For St. Michael’s tract preservation efforts
On June 9, D&R Greenway Land Trust presented the 2007 Donald B. Jones Conservation Award to the Hopewell community.
Led by the St. Michael’s Preservation Committee, chaired by Leslie Davis Potter, the Hopewell community joined together with "unprecedented collaboration and enthusiasm to work toward a common goal of land preservation, raising over $3.3 million in private donations to save the St. Michael’s land," said Jo-Ann C. Munoz, director of communications.
Hopewell Borough and Hopewell Township, along with Mercer County, the New Jersey State Agricultural Development Committee and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program, contributed a total of $8.0 million to fulfill the $11 million purchase price.
Donald B. Jones (1911-1994) was a determined preservationist who spent much of his time and money saving the land and historic buildings that give our region its special character. In his honor, D&R Greenway Land Trust established the Donald B. Jones Conservation Award in 1995. The award is given annually to an individual who has displayed selfless generosity in his or her commitment to conservation efforts.
The St. Michael’s Preservation Committee consisting of Ray Disch, Katherine Dresdner, Stephanie and Bob Harris, Lucia and Charlie Huebner, Christine Lokhammer, Judy and Oye Olukotun led public walks through the St. Michael’s property and hosted numerous fundraising and "friend-raising" receptions. They organized two benefit concerts, a family barn dance, and a wine-tasting party and silent auction. A "Save St. Michael’s" banner flew over Broad Street for three months.
As a result of their extraordinary effort, over 798 individuals, families, foundations, nonprofit organizations, community groups and businesses made a contribution to preserve the St. Michael’s land.
And, for the first time ever, D&R Greenway presented a Junior Award recognizing the dedication and determination of 10-year old Callie Considine, a fourth-grade student at Hopewell Elementary School. On Halloween night 2006, Callie went door-to-door in her neighborhood collecting funds to help D&R Greenway purchase the St. Michael’s land. Her commitment to the project grew, and on weekends she began accepting donations at Failte Coffeehouse. Her fundraising goal on Halloween night was $50. In total, she collected over $3,300.
D&R Greenway believes that Callie’s example and that of the Hopewell community serve as worthy models to inspire others throughout New Jersey to make the effort to protect the remaining natural and agricultural lands and open spaces in their towns.

