Overview
Located in northern New Jersey, the Highlands region is a scenic and diverse area, encompassing 88 municipalities in parts of seven counties in northern New Jersey. More than 70% of New Jersey residents get some or all of their drinking water from the Highlands, including 8 out of every 10 people living in a designated Overburdened Community.
The New Jersey Highlands Council is a state agency that works in partnership with the 88 municipalities and 7 counties in the region (Bergen, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren) to encourage a comprehensive regional planning approach to the area’s protection.
We provide planning grants and expertise in areas including master planning, stormwater management, sustainable economic development, affordable housing plans, downtown revitalization, brownfield redevelopment, trails and recreation planning, environmental resource inventories, lake and stream management, and much more. Grants are non-competitive with no match requirement.
The New Jersey Highlands Region covers less than 20% of the state, but provides drinking water for more than 70% of its residents. The Highlands Council is charged with the region’s protection.