Neighbor News
Duke Farms Celebrates 5 Years of Public Visitors
Milestones beyond imaginations met as Duke Farms celebrates 5 years of public visitors.
Hillsborough, NJ (May 23, 2017) -- Duke Farms has welcomed over 2 million visitors during its last five years of being open to the public. Between May 2012 and today, these visitors have walked, hiked, biked and explored all Duke Farms has to offer - including a full array of environmental educational programming for families, individuals, professionals and students.
Duke Farms is open to the public six days a week (every day except Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) and admission is free. Through this commitment to offering inclusive recreational and educational space, Duke Farms has welcomed visitors from all over the United States to share in countless classes this year. Highlights include the Duke Farms Community Garden which is now the largest community garden of its kind in New Jersey with over 462 plots. Duke Farms’ eagle cam has also been active this spring, despite no eggs this year. Over 11 million visitors logging on to watch the pair of resident Bald Eagles.
Accomplishments over the last 5 years include:
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- Capital Improvements such as the Hay Barn and Coach Barn restoration.
- Meditation Garden restoration.
- Additional Public Safety Measures.
- Popular visitor services such as bicycle rentals and regional farm market.
- Almost 5,000 school students using Duke Farms as an outdoor classroom.
- The unique Teen Action on Leadership in Nature program, which resulted in 21 students from an underserved community exploring careers in conservation.
- 570 acres of restored wetlands.
- 340,000 native plants planted.
- 370 acres of reserved critical grassland areas.
Overall, Duke Farms will continue to develop Duke Farms as a regional and national leader for stewardship, wildlife, ecology and sustainable agriculture, education and public access. A few exciting goals for the next 5 years include:
- Continue developing Duke Farms as
- A new sustainable energy plan to reduce CO2 while increasing natural energy systems.
- Integrate on-site farm products into café, market and operations.
- Integrate universal design features into public areas, making accessibility easier for those needing assistance.
- Expanded education programs.
For more information on Duke Farms and all that Duke Farms has to offer this Spring/Summer, please visit www.dukefarms.org
