Option Green: The Jersey Pinelands

The Jersey Pinelands: more than meets the eye

For many people who’ve lived in New Jersey their whole lives, this swath of land covering 20 percent of the state - commonly known as the Pine Barrens - is just a place you drive through to get to the shore!
Although its features are more subtle than the rugged land of the western states, the Pinelands are just as diverse, interesting and complex. Living in New Jersey and not exploring and learning about them is a big loss.

Join Jim Peck for an illuminating program on a wide variety of Pineland topics including carnivorous plants, the pygmy pine forest, Atlantic white cedar bogs, glass and charcoal production, orchids, rare tree frogs, the indigenous curly grass fern, the Greenwood boardwalk, the need for fire, the 17 trillion gallon Cohansey aquifer, pitch pines, the importance of the cuesta, Apple Pie Hill and much more!

As education director of the American Littoral Society, Jim led many overnight canoe trips through the Pinelands and has run “car caravan tours” to many of its sights. He also served as Executive Director of the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary in Short Hills and wrote the Trail Mix nature column for the Gannett Newspaper chain for 14 years as he explored the state from High Point to Cape May. Jim has spoken at Public Libraries all across NJ.

This program is funded by the EB Friends of the library and part of the Option Green series co-sponsored by the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission.