MOORESTOWN, NJ — The Burlington County community came together this week to celebrate the birthday of Barbara Rich, a dedicated environmentalist who has spent more than 60 years advocating for the protection of Burlington County's natural environment and wildlife. 

Rich, a longtime Moorestown resident, is the co-founder of the Rancocas Conservancy Land Trust for the Rancocas Creek watershed, and was also instrumental in Burlington County's vision for the Rancocas Greenway, a collection of more than 1,200 acres of preserved open space and parklands along the Rancocas Creek. 

Last September, Burlington County opened the first 4-mile segment of the Rancocas Greenway Trail envisioned to someday travel the 30-mile length of the Rancocas Creek, from its confluence with the Delaware River to its headwaters near the Burlington-Ocean County border.

This week, Moorestown Township held a special recognition ceremony for Rich. Several elected officials participated in the event, including Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, State Senator Troy Singleton and Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie, as well as Burlington County 

This week, Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel participated in a special recognition ceremony for Rich held by Moorestown Township Department of Resource Conservation Director Mary Pat Robbie and County Open Space Coordinator Matt Johnson.

"Rich has been a true ambassador for Burlington County’s environmental health and the entire county owes her a tremendous debt for her many years of service. We wish her a joyful birthday and many more to come," said Burlington County. 

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