New 131 acres of forest preserve featured in Stillwater

Bruce A. Scruton, Newton New Jersey Herald
Updated ·2 min read

Editor's note: The north side of Cedar Ridge Preserve is closed to the public and has been posted against trespassing. The south side of the preserve on Cedar Ridge Road is open and signs for the trails are expected to be put up by late April.

A new forest preserve in Stillwater contains unique local geology.

Cedar Ridge Preserve, located on Cedar Ridge Road, is a 131-acre project of the Ridge and Valley Conservancy in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy on land sold to the conservation groups by the local landowner.

The preserve, which includes a large pond on the north side of the road and established trails through the woods on the southern part, becomes the 22nd natural heritage area overseen by Ridge and Valley and is located not far from the Paulinskill Trail, a state-owned hiking/biking trail along former railroad rights-of-way.

According to RV Conservancy, Cedar Ridge Preserve is "a haven of undeveloped raw land, boasting sweeping moss-covered limestone outcrops that warmly welcome hikers." In addition to the pond, the south side of the preserve is a dense forest of hemlock, pine, cedar, maple, and oak trees.

A walking path goes off through the woods in Cedar Ridge Preserve, the newest of the forested areas under the protection of the Ridge and Valley Conservancy. Working with The Nature Conservancy, Ridge and Valley is developing the donated 131-acre preserve on Cedar Ridge Road in Stillwater.
A walking path goes off through the woods in Cedar Ridge Preserve, the newest of the forested areas under the protection of the Ridge and Valley Conservancy. Working with The Nature Conservancy, Ridge and Valley is developing the donated 131-acre preserve on Cedar Ridge Road in Stillwater.

"Collaborating with devoted landowners who have tirelessly nurtured and safeguarded the land has been an honor," said Susi Tilley, executive director of Ridge and Valley Conservancy, in a news release announcing the new ownership. "Their unwavering commitment is a powerful testament to the vital importance of land preservation. We extend our gratitude to the Nature Conservancy for their continued support in preserving these invaluable landscapes."

"We are thrilled to celebrate another successful preservation project with Ridge and Valley Conservancy," said Tricia Aspinwall, The Nature Conservancy's land conservation manager. "We look forward to many generations enjoying the trails in this beautiful part of Stillwater."

The property was formerly owned by Richard Kelsky and Elenora Benz, who managed the property.

"Having managed this forest for 30 years, we chose conservation over development. We look forward to the continued good stewardship of this incredible property," stated Kelsky and Benz.

During their ownership, they developed their own trails and small green signs continue to mark a couple of the routes.

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Cedar Ridge forest preserve in Stillwater NJ spans 131 acres