Preserving land and naturalresources for the benefit of all– that’s the mission of New Jersey ConservationFoundation. Founded in 1960, this private, non-profit organization has helped protectmore than 120,000 acres of land throughoutthe state. New Jersey Conservation Foundationprotects threatened natural areas and farmlandthrough acquisition and stewardship, promotesland conservation policies and helps to safe-guard our water and other natural resources.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation manages more than 50 miles of hiking trails on 14 preserves with thousands of acres of open space. Donate today to help keep the Garden State green.

Please conserve resources by returning or recycling this map.

BALD EAGLE

A breeding pair of Bald Eagles returns to the preserve each spring to nest and raise their young.Migrating and wintering eagles can be spottedalmost daily during the colder seasons as they soar above open waters in the hunt for food.

ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR

The graceful Atlantic White Cedar, prized by colonial-era shipbuilders for its natural resistance to rot andpests, is found near natural watercourses. AtlanticWhite Cedar was greatly depleted in New Jersey, but is now rebounding at the Franklin Parker Preservedue to permanent protection of the cedar forests as well as the planting of thousands of seedlings.

Franklin Parker PreserveTRAIL GUIDE

History of Franklin Parker Preserve

For the better part of the 20th century, the propertynow known as the Franklin Parker Preserve, was

a cranberry farm owned by the DeMarco family ofHammonton, NJ. In the early 2000’s, the DeMarcosdecided to sell their property and New JerseyConservation Foundation stepped in to ensure that the property – critical to conservation and ecological

enhancing its nearly pristine quality as wildlife habitat in the heart of the Pine Barrens. However,some familiar parts of the old cranberry farmremain: large expanses of manmade reservoirs that provide unique open-water habitats anduncommon scenic vistas. The restoration wasdesigned in partnership with Ducks Unlimited and funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Photo by Michael H

ogan

Photo by Blaine R

othhauser

Photo by Michael H

ogan

Photo by Bob Z

appalorti

Photo by Blaine R

othhauser

New Jersey Conservation Foundation restoredfreshwater wetlands on nearly 1,000 acres

of former cranberry bog within the Franklin ParkerPreserve. Modern cranberry farms utilize a massive plumbing system of dikes, drains, canalsand diesel pumps that manipulate water levels to promote high berry yields. At Franklin ParkerPreserve, a more natural flow has been returned to six headwater tributaries of the Wading River,

restoration in the heart of the Pine Barrens – wouldnot be split and sold to multiple private owners.Within a matter of months, New Jersey ConservationFoundation negotiated the purchase of the entiretract, culminating on December 31, 2003 in the largest private conservation transaction in state history –9,400 acres for $11.6 million!

After acquiring the land, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources ConservationService purchased an easement that prohibits a returnto agricultural use on formerly farmed areas settingthe stage for a dramatic wetland restoration (seebelow). In addition, the New Jersey Department ofEnvironmental Protection purchased a 40% interest in the land to reinforce its preservation in perpetuity. Today, in conjunction with providingunique and high-quality public access, the primarygoals for the property are to restore and enhance thebiological diversity and critical natural resources ofthis portion of the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

The preserve is dedicated to Franklin E. Parker III, firstchair of the Pinelands Commission and a courageousconservationist who greatly influenced the successfulpassage of the 1979 Pinelands Protection Act.

170 LONGVIEW ROAD |FAR HILLS, NJ 07931

908-234-1225 |www.njconservation.org

PINE BARRENS TREE FROG

Vibrant green and brightly marked, the tiny PineBarrens Tree Frog is an icon of the Pine Barrens. Its rapid “quonk-quonk-quonk” call can be heardthroughout the Franklin Parker Preserve in the late spring and early summer.

PINE BARRENS GENTIAN

The spectacular Pine Barrens Gentian, whose five-petal flowers are vivid blue or sometimes pink-flecked white, blossoms from early Septemberto mid-October along the sides of damp, open trails.

Wetland Restoration

Photo by Michael H

ogan

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