36th Annual Pinelands Short Course
Click on the times below to see the course descriptions.
Check-In begins 7:30 a.m. in the Campus Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive | Galloway NJ, 08205
Lunch: The Campus Center has ample seating for you to enjoy the lunch you bring from home, or you may purchase lunch from the dining hall.
Inherited Generational Traumas
Ty “Dancing Wolf” Ellis, CEO & Owner of the Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project
With the beautiful Culture and Traditions passed down to Indigenous People from the ones that came before comes the domino effect both directly and indirectly caused by the oppression and attempted forced erasure of their way of being. This panel will bring together Indigenous People with roots in Lenapehoking who grew up in the 90's and 00's experiencing the continued battle to reclaim their heritage that had been on the brink of extinction.
Drawing the Pinelands
Allen Crawford
Join award-winning illustrator Allen Crawford for a presentation and discussion about his life and work as an artist and naturalist in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and how his two lifelong pursuits influence each other. Allen has been a longtime volunteer for local conservation organizations like the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and New Jersey Conservation Foundation. He is currently working as a seasonal trail steward for the NJ Park Service.
(Course is FULL as of 01/10/2025)
Pine Needle Basketry for Beginners
Pat Heaney, Assistant Director of Education, The Watershed Institute
The people of the pines made baskets from the local flora. Learn how to make a small basket from pitch pine needles. We’ll use a simple stitch easy for beginners to learn. Bring your patience! All materials will be provided. Limited to 12 participants.
Geological history of the Pine Barrens
Murray Rosenberg, Professional Geologist, Retired
The Pine Barrens has a long geologic history that began about 200 million years ago and continues to evolve today. Attendees will learn about geologic time and the processes that resulted in the many geologic formations that make up the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Pine Barrens that sits at the top of the Coastal Plain in NJ. Attendees will also learn about the influence of global sea level changes and glacial ice ages that resulted in the current location and geology of the Pine Barrens.
The Batona Trail
Rosemarie Mason and Diane Mason, Outdoor Club of South Jersey
Attendees will learn the history of the 53-mile Back to Nature Trail before the presenters provide a comprehensive overview and virtual hike through upland forests, cedar swamps and long abandoned cranberry bogs. The presentation will highlight historic Batsto Village, Tea Time Hill and Apple Pie Hill, the Drunken Hobbit Bridge, Pakim Pond and Ong’s Hat.
Trees of the Pine Barrens
Gina DiMaio, Park Naturalist Burlington County Parks System
The Pine Barrens of New Jersey consist of a mosaic of habitats defined by the tree species found here. This session will explore the most common tree species of the region and how to identify them. The presenter will emphasize the competition between oaks and pines as well as the cultural significance and wildlife value of the tree species in the region.
Cranberry Farm Lost and Found
Allison Pierson, Executive Director, and Thomas Besselman, Board President, Whitesbog Preservation Trust
Attendees will take a virtual tour of cranberry farms across the Pinelands, looking at collections and historic cranberry farms that are gone, and learning about the Whitesbog Preservation Trust Cranberry & Blueberry Museum cranberry sorters, scoops, historic images and much more.
Seven Bridges Road
Kenneth W. Able
The essence of this presentation is focused on the natural and human history of Seven Bridges Road (formally Great Bay Boulevard) and includes the Sheepshead Meadows and the adjacent islands (Seven Islands, Story Island Complex). It begins with the geology of the region and the earliest inhabitants, the Lenape. It extends to the future with a discussion of the effects of climate change and sea level rise.
A Pinelands Road Trip
Andrew Anderson, New Jersey State Park Service
Do you want to visit the Pinelands National Reserve but you’re afraid you might get lost or stuck down a sandy trail? There are numerous historic sites, lost towns, nature centers and monuments you can still visit entirely by paved road. Join us for a virtual tour as we enjoy slides and stories of places you can easily visit yourself.
