A fight to save and preserve an environmental camp in West Milford has paid off.

Camp Vacamas Executive Director Michael Friedman says with little money left, he was considering selling the land to developers. In the end, Friedman says he decided to stay.

Friedman?s decision paid off on Monday with the announcement that Vacamas will receive more than $2 million in federal money to preserve the camp. The money was secured by state and local lawmakers through the Highlands Conservation Act and the Garden State Preservation Trust.

Meanwhile, a referendum on the November ballot will make more money available to other locations. If it passes, it would provide another $200 million for open space projects through next year.