Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) are the watchdogs of the pinelands commission they work to protect the natural resources of New Jersey’s beautiful pinelands through advocacy. Their objective is enforcing and improving upon the Pinelands Protection Act and Comprehensive Management Plan. The organization runs Pinelands Adventures that gets people out hiking and canoeing in the pinelands and builds a connection to the land through education. Rancocas Creek Farm is a regenerative organic farm run by PPA that is partnered with Roots to Prevention to provide fresh organic produce to people in Camden, a food desert. A newer initiative is Access Nature NJ which works to improve accessibility to trails for those with disabilities.
In an effort to tackle food insecurity Pinelands Preservation Alliance has partnered with Roots to Prevention to provide fresh produce to Camden. Camden is an overburdened community that exists in a food desert. Rancocas Creek Farm is a 72-acre sustainable chemical free farm originally created to help address storm water runoff problems and create a sanctuary for wildlife. The farm now hosts Community Supported Agriculture, which provides healthy produce to local residents for purchasing a share of the farm. They also work with Roots to Prevention to provide produce to people in Camden at a market that is available to purchase through produce vouchers and SNAP benefits.PPA is a champion of Environmental Equity in New Jersey. Two major examples are their programs Access Nature NJ and collaboration with their farm and Roots to Prevention. Access Nature NJ reinforces their belief that ‘Pinelands is for everyone’ by working alongside the disability community to make the pinelands more accessible. In forums people from the disability community directly advocate for what changes they want to see and PPA helps to implement them. Some examples are wider trails to accommodate wheelchairs and space for people to effectively communicate through signing, braille trail information, wheelchairs available for use, and inclusive outdoor adventures. The initiative is expanding statewide with the ‘Nature Accessible for All’ campaign with an updated website and an interactive map of restrooms and accessible trails coming soon.
For more information on how to support PPA’s mission and access the services they offer go to their website. To get involved with their Access Nature NJ initiative and contribute as a member of the disability community contact Sean Kane-Holland (sean@pinelandsalliance.org). They are always looking for people to present at a forum on topics related to nature and disability. If you are looking at ways to improve nature access in your community contact PPA or the Division of Human Health and Services for assistance.
Pinelands Preservation Alliance aims to expand their Access Nature NJ to parks across New Jersey. They are working hard to make nature and New Jersey more accessible. Some projects in the works include an interactive accessible trail map and an update to the Access Nature NJ website. Importantly, they want to continue to have individuals in the disability community at the center of the conservation guiding the changes they want to see.
Thank you to Rachel Grace for sharing the inspiring work being done at PPA and sharing the photos. Learn more about EarthShare NJ Founding Partner PPA here.