Batsto’s Sawmill: Preserving the Pine Barrens’ Industrial Past
John Hebble, Historian, Batsto Village, New Jersey State Park Service
From its founding as an iron furnace in 1766 to its present preservation as one of the most significant historic sites in South Jersey, Batsto Village has been inextricably tied to wood cultivation, forest management, and lumber production. Today, Batsto’s 1882 Sawmill stands as an enduring link that connects the village’s centuries of history. This session will explore the history of lumber milling at Batsto, Wharton’s modernization of the existing sawmill, and the ongoing preservation efforts that keep it in use and open to the public.
Mosses, an Introduction
John Hooven, Forester
Welcome to the world of bryophytes, the pioneer group of land plants that populated the earth. Mosses are a fascinating organism that are unlike any other. Attendees will learn the basic biology and ecology of these non-vascular plants found throughout the world. Part of this exploration will showcase research into a common moss in the NJ Pine Barrens, its relationship with a lichen and the foundations of life in primary succession. A short discussion will also debunk mosses’ maligned reputation in lawns and gardens, and preview how to start a moss garden.
Paddling in the Pines
Monica Cahill, Operations Lead and Guide, Pinelands Adventures
The Pinelands offers an abundance of paddling opportunities. Focusing on the Mullica River watershed, participants will discover the best launch points and how to make the most of their paddling experience. Attendees will also learn essential details about timing, preparation, and navigating the unique features of Pine Barrens rivers and learn how to interpret local USGS water gauge data. While learning about the unique features and hidden gems of the Pine Barrens rivers, attendees will gain an appreciation for the incredible ecological treasures these rivers hold and how we can protect them.
Anomalies of the Pines Van Tour
Jeff Larson, Lead Guide, Pinelands Adventures
This field trip includes a 2-hour and 45-minute bus and (short) walking tour through Bass River State Forest and Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area. Participants will explore the ancient and mysterious vernal ponds of the Pinelands, known as spungs. Participants will also witness the world's largest dwarf pine forest. The unique ecology and legends of these natural anomalies will be presented and discussed. Participants should wear hiking boots and dress for windy conditions.
Community Science in the Watershed
Kaitlin Gannon, Education Coordinator and Amanda Archer, Coastal Training Program Coordinator, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
Come explore two community science opportunities that the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC NERR) offers within the Mullica River-Great Bay Watershed! We will drive to Wharton State Forest for a demo of the MyCoastNJ app and participate in the JC NERR’s community science eel monitoring program. MyCoastNJ is a crowd-sourcing tool where users can submit photos to document environmental changes in their community. The JC NERR eel monitoring program allows volunteers to experience real world scientific research while learning about the ecological importance of eels. Participants should dress for the outdoors, minimal walking required.
Birding the Pinelands of Stockton University (inside and outside)
John Rokita, Assistant Supervisor - Vivarium and Collection Room Facilities, Stockton University, NAMS
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the diverse bird species found on the Stockton University campus throughout the seasons. The first session includes a classroom presentation where participants can examine ornithological specimens, including study skins and live mounts, from the Stockton Collection Room. The second part features a field trip around Lake Fred to observe bird species in their natural habitat. Participants should bring comfortable walking shoes and binoculars for the field portion. This course provides a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge of local avian life!
Birding the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Naturalists from Ocean County Parks & Recreation
Attendees will travel the 8-mile long wildlife drive at the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, known internationally as a birding “hotspot.” The tour will include saltmarsh, freshwater and upland habitats. The site is especially known for its wintering waterfowl populations. We will identify wildlife sighted, discuss the importance of the various habitat types and the history of the refuge. Binoculars suggested. A limited number of loaner pairs will be available. Transportation will be provided.
Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the Pinelands (inside and outside)
Cameron Shapiro AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador WMA 14
Forrest Jennings AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador WMA 13
Morgan Crouch AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador WMA 15
James Montgomery AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador WMA 18
With the guidance of the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors, volunteers will have the chance to visit a local stream in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, where they can actively sample for these benthic macroinvertebrates. The program also includes a hands-on experience in identifying various species and understanding their ecological significance. By the end of the program, volunteers will have a deeper appreciation for freshwater ecosystems and the critical role they play in maintaining ecological balance. Volunteers will have a chance to get into a stream and sample for benthic macroinvertebrates, however, this is not required.
