New Jersey is Finally in the Network!
August 1, 2022, marked the addition of not one but two New Jersey forests to the Old-Growth Forest Network. Bear Swamp at Red Lion Preserve and Game Branch Preserve became the first two forests to be added to the Network from the Garden State and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Both forests are outstanding examples of how a state-created land trust can effectively protect and manage land in a way that ensures future generations will be able to enjoy all the land has to offer. The New Jersey Natural Land Trust (NJNLT) manages both preserves and was instrumental in the process of adding the forests to the Old-Growth Forest Network. NJNLT was created in 1968 by the New Jersey legislature to protect open spaces for the enjoyment of the public. Though the Trust was formed by New Jersey lawmakers, it maintains a high level of autonomy from the state government but still receives state protection. In doing so, the New Jersey government created a way for NJNLT to garner the trust and support of private industry stakeholders who have community conservation in mind.
Bear Swamp at Red Lion Preserve was named after a local legend about a man hunting bears in the area. While out hunting, he happened across a mountain lion that quickly charged towards him. After his gun misfired, the man fought and dispatched the lion with his bare hands. Upon returning to town with the mountain lion, this area was commonly referred to as “Red Lion”. The main old-growth forest contained within the preserve is mainly composed of Atlantic white cedar and American beech trees, some of which have been dated to over 180 years old. Other tree species include sassafras, white oak, chestnut oak, Southern red oak, American holly, pitch pine, short-leaf pine, black gum, red maple, and black cherry. Three streams either originate or flow into this area, creating many low-lying swamps and bogs, which provide the perfect habitat for many different species of insects, amphibians, and water-loving plants. In fact, the area is so swampy that it has been used as a cranberry bog in the past. Coming in at an impressive 1,200 acres, the Bear Swamp at Red Lion Preserve has been mostly forested since the 1930s, making it the perfect addition to the Network. Many generations to come will be able to visit Bear Swamp at the Red Lion Preserve and marvel at the giant trees within its boundaries.
Game Branch Preserve is located about 45 miles west of Bear Swamp and is situated closer to the Delaware River near Penns Grove in Salem County, NJ. Game Branch Preserve is a wet woodland ecosystem and contains dozens of shallow, ephemeral ponds that provide essential habitats for insects and amphibians, such as Fowler’s toad. Though much smaller than Bear Swamp at only 321 acres, Game Branch Preserve plays a critical role in providing habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The large swath of unbroken forest is mostly comprised of red maple, sweetgum, tupelo, swamp white oak, and American holly. Efforts have been undertaken by the NJNLT to clear out overgrown brush and to plant native grasses to increase bobwhite quail habitat. Game Branch Preserve is the perfect destination for birders and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Situated within a largely developed area, the preserve helps to protect the headwaters of the Game Branch Run, an important waterway that supplies many of the vernal pools located throughout the area. Since both preserves are within an hour’s drive of one another, it’d be easy to visit both in one day and enjoy the natural beauty that Bear Swamp and Game Branch Preserves have to offer.
Please consider making a donation to the Old-Growth Forest Network so that more forests like these can be protected for generations to come!
