken place in the Black River Greenway, headwater areas in Morris County and trout streams in Hunterdon County remain in need of protection.

Upper South Branch Raritan River Watershed (Morris and Hunterdon counties) Some consider this to be the most endangered watershed in New Jersey. Currently the upper watershed is mostly forested and farmed, but the headwaters are owned by major developers, which threaten the state's brown trout fishery.

Morris County

Farny Highlands (Morris County) Northern Morris County's forested Farny Highlands form the headwaters of five rivers and contribute to the area’s water supply. While the state and county have made progress in preserving important areas, many significant tracts remain in jeopardy.

Musconetcong River Valley (Hunterdon, Morris, and Warren counties) The areas flanking the river are rolling farmlands and quaint villages. The river also supports wild trout populations and provides county residents with clean drinking water.

North Branch Raritan River Watershed (Morris and Hunterdon counties) Though extensive preservation efforts have taken place in the Black River Greenway, headwater areas in Morris County and trout streams in Hunterdon County remain in need of protection.

Pequannock Watershed (Passaic, Sussex, and Morris counties) The wilderness core of the New Jersey Highlands, and its largest unprotected forest tract, this region holds enormous biological value and is home to hundreds of native species, some rare. Development pressures threaten the area.

Rockaway River Watershed (Morris and Sussex counties) The watershed is connected to the Rockaway River, which is home to many plant, animal, and bird habitats. Although threats from iron and coal industries are no more, the watershed needs protection since it provides drinking water.

Schooley's Mountain (Morris County) The mountain, 45 minutes outside New York City, is a resource rich in recreational activities such as hiking, ice skating, and boating.

Sparta Mountain Greenway (Sussex and Morris counties) The greenway, a continuous stretch of undeveloped mountain, connects the westernmost ridge of the Highlands. However, nearly 2,000 acres of the area remain vulnerable to development.

Upper Passaic River Headwaters (Morris and Somerset counties)The Passaic River Watershed is an interdependent system of water retention, transportation, and use formed by nature and adapted to human needs. Water falls in the wilderness regions of the Highlands, flows through aquifers and rivers into reservoirs and wells, and is taken for use by people and industry by the downstream communities of the Lower Valley.

Upper South Branch Raritan River Watershed (Morris and Hunterdon counties) Some consider this to be the most endangered watershed in New Jersey. Currently the upper watershed is mostly forested and farmed, but the headwaters are owned by major developers, which threaten the state's brown trout fishery.

Wyanokie Highlands/Wanaque Watershed (Passaic County) The reservoir provides drinking water for nearly two million New Jersey residents. However, completion of a critical greenway in the Wyanokies is threatened by residential and commercial development

Ramapo Mountains and Ramapo River Watershed (Bergen and Passaic counties) These mountains delineate where the pavement ends and nature begins. Privately owned inholdings adjacent to Ramapo Mountain State Forest and Ringwood State Park are vulnerable to intensive development.

Pequannock Watershed (Passaic, Sussex, and Morris counties) The wilderness core of the New Jersey Highlands, and its largest unprotected forest tract, this region holds enormous biological value and is home to hundreds of native species, some rare. Development pressures threaten the area.

Hamburg Mountain (Sussex County) The heavily forested area is home to more than 100 bird species, including some of special concern. The habitats also protect the headwaters and tributaries of the Pequannock and the Wallkill rivers.

Rockaway River Watershed (Morris and Sussex counties) The watershed is connected to the Rockaway River, which is home to many plant, animal, and bird habitats. Although threats from iron and coal industries are no more, the watershed needs protection since it provides drinking water.

Sparta Mountain Greenway (Sussex and Morris counties) The greenway, a continuous stretch of undeveloped mountain, connects the westernmost ridge of the Highlands. However, nearly 2,000 acres of the area remain vulnerable to development.

Wallkill River Valley (Sussex County) The federally endangered bog turtle makes its home in and adjacent to the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge. Since many habitat sites are threatened by development, preservation efforts are needed.

Musconetcong River Valley (Hunterdon, Morris, and Warren counties) The areas flanking the river are rolling farmlands and quaint villages. The river also supports wild trout populations and provides county residents with clean drinking water.

Pequest River Valley (Warren County) The Pequest trout hatchery is located in this long, winding valley with enormous ground and surface water resources highly sensitive to pollution.

Pohatcong Creek Valley (Warren County) The creek itself is about 20 miles in length and passes through urban and residential areas, woodlands, wetlands, and farms.

Pohatcong Mountain/Pohatcong Grasslands (Warren County) The grasslands are home to numerous threatened and endangered bird species . The mountain and most of the grasslands are completely unprotected and under extreme development pressures.

Scotts Mountain (Warren County) Scotts Mountain, the largest contiguous forest area in southern Warren County, provides critical habitat for forest--dependent bird species in the South Jersey Highlands.