Become a "Citizen Scientist" with the iNaturalist App on your Smartphone
Lois E. Lyons, Master Educator (Retired), NJ School of Conservation
Hike at the Cedar Bog and Lake (Lot 7) and join the growing number of citizen scientists by learning to use National Geographic’s iNaturalist. Participants will mindfully hike and stop for lessons, taking research-grade photographs and navigating the App. Attendees’ photographs and identifications will eventually be confirmed by experts and utilized by citizens, students and researchers worldwide to study flora and fauna. Prior to the course, attendees will download the free App on their smartphone and create an account. (Suggestion for password: FirstName_Pinelands) Attendees should bring their charged smartphone. This program runs rain or shine. Sturdy shoes are required.
Inherited Generational Traumas
Ty “Dancing Wolf” Ellis, CEO & Owner of the Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project
With the beautiful Culture and Traditions passed down to Indigenous People from the ones that came before comes the domino effect both directly and indirectly caused by the oppression and attempted forced erasure of their way of being. This panel will bring together Indigenous People with roots in Lenapehoking who grew up in the 90's and 00's experiencing the continued battle to reclaim their heritage that had been on the brink of extinction.
NJ's Best Kept Secret: Biodiversity
Blaine Rothauser
This program introduces New Jersey’s best kept secret: its biodiversity. Attendees will journey from the northwestern tip of the state in Highpoint State Park to the southeastern corner of the state’s Cape May Wildlife Refuge – and everything in between. Presenter Blaine Rothauser, a professional ecologist and wildlife photographer, will highlight the state’s biodiversity, as documented through his 38 years of photographing the state’s natural history.
(Course is FULL as of 01/10/2025)
Pine Needle Basketry for Beginners
Pat Heaney, Assistant Director of Education, The Watershed Institute
The people of the pines made baskets from the local flora. Learn how to make a small basket from pitch pine needles. We’ll use a simple stitch easy for beginners to learn. Bring your patience! All materials will be provided. Limited to 12 participants.
An Intro to the Hidden Kingdom of Fungi with a special focus on Pine Barrens species
Keara Giannotti
Join naturalist Keara R. Giannotti on a virtual fungi foray through the NJ Pine Barrens, uncovering the myriad roles fungi play in this environment, from functioning as nutrient cyclers, to acting as pathogens, to forming mycorrhizal mutualistic associations with trees and plants. Whether you're already a fungi enthusiast or just a curious beginner, this program offers something for everyone interested in the fascinating world of fungi and the Pine Barrens ecosystem. Ms. Giannotti is the director of Camp Creek Run in Marlton, NJ, and a member of the NJ Mycological Association.
Nature: Accessible for All Initiative
Sean Kane-Holland, Pinelands Preservation Alliance
Nature: Accessible For All is a statewide campaign to engage people with disabilities, their families and allies to make New Jersey's natural places accessible for everyone. The Pinelands Preservation Alliance is facilitating this campaign and working with numerous public agencies, land trusts, and nonprofits. We will discuss the campaign’s work to hold forums, evaluate and improve the accessibility of trails and scenic locations across the state, promote accessible guided nature trips, and foster broad awareness that enjoying nature is both possible and good for you, regardless of one's abilities.
Salty Hay from the Tidal Meadows
Horace Somes JR.
“Salty Hay” from the tidal meadows is part of the “forgotten” history of South Jersey,
extending along the rivers from the Pinelands to the bayshore and from the Mullica
to Barnegat, and down to Cape May and Delaware Bay. The diminutive wetlands cordgrass,
Spartina patens, now covers vast areas of tidal marshes. It had multiple uses from the colonial period
when it was food for livestock that provided the horsepower for travel, farms and
commerce. The “hay meadows” also could provide pasture for nearby farms and communities.
