Princeton Ridge East Forest Restoration

Princeton is seeking funding through the State of NJ Green Acres Program for a project to restore 5 acres of native forest vegetation within Princeton’s newest open space acquisition which is located on the eastern Princeton Ridge at the corner of Herrontown and Mount Lucas Roads.

The project area is situated in the eastern half of the approximately 90-acre, largely forested preserve. It was cleared of the natural forest vegetation for farming purposes more than 100 years ago and is now heavily infested with invasive species such as multiflora rose, wineberry, Japanese honeysuckle, bittersweet and mugwort. There is currently an abandoned residence as well as two barns on the site which will be demolished in 2026 prior to the start of this project to ensure future safe public access to the site. The goal of the project is to restore the building footprints and the surrounding disturbed area by removing invasive species, planting native trees and shrubs and seeding the ground with a mix of native, shade-tolerant forbs and grasses, thus setting the area on a trajectory towards native forest establishment.

More information about the project, including the concept map, can be found in the supporting documents.