This fall, Monmouth Conservation Foundation is proud to honor Richard “Dick” and Elizabeth “Libby” Scudder, two visionaries whose legacy spans journalism, environmental innovation, and land preservation. Their most enduring contribution to the natural world is Scudder Preserve, a 90-acre natural treasure in Middletown, now owned and stewarded by MCF.
Photo of Dick and Libby courtesy of Jean Scudder
The Scudder family began safeguarding the property in 1983, donating conservation easements to MCF over nearly two decades. Dick and Libby’s commitment deepened with a gift of 60 acres to New Jersey Audubon (NJA) in 2007, followed by a bequest of the remaining 30 acres and their homestead upon Dick’s passing in 2012. In April 2024, MCF became the proud owner of Scudder Preserve, our first landholding, marking a new chapter in our mission to protect and steward open space in Monmouth County. This remarkable preserve, split by Browns Dock Road and nestled beside Huber Woods and the nearby Navesink River, will continue to inspire environmental awareness and serve as a gathering place for outdoor education beneath the tulip trees and rhododendrons Dick planted.
The pond at Scudder Preserve. Photo by Jena Cosimo.
Photo of Dick Scudder courtesy of Jean Scudder
Dick Scudder (1913–2012) was a pioneering force in American journalism. He began as a reporter before becoming a publisher and co-founder of MediaNews Group, which grew to become one of the nation’s largest privately held newspaper publishers. He also served in World War II, remaining in post-conflict Germany to help reestablish a free press. An enterprising inventor, Dick co-developed a de-inking process that enabled newspaper recycling in the U.S., a breakthrough he and his chemist friend Bob Illingsworth devised in the Scudder family’s kitchen sink. In a remarkable act of public mindedness, they chose not to patent the process, despite its immense commercial potential, because they believed the ability to recycle paper should be shared freely. Dick was inducted into the Paper Industry Hall of Fame in 1995 and served as a trustee at both the Princeton Environmental Institute and Rutgers University.
Libby Scudder (1920–2004) was born in China and raised in the U.S. She was a registered nurse known for her warmth and generosity. Libby and Dick were married for 60 years and raised their children, Holly, Charles, Carolyn, and Jean in New Jersey, imbuing their family life with a deep value for nature and community. As their daughter Jean shares, they were devoted to preserving land and were beloved in the community for their kindness, inclusivity, and quiet philanthropy.
Photo of Libby Scudder courtesy of Jean Scudder
The four Scudder children, from left to right: Carolyn, Holly, Jean, and Charles Photo courtesy of Jean Scudder
The Main Clubhouse, built by Edward Scudder, being transported by barge to the Rumson Country Club Photo Courtesy of The Rumson Country Club
This October, MCF will honor the Scudder family at our annual Fall for Conservation event at The Riverhouse at Rumson Country Club, a place of special significance to the Scudder family. Rumson Country Club’s historic Main Clubhouse was once the home of Dick’s father, Edward Scudder, who built it around 1900. Once acquired by the club, the home was relocated to its current position by barge. This powerful full circle moment aims to celebrate a family whose legacy has shaped not only the land but the heart of MCF’s mission.
“Dick and Libby Scudder represent the spirit of vision and leadership that defines our work at MCF,” says Bill Kastning, Executive Director of Monmouth Conservation Foundation.
“Their legacy will live on in every child who explores the woods, every community member who gathers to observe, and every moment of stillness beneath the trees they planted. We are honored to carry their legacy forward.”
A trail at Scudder Preserve Photo by Kevin Knecht
Through Scudder Preserve, generations to come will continue to benefit from Dick and Libby’s enduring commitment to conservation, education, and inclusivity. Their story reminds us that the most meaningful legacies are those that grow quietly over time in the service of others.
Scudder preserve
Photo by Kevin Knecht