Green Think
Duke Farms
Duke Farms, located on 2,740 acres in Hillsborough, Somerset County, is one of the largest privately-owned parcels of undeveloped land in New Jersey. Owned and supported by Duke Farms Foundation, an operating foundation of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Duke Farms is rich in ecological, horticultural and agricultural resources.
The property is best known as the home of the former Duke Gardens, the exotic display gardens developed by Doris Duke in her father's honor. In March 2008, the trustees at Duke Farms announced that the Gardens would close (much to public dismay), and that the property would refocus its programs and operations to become an environmental showcase and learning center. The new mission is "to serve as a model of environmental stewardship and inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land."
Duke Farms estate was developed by tobacco and hydropower magnate James Buchanan Duke at the turn of the 20th century. J.B. Duke spent millions of dollars transforming this estate into a public park to provide a place for "a vast study of the beauties of art and nature that everyone can enjoy." Much of the landscape J.B. Duke created between 1893 and 1925 showcased his love of horticulture, agriculture and fascination with water and hydropower.
Upon his death in 1925, the property was inherited by his only child, Doris Duke. Ms. Duke added another 700 acres to the estate in the late 1960s by purchasing land from surrounding farms that were threatened with development. A conservationist all of her life, Ms. Duke continued the legacy started by her father, most notably the world-renown acre of gardens under glass. Upon her death in 1993, she directed in her will that Duke Farms be maintained as haven for wildlife and a place for horticultural and agricultural research.
Duke Farms continues to provide critical habitat for endangered flora and fauna. The property contains approximately 1,100 acres of grasslands and agricultural lands, 950 acres of woodlands, 400 acres of floodplain habitat and 72 acres of open water spread across nine lakes. This mix of habitat types provides an oasis for wildlife in a highly-developed region of New Jersey. The property serves as an important resting place for migratory birds and has been designated an Important Bird and Birding Area. To date, 226 species of birds have been recorded on the grounds. Duke Farms also is home to several state champion trees.
The property is used for limited recreational and educational activities as well as for research.
Duke Farms welcomes visitors with a variety of tours and programs.
- Estate Park and Nature Tour: This one-hour bus tour of the 700-acre estate park showcases the history of the property and its ecological significance. Visit the Web site for tour dates, times and fees.
- Walk on the Wild Side: This 1.25-mile self-guided nature walk takes visitors through a variety of habitats at Duke Farms. Free.
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Bicycle Tours: Morning and Twilight guided bike tours are available for families. Advance registration is required.
- Nature Programs: A variety of nature programs are offered year 'round in partnership with the New Jersey Audubon Society. Visit the Web site for a list of programs and fees.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to help with an assortment of habitat restoration projects. For a list of current volunteer opportunities, please visit the Duke Farms Website
Future plans for Duke Farms include the creation of a newly renovated "green" orientation center which will be housed in a 22,000-square-foot former barn. From there, visitors will be able to embark on numerous paths or hop aboard sustainably-powered trams to explore the property's diverse landscapes and habitats on their own or as part of naturalist-led programs.
Preparations for renovation and construction have already begun and the orientation center is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010.
Structures on the site will be renovated following the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, utilizing state-of-the-art strategies for developing high-performance sustainable buildings. There will be a major emphasis on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. New indoor and outdoor gardens will focus on the benefits of using native plants in the landscape.