SR101

A Senate Resolution declaring New Jersey’s natural lands essential infrastructure and recognizing the need for timely and strategic land conservation.

Whereas, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation and continues to experience significant pressure to develop its remaining forests, farms, wetlands, and open spaces; and

Whereas, Forests, parks, farms, wetlands, and other undeveloped lands in New Jersey function as essential infrastructure by providing services necessary for public health, safety, and economic stability, including the protection of drinking water supplies, management of stormwater, reduction of flood risk, moderation of extreme heat, and improvement of air quality; and

Whereas, These natural systems operate continuously and at scale, delivering benefits that would otherwise require costly built infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, or emergency response expenditures by State and local governments; and

Whereas, Strategic investment in natural infrastructure has been shown to be a cost-effective means of meeting the State’s infrastructure, public safety, and resilience needs, while also supporting agriculture, recreation, and local economies; and

Whereas, Studies in New England have shown that every dollar invested in land conservation returns between four and eleven dollars in natural goods and services, demonstrating a strong return on investment for taxpayers; and

Whereas, In New Jersey, approximately $660 million in annual conservation spending has generated an estimated $955 million in economic output, supported more than 4,600 jobs, produced nearly $480 million in wages, and generated $47 million in State and local tax revenue; and

Whereas, Agriculture is a quintessential component of New Jersey’s culture as the “Garden State” and is the state’s third largest industry, behind pharmaceuticals and tourism, bringing in an average of over $1.5 billion annually from the state's almost 10,000 farms; and

Whereas, Conserved lands protect drinking water quality by filtering rainfall and stormwater runoff, reducing treatment costs and safeguarding public health; and

Whereas, Natural infrastructure also plays a critical role in stormwater management and flood mitigation, as forests, wetlands, floodplains, and riparian areas slow and store floodwaters, reduce erosion, and lessen damage to homes, roads, and other public infrastructure; and

Whereas, Access to parks and natural areas supports healthier communities and has been linked to improved physical and mental health outcomes, contributing to reduced long-term healthcare costs; and

Whereas, Timely and strategic land conservation is more cost-effective than delayed response or post-disaster recovery; and

Whereas, Investment in natural infrastructure protects taxpayers by reducing future infrastructure costs, disaster recovery expenditures, and public health impacts, while supporting jobs and economic activity; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House declares forests, farms, wetlands, and open space to be essential infrastructure that provides measurable environmental, economic, and public health benefits to the State.

2. This House recognizes the need to support policies, programs, and investments that advance coordinated land conservation consistent with statewide economic, environmental, and resilience goals.

3. This House recognizes that in order for New Jersey to achieve a thriving and connected landscape for people and wildlife, the State must adopt a goal of conserving 500,000 acres by 2050.

4. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the New Jersey State Director of the Nature Conservancy.

STATEMENT

This resolution declares forests, farms, wetlands, and open space as essential infrastructure and recognizes the need for land conservation. Forests, parks, farms, wetlands, and other undeveloped lands in New Jersey function as essential infrastructure by providing services necessary for public health, safety, and economic stability, including the protection of drinking water supplies, management of stormwater, reduction of flood risk, moderation of extreme heat, and improvement of air quality. Natural infrastructure also plays a critical role in stormwater management and flood mitigation, as forests, wetlands, floodplains, and riparian areas slow and store floodwaters, reduce erosion, and lessen damage to homes, roads, and other public infrastructure.

New Jersey has a long and successful history protecting its open spaces, yet it lacks a unified vision and clearly defined goals for land conservation. Significant dedicated funding exists to meet land preservation, yet obstacles are limiting our progress. For New Jersey to achieve a thriving and connected landscape for both people and wildlife, the State must adopt a goal of conserving 500,000 acres by 2050.