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In July, Delaware Nature Society hosted 10 adults on a field trip to the Franklin Parker Preserve in the heart of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The group was ready to discover new wildflowers, try some wild blueberries, and experience a new ecosystem.
The Franklin Parker Preserve is a 16-square mile property owned and managed by the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. Here, uninterrupted Pitch Pine forest mixes with Atlantic White Cedar swamp, blueberry fields, shallow lakes, and former cranberry cultivation ponds that are now restored wetlands.
Russell Juelg, Senior Land Steward for the Foundation, met us for some botany and other adventures of the preserve. Normally, a visitor must walk or bike into the refuge to explore the 21-miles of trails coursing around the property. On this trip, we followed Russell by van on the sandy roads, making stops so he could explain the history, plant life, and management of this spectacular place.
Russell is an expert botanist, so we were in good hands to find interesting plants. Highlights were seeing 5 species of carnivorous plants including 3 kinds of sundew, pitcher plant, and bladderwort. The plants trap and consume tiny insects and other creatures and slowly digest them, adding to their diet.
The former commercial cranberry wetlands have been converted to vast acres of wetland. Wildlife, birds, fish, and interesting wetland plants are abundant…as are wild cranberries. In such a populated corner of the country, in the center of the most densely populated state, it is hard to believe that this incredibly wild, quiet, and beautiful place exists. At every stop through the preserve, wild blueberry and huckleberry shrubs were never far off, and we ate as many as we could pick. Picking blueberries here is legal, free, and does not require a permit, and I know a few of the participants planned to come back and pick more.
As a surprise, Russell took some dip nets and tubs out of his truck. He said, “Let’s see what kinds of fish we can catch in the wetlands”. Some of us brought boots, so off into the water they went, scooping to see what was underneath. Others netted from the shore. In short order, we were able to see and photograph a number of small fish which do not occur in northern Delaware. See some of the photos below. Super cool!
Visiting places like the Franklin Parker Preserve is inspirational, educational, and deepens our understanding of the natural world. It is also enriching to see how others are working to protect and enhance nearby natural areas.
Delaware Nature Society has a long history of offering unique educational trips for adults like this one. Become a Delaware Nature Society member and receive a discount on our field trips and support our conservation work and that of similar organizations like the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.
We invite you to join us on our upcoming programs or eco-tours to explore the world around us.