FOWWOS Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet

FOWWOS: Friends of West Windsor Open Space.
Founded in 1996, FOWWOS is a not-for-profit organization (under federal code 501(c)(3) -- tax exempt) that works to preserve open space in West Windsor.
FOWWOS and the Township apply for County and State funds that are used, together with the local tax-based open space fund, to acquire open space.
FOWWOS has assisted the Township in acquiring much of the 1,525 acres of land (farms, woods and wetlands), which are now publicly owned and will be preserved as open space forever.
Approximately 750 additional acres are targeted for acquisition by FOWWOS and the Township.
Land acquisition benefits all of us by preserving the environment and slowing the Township's growth to prevent crowding of our schools, roads and services.
FOWWOS receives funds from the financial contributions of its members to help fund its activities. It also receives grants from State and County governments and private corporations. Most grants are tied to specific land aquisitions or programs.
All contributions to FOWWOS and membership dues are tax deductible, since FOWWOS is a 501(c)(3) corporation..
Many businesses have a policy of matching funds contributed by their employees to non-profit community organizations. Such matching funds have helped FOWWOS in the past.
Contributions to FOWWOS used for land acquisition also qualify for matching grants from the Green Acres program.
FOWWOS manages the West Windsor Clean Streets Program, which is conducted by community volunteers.
FOWWOS has spearheaded the establishment of the Ron Rogers Arboretum in West Windsor.
Within the Ron Rogers Arboretum, FOWWOS has helped fund and create the September 11 Memorial.
FOWWOS is also actively involved in developing an extensive network of bike paths and recreational trails within West Windsor, in partnership with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance.
FOWWOS is involved, in cooperation with Township staff and the West Windsor Shade Tree Commission, in preparing Individual Parcel Plans (IPPs) for the various open space areas within West Windsor that are under Township control. These plans will guide future maintenance and development activities on these open space lands. The IPPs will also form a basis for budgeting future maintenance and development spending.