During the Industrial era, it was raw material to produce various paper products at
Pinelands mills. Various specialized uses in agriculture and industry continued into
the 20th century. Today, it remains an important component of the estuarine ecosystem
that may appear to motorists only as a marshy panorama from bridges and causeways
to the Jersey shore.
Women’s Experience In the American Revolution: Camp Followers to First Ladies
JuliaRose Violante, Library Associate and Former Staff member of the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission
Attendees will learn about the experiences of the women who followed the Continental Army, those who enlisted, and those who were married to some of American history’s most celebrated Revolutionary officers. The presenter will discuss the everyday duties camp followers did to earn their keep, the motivations that drove them to follow the Army, and the heroic feats of some of the women who contributed to the war effort on the battlefield.
The Obscure and Beautiful World of Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata), from Seed to Flower
Rick Prickett, retired science teacher
See the step-by-step development of swamp pink through images starting before seed germination and continuing beyond the eight-leaf seedling. Characteristic forms of development will be interpreted, including the radical, cotyledon, embryo, stem apical meristem, leaf primordium, and the mature leaf rhizome. Seedlings were grown under artificial light in 2024 to discover and photograph each phase of development. The yearly life cycle of mature plants will be examined, as well as their cultivation, phylogeny, and why these plants have become threatened.
The People of Double Trouble Village
Andrew Anderson, New Jersey State Park Service
Double Trouble Village is a former lumber town and cranberry farm. Join historian Andrew Anderson as he discusses the people who founded the settlement during the colonial era, expanded the lumber industry during the 19th century, and transformed this tract of land into one of the largest cranberry operations in the state. Through slides and film, we’ll meet some of these property owners and the people who worked here.
Native Plant Gardening in the Pine Barrens
Bailey Sanders, Stewardship Specialist Barnegat Bay Partnership
This presentation will highlight the beauty and ecological benefits of native plant gardening in the Pine Barrens. The presenter will guide participants on selecting, planting, and caring for native species that thrive in the sandy soils and diverse habitats. Attendees will learn how native plants support local wildlife, conserve water, and contribute to a sustainable landscape. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, join us to deepen your connection to this extraordinary ecosystem and create a resilient, low-maintenance garden with Pine Barrens-native flora.
Mosses, an Introduction
John Hooven, Forester
Welcome to the world of bryophytes, the pioneer group of land plants that populated the earth. Mosses are a fascinating organism that are unlike any other. Attendees will learn the basic biology and ecology of these non-vascular plants found throughout the world. Part of this exploration will showcase research into a common moss in the NJ Pine Barrens, its relationship with a lichen and the foundations of life in primary succession. A short discussion will also debunk mosses’ maligned reputation in lawns and gardens, and preview how to start a moss garden.
Sam Hunt of the Pinelands
Tim Hart with Grove and Kathy Conrad – Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission
This presentation is the third in a series on the Cedar View Lodge at Wells Mills Ocean County Park. Presenters Grove and Kathy Conrad will relate firsthand stories about this legendary Character, Boat Builder, and Picker from Waretown. Presenter Tim Hart, an Ocean County historian, will also discuss Sam while showing video footage and providing some historical context. Sam would want you to come on down and have a good time, as he did on many nights at Albert Hall.
Indigenous Survival in the Pinelands
Jeremy Newman, Associate Professor and Program Chair Communication Studies Program Stockton University
This presentation includes a combination of video clips and slides and focuses on the survival of Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape family clans in the Pinelands after first contact. Materials include interviews with members of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, photographs from Gouldtown: A Very Remarkable Settlement of Ancient Date (1913), and information from local 19th century newspapers. The video clips come from Jeremy Newman’s feature length documentary work-in-progress about the tribe. Graphics were co-designed by Newman and Communication Studies alum Kate Rowland.
NJ's Best Kept Secret: Biodiversity
Blaine Rothauser
This program introduces New Jersey’s best kept secret: its biodiversity. Attendees will journey from the northwestern tip of the state in Highpoint State Park to the southeastern corner of the state’s Cape May Wildlife Refuge – and everything in between. Presenter Blaine Rothauser, a professional ecologist and wildlife photographer, will highlight the state’s biodiversity, as documented through his 38 years of photographing the state’s natural history.
