The James Farm Ecological Preserve is an important resource for the Center and the community at large. But despite the critical nature of the Preserve, it faces challenges. When originally developed in 1998, its facilities were installed piecemeal and without foresight of Sussex County’s forthcoming growth in population. As the Preserve’s popularity increased and its programs expanded, the need to plan for increased visitation while protecting its ecosystems became evident.

So, the Center embarked on the development of a holistic plan that would address the needs of Preserve users and collectively envision its future.

A three-season education building is the gem of planned improvements to the Preserve. It will be used for educational programs, volunteer trainings, intergenerational education, and community events. Other improvements include:

• ADA-accessible restroom facility.
• Amphitheater seating for 70 individuals to serve as an outdoor classroom.
• New maintenance building with large equipment storage and a fully-equipped workshop.
• Habitat restoration staging area.
• Ecotour concessionaire storage facility.
• Improved Trail System
• Realignment of the Red Trail to address stressors on ecosystems and create a more immersive natural experience for visitors by diverting them away from neighboring residential and commercial properties.
• Boardwalk system extension and replacement.
• Aesthetically and structurally integrated signage and wayfinding system.
• New gateway signage.
• Updated and expanded interpretive signage placed in 18 locations around the Preserve to educate users about its ecosystems and environmental processes.