The Alliance is the only organization dedicated to protecting the New Jersey Pine Barrens. From hyperscale data centers to natural gas pipelines, the rules protecting the Pinelands are constantly being challenged. Our first line of defense is education, outreach, and grassroots advocacy, but sometimes what the Pinelands need is a lawyer.
The Pinelands Legal Defense Fund helps the Alliance cover the costs of the attorneys and experts who play a key role when challenging major development projects that threaten rare species habitats, the aquifer, and other natural resources. This fund has played a key role in enabling the Alliance to hire attorneys and experts to submit testimony on proposals like the South Jersey Gas pipeline – a project we were ultimately able to defeat (2019). This fund allowed us to hire a lawyer to fight a development proposal for Pole Bridge Forest in Pemberton (2024). We prevailed there too, and soon this 718-acre forest will be permanently protected.
The Pinelands region is facing a new threat in the form of hyperscale data centers.
Monroe Township (Gloucester County) is located in the Pinelands and passed two ordinances permanently banning data centers in April 2026. They are now fighting litigation from Hexa Builders, who want to convert one of its warehouses to a data center. This will be an important test case for the entire state of New Jersey, determining whether a town has the power to protect its residents and its natural resources. The Pinelands Alliance has offered to pay for counsel for residents entering as an intervenor in this case. As with most litigation, it will be costly.
Since we never really know when this kind of legal and consulting work will be needed, it is essential to have funds in hand at any moment. Your donation to the legal defense fund ensures these funds are here when we need them – now and in the future.