Raptors of the Pinelands
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge Staff
This presentation will introduce you to the charismatic raptor species regularly found in the Pines. Their natural history will be highlighted along with in-depth stories about our resident raptors. Live raptors will be present, and images will be used to enhance the learning experience.
The Batona Trail
Rosemarie Mason and Diane Mason, Outdoor Club of South Jersey
Attendees will learn the history of the 53-mile Back to Nature Trail before the presenters provide a comprehensive overview and virtual hike through upland forests, cedar swamps and long abandoned cranberry bogs. The presentation will highlight historic Batsto Village, Tea Time Hill and Apple Pie Hill, the Drunken Hobbit Bridge, Pakim Pond and Ong’s Hat.
Trees of the Pine Barrens
Gina DiMaio, Park Naturalist Burlington County Parks System
The Pine Barrens of New Jersey consist of a mosaic of habitats defined by the tree species found here. This session will explore the most common tree species of the region and how to identify them. The presenter will emphasize the competition between oaks and pines as well as the cultural significance and wildlife value of the tree species in the region.
Women’s Experience In the American Revolution: Camp Followers to First Ladies
JuliaRose Violante, Library Associate and Former Staff member of the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission
Attendees will learn about the experiences of the women who followed the Continental Army, those who enlisted, and those who were married to some of American history’s most celebrated Revolutionary officers. The presenter will discuss the everyday duties camp followers did to earn their keep, the motivations that drove them to follow the Army, and the heroic feats of some of the women who contributed to the war effort on the battlefield.
Preserving the Pinelands’ History on Paper: Researching in Stockton’s Special Collections
Heather Perez, Special Collections Librarian, Stockton University
The Special Collections at Stockton University include many items about the Pinelands. From the Robert Rose Photographs to Budd Wilson’s Papers to the New Jersey Pinelands Commission Records and more, these important collections are open to the public for research. Special Collections Librarian Heather Perez will share more about these collections and how to use them for research.
Quenching Jersey’s Thirst: A Groundwater Mystery
Claude Epstein
People have searched for groundwater since ancient Mesopotamian times. They dug wells and went to springs to get it. As populations grew, the ancients had to get water farther from where they lived. They overcame the problem of lifting water from wells and spring pools and transporting it by creating structures such as water tunnels and aqueducts. The power of moving water to operate mills and machinery developed during near modern times in Europe. This improved farming and industry. Again, human creativity overcame these problems. This technology was transferred to the colonies, radically changing the colonial environment. New Jersey provided much of the leadership in the development of groundwater resources. The first water wells were drilled in New Jersey in the 1830s while artesian well drilling in the 1880s allowed the Jersey shore development. The New Jersey State Geologic Survey identified all the state’s aquifers by the 1890s. Today, new challenges confront groundwater quality and quantity that are and will be overcome through additional creative human thinking.
Moths of Whitesbog
Ann-Marie Woods, photographer
Course participants will learn how science, history, and art are all resources to learn about moth species found at Whitesbog, an historic agricultural village located in Brendan Byrne State Forest. Topics include public moth events, 20th century lepidopteran research done in nearby environs, host plants, and moth species of greatest conservation need recorded on village grounds. Ann-Marie Woods, photographer and moth enthusiast, will discuss moths’ flying abilities and life cycles, along with their varied shapes, sizes, colors, and cryptic patterns. This course will appeal to people of all ages with many interests, including visual arts.
Why did New Jersey’s 2024 Drought Happen?
Joe Martucci, President & Director of Meteorology, Cup A Joe Weather and Drone
On November 5, 2024, parts of Ocean, Burlington, and Atlantic counties were classified as in “extreme drought” (D3 of 4) by the U.S. Drought Monitor, a first since 2002 for New Jersey. Days later, Gov. Phil Murphy and the Department of Environmental Protection issued the state’s first drought warning since 2016, regulating streamflow and reservoir levels to ensure water supply. This drought began much earlier, tracing back to early 2022. In this talk, we’ll explore its development, rapid worsening in the fall due to lack of rain, and Pinelands effects.
