The Pine Barrens of New Jersey is one of the worlds most unique ecosystems, not to mention the largest tract of protected land along the entire eastern seaboard. It encompasses approximately one quater of the entire land area of the state of New Jersey, equaling some 2000-2500 square miles or 1.25-1.4 million acres. The Pine Barrens sits atop the largest aquifer in the world, the Kirkwood Cohansey Aquifer System, which holds as much as 17 trillion gallons of fresh water. Most of the towns located in southern New Jersey get their drinking water from these vast underground reservoirs. This immense natural habitat is, ironically, located in the most densely populated state in the union. It is located a mere 25 miles from Philadelphia and 35 miles from New York City.

Why are the Pine Barrens called the Pine Barrens? The early settlers, the first to explore the uncharted southern New Jersey landscape, believed the area to be devoid of life. In other words, they termed it barren. These settlers understood, because the soils of the Pine Barrens are sandy, dry, infertile and acidic, the probability of growing common food crops was and still is slim to none.

Only native plants are able to survive in these infertile, dry soils due to their unique adaptations. While some of these native plants are the oak species (Quercus sp.), the pine species (Pinus sp.) remain the dominant tree species in the Pine Barrens. Other tree species that are common to the Pine Barrens are Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Wild black cherry (Prunus serotina), Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), Red maple (Acer rubrum), Grey birch (Betula populiflolia), Sour or Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) and American holly (Ilex opaca).

Pine Barrens soil is so infertile and dry because the majority of it consists of sand (90% of which is quartz or silica (SiO2)), which was deposited 140-100 million years ago, when southern New Jersey was covered by the ocean.

The Pine Barrens is relatively flat and often referred to as the outer coastal plain. However, there are areas within the Pine Barrens that are relatively high when compared to the elevations of surrounding landmasses. One of these areas is known as Forked River Mountain, located in Lacey Township, Ocean County. It is one of the highest points in southern New Jersey, towering 175-182 feet above sea level.

The Pine Barrens region is known for its slow, crawling rivers and streams, which are highly acidic and tinted brown, a result of the high iron content of Pine Barrens soils and tannins that leach from organic matter along the banks of the water passageways. The Atlantic White Cedar is the primary culprit for this discoloration and toxicity, creating, what the local's term, cedar water.

Many different animal species, some of which are threatened and/or endangered, call the Pine Barrens home. The Timber Rattle Snake (Crotalus horridus) is one of these species. And, yes, rattle snakes live right here in Ocean County. Don't fret. The Timber Rattle Snake is the only venomous snake in the Pine Barrens. It lives in forested areas and hibernates in the cedar swamps.

The Timber Rattler, as it is termed by the locals, feeds only on warm-blooded prey such as moles, mice and shrews. It resides in dens and/or colonies where it is, generally, isolated from people. It is an extremely rare occurrence when one encounters a Timber Rattle Snake in the wild.

The Northern Pike Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), the Bald Eagle (Haliacetus leucocephalus) and the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) are but a few of the other animal species, threatened and/or endangered, who make their beds in the vast wilderness of the Pine Barrens.

New Jerseys Pine Barrens is one of the most interesting, curious places in the world to explore. A unique combination of geology and ecology has created a natural habitat that holds unlimited educational value.

A simple hike in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey will reveal to you a wonderfully diverse, complex world, full of history, mystery and countless hidden treasures. No one would ever expect such an intrinsic forest of pines to exist in this tiny state on the eastern seaboard of America.