Fall colors at MCF’s Scudder Preserve in Middletown. Photo by DuBois & Associates.
Autumn in New Jersey is an open invitation. There are countless opportunities to enjoy the crisp air and vibrant colors of fall leaves on walking trails, to pick your favorite seasonal produce at local farms, and to engage in family-friendly activities that celebrate this special time of year. As you experience all that the Garden State has to offer this fall, know that you are part of a larger effort to protect green space, support agricultural heritage, and celebrate nature.
As a nonprofit land trust (and proud, founding member of EarthShare New Jersey), Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) works to preserve the open spaces, farmland, and natural habitats which make Monmouth County so special. We are driven by our community and partners to #KeepMonmouthGreen, and we take great pride in preserving land for its countless benefits –many of which we enjoy this time of year!
Websites like Grown in Monmouth and VisitNJ make it easy to discover farms offering memorable agritourism experiences year-round, including apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes, and more in autumn. For anyone eager to get outside this fall, the New Jersey Park System is the perfect resource for finding opportunities, from quiet hikes to guided programs and seasonal festivals. Each county, like our favorite, Monmouth County, has its own webpage highlighting fall activities including birding, hiking, and educational programs.
One of Monmouth County’s most promising new conservation treasures is Scudder Preserve, now managed by MCF in Middletown. The 90-acre site features wooded hills, grasslands, ornamental plants, ponds, a stream, and a historic homestead site with walking trails that invite reflection and discovery. MCF recently began hosting free public programs on site like full moon hikes, art in nature, and habitat and birding walks.
Pumpkin Patch at Samaha’s Farm in Aberdeen. Photo by Karen Keene.
At the heart of this fall invitation is a spirit of stewardship, because when you experience a meadow, forest, pumpkin patch, or hedgerow up close, you’re more likely to understand how precious it truly is. Visiting local farms is a vital way to support local economies and connect with New Jersey’s agricultural roots. By buying local goods and participating in seasonal events, you help sustain the farmers who work year-round to nurture the land, preserve open space, and maintain landscape viability in a state increasingly pressured by development and climate change.
While you’re enjoying the fresh air, remember parks and open spaces are more than just beautiful areas for you to enjoy; they provide essential habitat for wildlife and support the natural systems that clean our air and waterways. All of these are made possible through the collaborative efforts of organizations like MCF, who permanently preserve open space. By combining agritourism and park exploration, you help sustain a balanced landscape where farms and natural areas thrive together.
#KeepMonmouthGreen. Photo by Karen Keene.
You can carry this same spirit of stewardship as the season shifts from golden afternoons to spooky evenings. Whether you’re decorating your porch, carving pumpkins, or planning costumes, there are countless ways to make Halloween both fun and environmentally friendly.
MCF offers a great guide, Don’t Spook Mother Nature—Have a Green Halloween, reminding us how small choices, like reusing decorations, composting pumpkins, and avoiding single-use plastics, can make a big difference. Choosing a green Halloween perfectly complements the spirit of fall exploration – by enjoying the season and leaving the land a little better than we find it.
This fall, let every apple you pick, leaf you crunch, and trail you wander remind you that enjoying the outdoors and protecting it go hand in hand. By supporting local farms, visiting county parks, and embracing sustainable traditions, you help ensure that our Garden State’s open spaces, and the communities connected to them, continue to flourish for generations to come.
Children playing at MCF’s Annual Spring for Conservation Family Day. Photo by Marcella Shook.