Chester, NJ, March 17, 2008 - The Pinelands Commission is pleased to extend an invitation to all Pinelands counties, municipalities, and non-profit organizations to apply for permanent land preservation funding made available through a second round of the Pinelands Conservation Fund (PCF). Although nearly $4 million of the initial $6 million of funding has already been allocated to deserving projects, more funding may become available if some of those projects do not progress.

Funding through the PCF is available (a maximum of 33% of the total project cost) for land acquisition in pre-designated high priority conservation target areas in all seven counties within the Pinelands Area. Conservation Resources Inc. was contracted to assist the Pinelands Commission in allocating the funding among several of the most worthwhile projects based on several ranking criteria that include resource value, project feasibility, development threat, due diligence, and financing. Ton find about more about the Land Acquisition Program's project criteria, scope, eligiblity, and application deadline, please contact Michael Catania or Jon Wagar at Conservation Resources Inc. at (908) 879-7942.

The Pinelands Commission and Conservation Resources Inc. look forward to assisting counties, municipalities, and non-profit organizations in permanently preserving green space.