New Jersey couple’s estate becomes public preserve
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Richard and Elizabeth Scudder of Monmouth County, New Jersey, dedicated more than 40 years to protecting their 90-acre property from development, and recently gifted it to become the Scudder Preserve.
The couple initially donated conservation easements to the Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) and ultimately transferred full ownership to New Jersey Audubon, which then gave the land to MCF in 2024.
MCF opened the preserve to the public in July, accrediting it as a Level I Arboretum and offering free access for conservation, education, and recreation. The property features diverse habitats including forests, wetlands, and meadows, and contains a 201-year-old tulip tree and rare American chestnut trees. MCF is actively restoring the preserve’s ecosystems, improving trails, and renovating the Scudder homestead for offices and educational programs.
They received a $500,000 grant from the New Jersey Resources Coastal Climate Initiative and a $1 million anonymous donation to support this work. The organization also extends its conservation education to local schools, reaching over 3,000 students last year with its Conservation Van program.
