The Tewksbury Trail Association has received the Tewksbury Land Trust’s Ted Koven Conservationist of the Yea award. The distinction is a testament to the TTA’s extensive commitment to the community through volunteering time and financial resources to many local charitable organizations.
The Tewksbury Trail Association’s trail pace is always a highlight of the year. (Photo © 2021 by Nancy Jaffer)
As an all-volunteer organization, the TTA’s help has been invaluable in meeting the Tewksbury Land Trust’s stewardship objectives, especially in providing safe public access for passive recreation.
The Land Trust’s president, Larry Ross, pointed out that the two organizations collaborated for nine months to hold the TTA’s annual trail pace across Land Trust preserves on Fox Hill, which included opening a new stretch of the Ten Mile Trail.
The Tewksbury Trail Association and the Tewksbury Land Trust working together.
TTA began its commitment to land and green space preservation over 25 years ago with 30 landowners and their horses. Since then, it has grown to over 250 members, with more than 180 generous landowners who support the TTA in its preservation efforts.
TTA’s commitment to the community is extensive through volunteering time and financial resources to many local charitable organizations. In addition to its collaboration with the Land Trust, it supports the Mane Stream, Raritan Headwaters Association, Tewksbury First Aid and Rescue Squad, Oldwick Fire Company, Oldwick Library, Hunterdon County ASPCA, Mylestone Equine Rescue, as well as other open space and farmland preservation initiatives.
In addition, TTA is responsible for developing, maintaining, and marking the trail network throughout the township. By linking them to TLT trails, the value of Land Trust preserves and easements to the community is increased significantly.
As an all-volunteer organization, the TTA’s energetic help has been invaluable in meeting the Land Trust’s stewardship objectives, especially in providing safe public access for passive recreation. Most recently, the two organizations collaborated closely for nine months to hold the TTA’s annual trail pace on TLT preserves on Fox Hill, which included opening a new stretch of the Ten Mile Trail. The event is open to both member and non-member horseback riders. As a result, equestrians could experience new trails and stunning views across the Raritan Basin.
For the community at large, the event drew attention to the progress of the nearly complete Ten Mile Trail and access to new, well-groomed paths for hikers and riders alike. It also demonstrated widespread cooperation among neighboring landowners who provided access to their properties to complete the six-mile pace. T
Testimonials supporting the TTA include a wide variety of community leaders and spokespersons for conservation organizations.
Sally Ike, the former managing director of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Licensed Officials committee, and recipient of the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award, said “One could not find a worthier recipient of the Ted Koven Conservationist Award than the Tewksbury Trail Association.
“Their commitment to the preservation of the countryside we live in, their partnership with the Tewksbury Land Trust and the sense of community that TTA brings to the table means that the view out my kitchen window of the beautiful countryside we drive through and that I’ve lived in for 40-plus years isn’t going to change. I feel very, very lucky!”