Sam Hunt of the Pinelands
Tim Hart with Grove and Kathy Conrad – Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission
This presentation is the third in a series on the Cedar View Lodge at Wells Mills Ocean County Park. Presenters Grove and Kathy Conrad will relate firsthand stories about this legendary Character, Boat Builder, and Picker from Waretown. Presenter Tim Hart, an Ocean County historian, will also discuss Sam while showing video footage and providing some historical context. Sam would want you to come on down and have a good time, as he did on many nights at Albert Hall.
To Tucker’s Island and Beyond” The Lyrical Tales of New Jersey by Valerie Vaughn (New Jersey’s Troubadour)
Valerie Vaughn, a New Jersey Heritage fellowship recipient award winner, will sing you the stories and folk tales of the Jersey Pines and the Jersey shore. Turning history and mystery into story songs, Valerie will present all the local favorites about people and places of the Pines, including Mrs. Leeds, Joe Mulliner, James Still, and Alice Paul, as well as tales of lost islands and traditions. Her lyrical tales are being published into a collection of books that will be available.
Become a "Citizen Scientist" with the iNaturalist App on your Smartphone
Lois E. Lyons, Master Educator (Retired), NJ School of Conservation
Hike at the Cedar Bog and Lake (Lot 7) and join the growing number of citizen scientists by learning to use National Geographic’s iNaturalist. Participants will mindfully hike and stop for lessons, taking research-grade photographs and navigating the App. Attendees’ photographs and identifications will eventually be confirmed by experts and utilized by citizens, students and researchers worldwide to study flora and fauna. Prior to the course, attendees will download the free App on their smartphone and create an account. (Suggestion for password: FirstName_Pinelands) Attendees should bring their charged smartphone. This program runs rain or shine. Sturdy shoes are required.
Anomalies of the Pines Van Tour
Jeff Larson, Lead Guide, Pinelands Adventures
This field trip includes a 2-hour and 45-minute bus and (short) walking tour through Bass River State Forest and Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area. Participants will explore the ancient and mysterious vernal ponds of the Pinelands, known as spungs. Participants will also witness the world's largest dwarf pine forest. The unique ecology and legends of these natural anomalies will be presented and discussed. Participants should wear hiking boots and dress for windy conditions.
Exploring Soils of the Pines (inside and outside)
Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Coordinator, Ocean County Soil Conservation District
This program includes both an indoor and outdoor component. We will visit different Pine Barrens habitats on campus, conduct a soil boring, explore the horizons and take samples. We will also take inventory of the vegetation growing in the different soils of each habitat. Back in the lab, we will explore the chemical and physical properties of the soil samples we collected, including texture, nutrients, and pH. (Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, we will carry-on entirely in the classroom!)
Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the Pinelands (inside and outside)
Cameron Shapiro AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador WMA 14
Forrest Jennings AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador WMA 13
Morgan Crouch AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador WMA 15
James Montgomery AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador WMA 18
With the guidance of the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors, volunteers will have the chance to visit a local stream in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, where they can actively sample for these benthic macroinvertebrates. The program also includes a hands-on experience in identifying various species and understanding their ecological significance. By the end of the program, volunteers will have a deeper appreciation for freshwater ecosystems and the critical role they play in maintaining ecological balance. Volunteers will have a chance to get into a stream and sample for benthic macroinvertebrates, however, this is not required.
Birding the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Naturalists from Ocean County Parks & Recreation
Attendees will travel the 8-mile long wildlife drive at the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, known internationally as a birding “hotspot.” The tour will include saltmarsh, freshwater and upland habitats. The site is especially known for its wintering waterfowl populations. We will identify wildlife sighted, discuss the importance of the various habitat types and the history of the refuge. Binoculars suggested. A limited number of loaner pairs will be available. Transportation will be provided.
