HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — A river restoration project in Hackettstown is among 30 conservation efforts across four states receiving support through a $12.5 million investment aimed at protecting and improving the Delaware River watershed, federal officials announced Wednesday.
The funding, awarded through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will support projects designed to restore wildlife habitat, improve water quality, reduce flood risks and expand public access to outdoor recreation. When combined with nearly $17 million in matching contributions, the grants represent a total conservation investment of $29.3 million.
In Hackettstown, PEACE New Jersey received a $437,000 grant to restore riparian habitat and improve public access along the Musconetcong River at the Douglas A. Blake Memorial Field, off Willow Grove Street. The project also includes $452,500 in matching funds, bringing the total investment to $889,500.
According to project details, the initiative will restore a public park by planting a riparian buffer using native plant species, stabilizing approximately 305 linear feet of riverbank, and installing seven pollinator gardens. The project also includes completion of design plans for ADA-compliant pathways to improve river access for residents and visitors.
The restoration is expected to benefit priority pollinator species and freshwater mussels, improve recreational opportunities for the community, and return the park to a more natural and resilient condition.
Across the watershed, the 2025 grant projects are expected to open nearly 4,000 acres to public access, implement restoration plans on more than 11,000 acres of forestland, and restore wetlands and floodplains to help mitigate flooding and improve water quality.
The Delaware River watershed spans parts of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware and supplies drinking water to millions of people. While it includes one of the most densely populated regions in the country, about half of the watershed remains forested. Roughly 400 miles of the Delaware River are designated as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Officials said the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund is designed to support collaborative, locally driven conservation projects that reflect shared priorities across the region. In addition to federal funding, this year’s awards include $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and $1.26 million from other non-federal sources, including corporate support for coastal restoration projects.
Other grants announced this year include funding for wetland planning along the Philadelphia waterfront, school-based rain and pollinator gardens in Delaware, and a multi-state effort to reconnect wildlife corridors in the Upper Delaware River region.
A full list of 2025 Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund grant recipients is available through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle. Proposals are due March 26, 2026. More information is available through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Delaware River Program website.
