Open Space Trust Fund

The Morris County Open Space Trust Fund, administered by the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation, is a longstanding county initiative dedicated to conserving natural resources and enhancing public recreational access across Morris County, New Jersey. Established through a voter-approved preservation tax in 1992, the program has, since 1994, invested over $300 million to preserve more than 18,440 acres throughout the county. This funding supports not only open space acquisition but also complementary efforts including farmland preservation, historical site protection, recreational trail development, county parkland expansion, and flood-prone property acquisition. The 2026 grant cycle continues the county’s commitment to open space preservation and invites eligible entities to apply for funding through the newly introduced online application portal. All materials—including the core application and supporting documents such as appraisals and attachments—must be submitted both online and as a physical hard copy by the firm deadline of Friday, June 12, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. A virtual training session on how to use the online portal will be held on Monday, April 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. to assist applicants with the transition to the new system. Eligible applicants for this grant include any of the 39 municipalities within Morris County and qualified charitable conservancies, as confirmed by the program’s coordinator. These entities can request funds for either fee simple acquisition or less-than-fee interests, including conservation or development easements. Proposed projects may support passive and/or active recreation. Application materials require details on site characteristics, zoning, historical structures, infrastructure availability, preservation consistency with local and county plans, and environmental attributes such as wetlands or endangered species habitats. The grant program’s review process is overseen by the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund Committee. This committee evaluates submitted applications through site visits and other assessment criteria, ultimately making recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. Award decisions are made in the fall, aligning with the county's standard funding timeline. While the final acquisition cost, anticipated use of the land, and any match funding from Green Acres or other sources must be included, ancillary costs like legal fees and surveys are excluded from funding consideration. Applicants must also meet procedural requirements such as hosting a public hearing, providing minutes and formal governing body resolutions, and submitting all attachments through the correct portal categories. Specific instructions apply to both municipal and charitable conservancy applicants, including required financial history documentation, site photographs, and, for conservancies, proof of 501(c)(3) status and municipal public review. An optional site video and Excel worksheet of financials must also be submitted by specified dates. For questions, applicants are directed to contact the Office of Planning and Preservation by phone at 973-829-8120. In summary, the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund’s 2026 grant cycle supports the strategic acquisition and preservation of critical open space, aligning with both environmental and recreational goals for the county. With detailed eligibility criteria, comprehensive submission guidelines, and a structured evaluation process, the program continues to offer meaningful support to local governments and nonprofit partners working to safeguard Morris County’s natural assets for future generations.