D&R Greenway Land Trust announces annual Greenway Gala in honor of former Princeton Mayor

 

HOPEWELL, N.J. — On Sunday, June 1, D&R Greenway Land Trust will present its premier annual Donald B. Jones Conservation Award to former Princeton Mayor Cate Litvack (posthumously) in recognition of her impactful preservation legacy at Hillside Farm in Hopewell.

One of Litvack’s proudest accomplishments as Mayor of Princeton was her negotiations with the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton Township to purchase an easement on the Institute for Advanced Study lands for permanent preservation. Litvack served as the second Chair of D&R Greenway from 1995-1997 and was involved with the nonprofit for over thirty years. When the Institute woods were saved from future development, it set the course of what was to come later … with D&R Greenway assembling public-private partnerships to permanently preserve St. Michaels Farm Preserve in Hopewell, Carson Road Woods in Lawrence, Farmview Fields and Greenway Meadows, now popular public parks in Princeton. 

Litvack combined her love of land preservation and history while serving as the first Executive Director of the Crossroads for the American Revolution National Heritage Area Association. In June 1778, over 10,000 Continental Soldiers encamped at Hillside Farm for three days before the Battle of Monmouth, making Hillside Farm an appropriate location for the land trust’s recognition of Litvack. 

Donald B. Jones was a dedicated preservationist who devoted his time and resources to saving land and historic buildings that give our region its special character. D&R Greenway presents an award in his honor to an individual or group who displays selfless generosity and a commitment to conservation. Litvack was the perfect choice (posthumously) for this year’s award. 

“When I remember Cate and reflect on the many properties preserved by D&R Greenway, I realize all these accomplishments started with hope,” says Linda Mead, President and CEO of the organization.

Surrounded by the beauty of Hillside Farm, a property donated to D&R Greenway by the family of Betty Wold Johnson, attendees will hear stories of hope and action.

Mead explained that “nature inspires hope in the future with its constancy and resilience. Once we have hope we can take individual action, like Cate did, leaving a legacy of conservation.” 

Speakers at the fundraiser will include a world-class composer who was inspired to write ‘The Emergent Universe Oratorio,’ a representative from the renown scholarly Institute for Advanced Study, a member of the Lenape Nation, and surprise community members. A special announcement in honor of Litvack will be made at the award presentation and D&R Greenway will reveal future plans for the Betty Wold Johnson Hillside Park that will open in fall of 2026. 

“D&R Greenway’s future depends on the board, staff, volunteers and an ever-growing membership. It depends on people’s increasing awareness of the need for open spaces and on landowners’ willingness to preserve their properties. D&R Greenway’s mission is to ensure that our green places never vanish,” states Litvack 

Guests are encouraged to relax and enjoy the beauty of Hillside Farm while sampling a variety of seasonal fare representative of the gardens and lands preserved by D&R Greenway. Hand-dipped ice cream from Johnson’s Family Ice Cream truck is always a popular dessert. Garden party attire is suggested with shoes suitable for the outdoors. 

The annual Greenway Gala on Sunday, June 1, is from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is by advance ticket at $200 per person, or sponsorship purchase by Friday, May 23 at www.drgreenway.org. You can also get yours by calling (609) 924-4646.

Gala sponsorships and tickets benefit D&R Greenway’s mission to preserve land and inspire a conservation ethic, now and forever. 

All proceeds benefit D&R Greenway’s work of preserving and caring for open space in New Jersey. 

About D&R Greenway Land Trust: About D&R Greenway Land Trust: Founded in 1989, D&R Greenway is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of almost 23,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey. By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public spaces, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region, including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered on preserving and caring for land, while connecting land with people and communities. www.drgreenway.org; info@drgreenway.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.