Cape May NWR The refuge is located on the Cape May peninsula in Middle, Dennis and Upper Townships. The peninsula has the second largest concentration of shorebirds in the United States; 80 percent of the hemisphere's red knots and ruddy turnstones make their only stop here on their 6,000 mile spring migration. The area also provides wintering habitat for a high percentage of the Atlantic Flyway's black duck population and feeding and resting habitat for migratory raptors and woodcock. Several plant species under consideration for Federal listing as endangered or threatened occur here. When acquisition is complete, the refuge habitat will include estuarine salt meadow and marsh interspersed with tidal creeks and ponds, freshwater swamp and open water areas, and upland fields and forest. Linking the refuge's two units with a State-owned wildlife management area will provide long-term protection to a vital greenbelt corridor from Delaware Bay to Greater Egg Harbor.Recreation and Education- Wildlife observation, study and photography; and hunting of white-tailed deer. No visitor facilities are available.
Edison National Historic Site For more than forty years, the laboratory created by Thomas Alva Edison in West Orange, New Jersey, had enormous impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide. Out of the West Orange laboratories came the motion picture camera, vastly improved phonographs, sound recordings, silent and sound movies and the nickel-iron alkaline electric storage battery.
Edison National Historic Site provides a unique opportunity to interpret and experience important aspects of America's industrial, social and economic past, and to learn from the legacy of the world's best known inventor.
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Edwin B. Forsythe NWR Located 9 miles north of Atlantic City, this complex is composed of two separate Divisions, Barnegat in the north and Brigantine in the south. All public facilities, including the visitor center, are located at the Brigantine unit. Spring and fall migrations bring large numbers of waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds to rest and feed here. The refuge's extensive wetlands also provide important wintering habitat for waterfowl, especially black ducks and Atlantic brant. Beaches and dunes provide nesting habitat for piping plovers, black skimmers and least terns. Occasionally peregrin falcons, bald eagles and osprey are seen. The refuge habitat consists of coastal salt meadows and marsh, open bays and channels, upland fields and woodlands. Water impoundments are managed to enhance habitat diversity.Recreation and Education-wildlife observation, study and photography; visitor center exhibits (8:00 am to 4:00 pm, weekdays); 8-mile loop drive; two short nature trails; environmental education by advance request; hunting - waterfowl and white-tailed deer; fresh and saltwater fishing; and shellfishing - crabbing and clamming. An entrance fee is collected at the Brigantine Division.
Great Swamp NWR During the early 1960's, the Great Swamp was threatened by a 10,000 acre jetport proposed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. An unprecedented alliance of concerned citizens known as the Great Swamp Committee, worked to halt the construction of the jetport. Their efforts resulted in the 1960 establishment of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and Refuge Wilderness Area. Designation of the Refuge's Wilderness Area in 1968 was the first ever in the U.S. Department of the Interior.Swamp woodland, hardwood ridges, cattail marshes, grasslands, ponds and meandering streams characterize this 7,400 acre National Wildlife Refuge. In 1966 the refuge was designated as a Registered National Natural Landmark because of it being an exceptional example of natural history in the United States. The Refuge has many large oak and beech trees, some stands of mountain laurel, and species of other plants of both northern and southern botanical zones. It supports more than 220 species of birds (including one of the largest breeding populations of eastern bluebirds in the state); 39 species of reptiles and amphibians; 29 species of fish; 33 species of mammals; and, approximately 600 species of plants (including 215 species of wildflowers). Additionally, 26 of these species are listed by the State of New Jersey as being threatened or endangered, including the bog turtle, wood turtle and blue-spotted salamander. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge lies 26 miles west of New York City's Time Square and seven miles south of Morristown, New Jersey in Morris County. This oasis of wilderness, surrounded by urban and suburban areas, provides important habitats to fish and wildlife and a unique opportunity for the public to enjoy wildlife and wilderness within close proximity to urban centers.
Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, at Mullica River and Great Bay, is the only reserve in the national system to be named after an individual. It's also the only one in the reserve system to expand it boundaries seaward to the Atlantic Ocean.In addition to the ocean environment, the reserve encompasses wetlands, riparian habitats, barrier islands and forested uplands of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The area is regarded as one of the least disturbed estuaries in the densely populated urban corridor of the Northeastern United States.
Morristown National Historical Park Morristown National Historical Park preserves sites in the Morristown, New Jersey area occupied by General George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War from 1779-1780. General Washington chose this area for its logistical, geographical and topographical military advantages, in addition to its proximity to New York City, which was occupied by the British in 1779.
Historical sites within the park include the historic Jacob Ford Mansion (General Washington's military headquarters during the winter of 1779-1780); the Upper Redoubt site (built in 1777 following the battles of Princeton and Trenton) in the Fort Nonsense Unit of the park; the historic Wick House & Farm (headquarters of General Arthur St. Clair); the 18th century Guerin house (home of local farmer, Joshua Guerin). Historic official documentation shows that Joshua Guerin applied for compensation from the Continental Army for theft of sheep and rations from his property by soldiers. Restored in the 1930s the Guerin house is used as a private residence and is not open to the public.
Morristown National Historical Park offers over 27 miles of hiking trails which cross through the New York Brigade area and the New Jersey Brigade areas, located in the Jockey Hollow Unit of the park.
