Commercial Township Wetland Restoration Site
Portions of this 4200 acre site were diked as early as the eighteenth century
to exclude tidal flow from the Delaware Bay for the purpose of salt hay farming.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) purchased the property
in 1994 as part of a program to help increase fish productivity. Three thousand
acres of the site were modified in 1997 by creating a network of channels
and inlets to support restoration of normal tidal flow and the growth of desirable
marsh vegetation. The site now provides important spawning, nursery, foraging,
and refuge habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms, and wildlife using
the estuary. The site includes three observation platforms, two elevated boardwalks,
and a two mile nature trail.
Directions: Traveling south on county road 553 toward Port Norris,
there are multiple access points to the site’s public use facilities.
The Strawberry Avenue access site is located just off CR553 on the north edge
of Port Norris. The two remaining site are located at the end of High Street
near Bivalve. Elevated boardwalks and a two mile nature trail link the sites.
Hours: This unstaffed point of interest is open from dawn to dusk.
Delaware Bay Schooner
Project
The Schooner Project was founded in 1988 to educate the citizens
of the Delaware Estuary watershed about the region's natural resources and
maritime culture. The Project owns and operates New Jersey's official Tall
Ship, the 1928 Delaware Bay oyster schooner
A.J. Meerwald. Its home port is the historic oyster shipping
sheds on the Maurice River in Bivalve, which offer a scenic and historic window
to the Delaware Bay's past and current oyster industry. The schooner travels
from port to port providing educational sails and special on-board programs
for school children and the public. The project also maintains the Delaware
Bay Museum in Port Norris with exhibits highlighting maritime traditions of
the Delaware Bay.
Directions: The museum is located at 1727 Main Street, Port
Norris. From county road 553 turn south on High St. in Port Norris and follow
the signs to the schooner, docked behind the Project office at 2800 High Street.
Hours: The museum is open April through October from 1:00pm
to 4:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Schooner wharf is open year-round; call
ahead for sail schedule.
Telephone: (856) 785-2060 or 1-800-485-3072.
East Point Lighthouse
Constructed in 1849, this "Cape
Cod" style lighthouse provided Delaware Bay oyster schooners with
a navigational marker to the ports of Port Norris, Millville, Mauricetown,
and Port Elizabeth. It is the second oldest lighthouse still standing
in New Jersey. In the spring, observe the annual migration of thousands
of shore birds, especially in late May when the horseshoe crabs come
ashore to lay eggs.
Directions: Follow county road 616 (Glade Road) west
from state road 47 to Heislerville, and continue west on East Point
Road.
Hours: The lighthouse is undergoing restoration, and
the building interior is not open to the public except for special events.
There is an annual "open house" on the first Saturday of August.
Telephone: (856) 327-3714 (a business office).
Egg Island WMA
(Turkey Point)
The vast, windswept salt marsh here is dotted with hummocks of cedar
trees, bayberry bushes, sumac, and common reeds. Numerous tidal creeks
await the explorer, crabber and angler. There is a large pond in the
middle of the tract, which wintering waterfowl find attractive.
From the parking area, cross the foot bridge and walk the trails into
the marsh and watch for marsh wrens, seaside sparrows, northern harriers,
gulls, egrets, and herons. In midsummer, be prepared for biting deer
flies and green-head flies.
Directions: From county road 553 in Dividing Creek,
turn south onto Maple Street. Take Maple St. 2.7 miles to the road end
and the footbridge into the WMA.
Hours: This unstaffed point of interest is open daily
from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife
(856) 629-0090.
Fortescue State Marina
Fortescue is rightfully known as the "Weakfish Capital of the
World." The marina was purchased by the State of New Jersey in
the late 1930's. Its initial purpose was to aid in the enforcement of
shellfish fisheries management in the Delaware Bay. The marina is operated
under a lease agreement by the Fortescue Captains and Boat Owners Association.
Although personal vessels are berthed here, the majority of the slips
contain charter vessels (both large and small).
Directions: The marina can be reached via county roads
553 and 656 to Newport and continuing south on CR637 to Fortescue.
Hours: An interpretive exhibit on the history of New
Jersey marinas is accessible during daylight hours.
Telephone: (856) 447-5115.
Glades Wildlife
Refuge
Located along the Delaware Bay, this area is a conservation project
of the Natural Lands Trust, a regional land trust based out of Media,
Pennsylvania. In addition to the salt marsh and hardwood swamp forest,
you may find tidal marsh with interlacing creeks and ponds, farm fields,
mixed woodlands, old-growth woodlands, and beach habitats. Russell Farm
Trail is one of several opportunities to explore these habitats.
Directions: From county road 553 at Newport, turn
south onto CR656 and then south on CR637 at the blinking yellow light.
Follow the highway signs to Fortescue.
Hours: This unstaffed point of interest is open daily
from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: Natural
Lands Trust (610) 353-5587.
Green Swamp
Nature Area
The Green Swamp Nature Area is part of a 930
acre wetland restoration site along the Cohansey River. Public Service
Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) purchased the property in 1994
to increase fish productivity. Restoration efforts here have focused
on reducing the invasive weed, Phragmites. A hiking trail transects
an open field, woodland, salt marsh, and freshwater wetland. Enjoy a
variety of wildlife, from nesting osprey to feeding butterflies. A public
boat ramp provides access to the water.
