Organizational History

The Highlands region, where Hi-C3 is rooted, has a long history of both exploitation and recovery. Once shaped by 19th-century mining and widespread deforestation, the land has since regenerated through conservation efforts, watershed protection, and open-space preservation. The parcels that now make up Hi-C3 were historically used for farming, small-scale mining exploration, and even as the site of the Willow Brook Inn, a community gathering place that operated until 2000. Most recently, the property operated as "Sweet Water Farm," a working farm that we acquired from Don and Linda Weiss, who had lovingly tended the land for over three decades, cultivating hay fields and raising chickens. Today, after decades of stewardship and resilience, the land provides fertile ground for ecological restoration, carbon sequestration, and community education. Hi-C3 builds on this legacy by honoring both the Indigenous Munsee Lenape people who originally stewarded the region and the conservationists who later safeguarded its open spaces.

From its inception, Hi-C3 has been driven by a shared vision among conservation leaders, local stakeholders, and academic partners who recognized the Highlands region as a powerful landscape for demonstrating climate solutions. The nonprofit was formally launched in 2024 with strong support from founder Jim Lyons and Executive Director Danny Haber, along with a team of advisors, students, and community partners committed to building a model of land stewardship that integrates science, education, and resilience. Early efforts focused on developing a Year-One strategy with the help of students from nearby universities, tapping into their research skills and innovative thinking to shape the organization's foundation.

Looking Ahead

Hi-C3 is committed to shaping the future of climate resilience through demonstration, education, and collaboration. Our goals include:

• Restoring forests, wetlands, and farmland to maximize biodiversity and carbon sequestration

• Developing adaptive management strategies to respond to climate stressors such as extreme weather, shifting habitats, and invasive species

• Expanding educational programming to connect youth and communities with hands-on climate solutions

• Serving as a regional hub for conservation partners, policymakers, and researchers working to advance climate-smart land management

By combining scientific research, traditional ecological knowledge, and community action, Hi-C3 aims not only to protect the Highlands today but to inspire climate solutions that ripple far beyond our region.