Added: 01/29/2006 |
Visiting The New Jersey Pinelands National ReserveThe New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve covers over a million acres of southern New Jersey, spanning over seven counties. Nearly 700,000 residents call the Pinelands home, not including the thousands of different species of flora and fauna. The Pinelands were designated the nation's first National Reserve in 1978, and were later named an International Biosphere Reserve in 1983. Given its vast history and biodiversity, those traveling to New Jersey and interested in the environment and agriculture should make the Pinelands a must-see destination.
The history of the Pinelands and its importance in human life began over 10,000 years ago, when the predecessors of the Lanape Indians appeared in the Pinelands. European settlement began in the 1600s and iron work and whaling quickly became popular. Whaling ended in the early 1800s and cotton mills began to take its place. In the early 1900s, the United States Army established Fort Dix as a training and staging ground for World War I troops. In 1937, the famed Hindenburg airship was destroyed by fire trying to land in one of the Pineland's many moors. The Pinelands' reserve history began in the 1960s, when McPhee wrote "The Pine Barrens" and started public outcry to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Pinelands.
Today the New Jersey Pinelands contain over 12,000 acres of pygmy forest, which is a stand of dwarf pine and oak trees that stand less than 11 feet tall. The trees are all fully mature, but are a unique dwarf species that do not grow as tall as the regular species of pine and oak most are familiar with. The Pinelands are also home to over 850 different species of plants, including several rare species such as the curly grass fern and broom crowberry.
Not only are the Pinelands home to unique plant species, they are also home to 39 mammalian, 299 avian, 59 reptilian and amphibian and 91 fish species. Forty-four of those species are endangered or threatened, including the Bald Eagle, Bobcat and Pine Barrens Treefrog. Many of the species that live in the Pinelands are dependent upon the unique conditions found there, which makes protecting this environment even more important.
For those looking to visit the New Jersey Pinelands, there are many public access points to the protected area. Permitted activities include bird watching, boating, kayaking, nature walks and stargazing. Within the acreage that makes up the Pinelands, other nationally recognized attractions can be found. These attractions include the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route, the Great Egg Harbor River, the Maurice River and Independence National Historical Park. In addition to site seeing, camping is also allowed in several areas of the reserve, so those who are interested can totally immerse themselves in this unique environment.
The Pinelands represent one of the few places in the North East allowed to flourish without overgrowth of human development. With continued support, it should remain protected and cherished for many years to come.
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