NBP is establishing a Sussex County Committee to identify ecologically important preservation opportunities. A Project Preservation Area of 1,300 acres has been formally proposed to the DEP in the foothills of Hamburg Mountain. The preservation of this area would create a buffer for the 2,640 acre Hamburg Mountain Wildlife Management Area, which will help maintain the existing biodiversity.

The Hamburg Mountain region is documented habitat for threatened and endangered species, including Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Goshawk and Bobcat, as well as typical Highlands fauna, including Bears, River Otter, and Beaver. It is also home to the Cerulean Warbler, a neotropical migratory songbird which a national coalition of conservation groups recently petitioned the federal government to protect under the Endangered Species Act.

Hamburg Mountain is an integral part of a major contiguous forested area of New Jersey's Highlands region. Fragmentation and destruction of these forests are the major threat to the Highlands ecosystem. In addition, wetlands systems designated of “exceptional resource value” by the NJDEP are also located on Hamburg Mountain.

NBP is presently working on several local proposals to formally identify and survey locally rare or vanishing species.  After the intended studies, recommendations will then be made to local NGO's and governmental entities on how to protect these species and the required habitat.

NBP is a certified and approved Department of Defense Contractor for threatened and endangered species surveys and ecological studies. In 2002, 2003, and 2004, NBP conducted breeding bird surveys for grassland species at Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station. Survey results and data interpretation by NBP are utilized by the DOD's Natural Resources Manager to gauge success of their grassland bird habitat management practices which include plantings, tree grubbing, and rotational burns. The Station is a biological oasis, providing irreplaceable habitat for several species of threatened and endangered herptiles and birds, such as: Northern Pine Snake, Pine Barrens Treefrog, American Bittern, Barred Owl, Upland Sandpiper, Henslow's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Vesper Sparrow. All of these species have been recorded on site by NBP's survey teams.

NBP’s studies at Lakehurst have reiterated the importance of this unique preserved area. Presently we are submitting a proposal to the DOD for increasing biodiversity at Lakehurst. The proposal shall describe and then provide habitat for Henslow’s Sparrow. Henslow’s Sparrow has been recorded once in the last ten years as a confirmed breeding bird in NJ (Lakehurst). Recently NBP has found the species at the Base. A management plan that specifically address this species requirements and eventually proves successful would be a note worthy event in the conservation field.

NBP is presently working on establishing three regional "Acquisition Committees" within New Jersey that shall more efficiently observe and react to land conservation opportunities.  Once an ecologically significant property is recognized, threatened by development, or listed for sale, a local NBP representative can contact the owner to explore the advantages of permanent preservation to our communities.

NBP members have joined The Rahway River Association and the Arthur Kill Coalition. NBP is becoming involved with some of the habitat restoration issues in this large area.

The NBP team won the Limited Geographical Area Award in the 2003 World Series of Birding sponsored by the New Jersey Audubon Society. NBP's team identified a record 163 bird species within Sussex County, NJ in a 24 hour period. This event provides valuable information regarding bird populations within the state of New Jersey.

In 2004, NBP members Fred Virrazzi and Mike Casper lent their avian expertise to the Monmouth County Audubon Society’s WSB team to help raise funds for the worthy work the Society performs in the county. Their exploits were covered by the Tri-Town News . The team won the Limited Geographical Area Award by identifying a record 167 species within Monmouth County, NJ. Some of the breeding birds found are the last pairs that remain in the County. NBP plans to propose some biodiversity programs to preserve these populations before they disappear.

NBP has also established several monthly avian biodiversity records in New Jersey by organizing "Big Day Teams". This baseline data will be useful in detecting changes in avian biodiversity which may act as a barometer for the general "habitat health" of the state.