To the Editor:
December 12, 2023 marked the Hilltop Conservancy’s 20-year anniversary and we would like to take this opportunity to thank our donors, members and volunteers. Read on for highlights from the past 20 years and an important notice regarding our annual appeal.
With your support, our major achievements over the past 20 years have been:
- Cleaning Up – bagging, dragging and tagging more than 60 truckloads of trash and debris; removing 10 dumpsters of concrete and rubble; filling and covering 20 open storm drains; demolishing 8 decrepit buildings from the former sanitorium; removing graffiti; and addressing dumping.
- Ecological Assessment and Master Plan – commissioning an Ecological Assessment to document the Hilltop’s ecological values and conditions, and identify future stewardship priorities to maximize its ecological health; giving input to the Hilltop Master Plan, a 10-year action plan to improve the ecological health of the Reservation, enhance visitor experience and maintain its natural state into the future.
- Restoration – restoring a 15-acre grassland; 3-acre upland; 5-acre forest; and 6-acre wetland.
- Trails – creating and maintaining 11 trails; producing a trails map; and installing trail markers and signage.
- Community Outreach – launching a website and presence on social media; organizing hikes, bike rides, bird and butterfly walks.
- Enhancing Visitor Experience – installing interpretive signage and entrance kiosks.
More in-depth details are available on our website.
Annual Appeal 2024
To fund and implement all this great work, we rely on membership dues and donations from local residents like you, as well as service groups and volunteers. Your financial support enables the Conservancy to purchase supplies and services, and to conduct events and projects in the Reservation. In recognition of our 20-year anniversary we hope you will consider becoming a member or renewing your membership.
Membership dues for 2024 are as follows:
- Single membership: $30
- Family membership: $50
To become a member or renew electronically (fast, secure, convenient), you can use Paypal via the Membership Page on our web site. If you prefer to pay via check, please make it payable to “Hilltop Conservancy” and mail it to:
Hilltop Conservancy, Inc.
c/o Theresa Trapp, Treasurer
34 Depot Street
Verona, NJ 07044We also welcome one-time donations! Visit our Donate Page or mail a check using the information above.
Your continued support is greatly appreciated and will allow the Conservancy to continue our volunteer efforts to care for and improve the Hilltop for the enjoyment of all, now and in the future.
See you in the Reservation!
The Hilltop Conservancy Officers
Theresa Trapp – Treasurer and Vice President, Restoration
Chris Lawrence – Secretary and Vice President, Public Relations
Geordie Smith – Vice President, Trails