Directions: Follow county route 553 into Fairton and turn south
on Back Neck Road. Follow it approximately two miles, and the parking
area is on the right.
Hours: This unstaffed site is open form dawn to dusk.
Telephone: 1-888-MARSHES (888-627-7437).
Greenwich Tea
Burning Monument
Cumberland County was a hotbed of
patriotic fervor in the months and weeks prior to the first shot which
began the American Revolutionary War. It was in the town square of Greenwich
on December 22, 1774, where young men dressed as Indians broke open
a supply of East India tea, bound for consignment at the port of Philadelphia,
and burned it, in protest to the heavy British taxes levied on the American
colonists. The Cumberland
County Historical Society unveiled a monument on the site in commemoration
of the event.
Directions: From state road 49 westbound, take county
road 607 south at Bridgeton. Eastbound on SR49, take CR620 south at
Shiloh, then left onto CR623 (Ye Greate Street) in Greenwich.
Hours: Accessible daylight hours only.
Telephone: (856) 455-4055 (Cumberland County Historical
Society).
Heislerville
Wildlife Management Area
The varied habitats of this WMA include river and tidal marsh boundary,
freshwater impoundments, diked salt-hay meadows, tidal mud flats, and
oak-pine uplands. The Maurice River flows past the area to the Delaware
Bay. A driving route winds around the impoundments. Bird-watchers enjoy
wintering snow geese and the occasional bald eagle. Mute swans live
here year-round. Horseshoe crabs spawn on the beaches during May, attracting
thousands of migratory birds.
Directions: Turn west at the traffic light for the
Mauricetown turnoff from state road 347 and south (left) at the next
light following SR47 south. In approximately another 3 miles, turn west
(right) onto CR740 (Mackey's Lane). Proceed 0.3 miles to CR616 (Dorchester-Heislerville
Rd.), and turn left. Travel 2.2 miles to CR736 (Matts Landing Road).
Turn right, and proceed 1 mile past the impoundments to a parking area
on the left.
Hours: This unstaffed point of interest is open daily
from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: NJ Division of FG&W (856) 629-0090.
Manumuskin River
Preserve
The Nature Conservancy’s Manumuskin River Preserve, at over 3500
acres, is comprised of a variety of habitats including mudflats, upland
forest, grassy meadows, wild rice stands, and lowland swamps. In addition
to 30 other rare species, the world’s largest population of the
globally rare sensitive joint-vetch is protected on the preserve. The
tidal wetlands here have never been diked and thus have a great plant
diversity. Remains of the 1790s settlement of Fries Mill are also part
of the preserve.
Directions: Take state route 55 to exit 21/Schooner Landing
Rd. Turn left at the stop sign. Follow the road to the main gate at
the end.
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: (609) 861-0600.
Maurice River
Township Wetland Restoration Site
This 1390 acre site was previously diked to exclude tidal flow from
the Delaware Bay for the purpose of salt hay farming. Public Service
Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) purchased the property in 1994
as part of a program to help increase fish productivity. PSE&G modified
1000 acres of the site in 1997 by creating a network of channels and
inlets to support restoration of normal tidal flow and the growth of
desirable marsh vegetation. The site now provides important spawning,
nursery, foraging, and refuge habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms,
and wildlife using the estuary. the site includes an observation tower
and several interpretive exhibits.
Directions: Traveling south on state road 47 from Dorchester
and Leesburg, turn west (right) on county road 616 (Glade Rd) toward
Heislerville. After approximately 1.5 miles, turn left onto Thompsons
Beach Road and continue to the restoration site parking area.
Hours: this unstaffed site is open form dawn to dusk.
Telephone: 1-888-MARSHES (888-627-7437)
Peaslee Wildlife
Management Area
One of the largest wildlife
management areas in the state, Peaslee has thousands of acres of upland
pine-oak forests and lowland bogs. Its longest border is the upper part
of the Tuckahoe River. Old cranberry bogs and a mill are in the early
stages of succession, and offer excellent freshwater marsh habitats.
Explore the diverse habitats: the wooded edge, pinelands, cedar bog,
hardwood swamp, scrub oak forests, sweet ferns, grassy fields, and yellow-clover
pasture.
Directions: From state road 55 exit 24, take SR49
east to county road 644 (Hesstown Road), about 5 miles. Turn left, and
proceed 1.7 miles. Turn east (left) on the sand road for a 1.6 mile
auto tour loop.
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: NJ Division of FG&W (856) 629-0090.
Peek Preserve
The Harold N. Peek Presesrve, owned by Natural Lands Trust, is located
along the freshwater, tidal Maurice River. The hiking trails will lead
you through many different habitats, including wild rice marsh, Atlantic
white cedar, hardwood swamp, chestnut oak upland, pine barrens, and
a Virginia Pine succession field. Waterfowl, bald eagles, osprey, turkeys,
and great horned owls are just a few of the birds that utilize the natural
resources of the preserve.
Directions: From Route 49 in Millville, take Route 47 south
1.5 miles and the entrance is on the right, accross from Lilac Avenue.
From the south, follow Route 47 north and take the jughandle at the
base of Route 55 to stay on 47. Continue north 3.5 miles, and the entrance
is on the left.
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Telephone: (856) 447-3425.
Last updated:
March 26, 2001
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