Drawing the Pinelands
Allen Crawford
Join award-winning illustrator Allen Crawford for a presentation and discussion about his life and work as an artist and naturalist in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and how his two lifelong pursuits influence each other. Allen has been a longtime volunteer for local conservation organizations like the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and New Jersey Conservation Foundation. He is currently working as a seasonal trail steward for the NJ Park Service.
Raptors of the Pinelands
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge Staff
This presentation will introduce you to the charismatic raptor species regularly found in the Pines. Their natural history will be highlighted along with in-depth stories about our resident raptors. Live raptors will be present, and images will be used to enhance the learning experience.
Salty Hay from the Tidal Meadows
Horace Somes JR.
“Salty Hay” from the tidal meadows is part of the “forgotten” history of South Jersey,
extending along the rivers from the Pinelands to the bayshore and from the Mullica
to Barnegat, and down to Cape May and Delaware Bay. The diminutive wetlands cordgrass,
Spartina patens, now covers vast areas of tidal marshes. It had multiple uses from the colonial period
when it was food for livestock that provided the horsepower for travel, farms and
commerce. The “hay meadows” also could provide pasture for nearby farms and communities.
During the Industrial era, it was raw material to produce various paper products at
Pinelands mills. Various specialized uses in agriculture and industry continued into
the 20th century. Today, it remains an important component of the estuarine ecosystem
that may appear to motorists only as a marshy panorama from bridges and causeways
to the Jersey shore.
Cranberry Farm Lost and Found
Allison Pierson, Executive Director, and Thomas Besselman, Board President, Whitesbog Preservation Trust
Attendees will take a virtual tour of cranberry farms across the Pinelands, looking at collections and historic cranberry farms that are gone, and learning about the Whitesbog Preservation Trust Cranberry & Blueberry Museum cranberry sorters, scoops, historic images and much more.
Preserving the Pinelands’ History on Paper: Researching in Stockton’s Special Collections
Heather Perez, Special Collections Librarian, Stockton University
The Special Collections at Stockton University include many items about the Pinelands. From the Robert Rose Photographs to Budd Wilson’s Papers to the New Jersey Pinelands Commission Records and more, these important collections are open to the public for research. Special Collections Librarian Heather Perez will share more about these collections and how to use them for research.
No Wild Rivers in South Jersey: A Landscape Biography
Claude Epstein
The riverscapes of South Jersey resulted from the geologic and land use history. Delaware Valley rivers tend to have narrow, deep valleys made of fine -textured sediments, whereas South Jersey rivers tend to have wide, shallow valleys made of sand and gravel. Settlers used these rivers for many purposes depending on what part of the river was used. Lower sections were used for landings and for grazing cattle on coastal marshes. Middle segments were used for a host of mills and for farming operations. Upper portions were utilized for cranberry agriculture and to absorb runoff.
Moths of Whitesbog
Ann-Marie Woods, photographer
Course participants will learn how science, history, and art are all resources to learn about moth species found at Whitesbog, an historic agricultural village located in Brendan Byrne State Forest. Topics include public moth events, 20th century lepidopteran research done in nearby environs, host plants, and moth species of greatest conservation need recorded on village grounds. Ann-Marie Woods, photographer and moth enthusiast, will discuss moths’ flying abilities and life cycles, along with their varied shapes, sizes, colors, and cryptic patterns. This course will appeal to people of all ages with many interests, including visual arts.
Why did New Jersey’s 2024 Drought Happen?
Joe Martucci, President & Director of Meteorology, Cup A Joe Weather and Drone
On November 5, 2024, parts of Ocean, Burlington, and Atlantic counties were classified as in “extreme drought” (D3 of 4) by the U.S. Drought Monitor, a first since 2002 for New Jersey. Days later, Gov. Phil Murphy and the Department of Environmental Protection issued the state’s first drought warning since 2016, regulating streamflow and reservoir levels to ensure water supply. This drought began much earlier, tracing back to early 2022. In this talk, we’ll explore its development, rapid worsening in the fall due to lack of rain, and Pinelands effects.
Paddling in the Pines: An Overview of Kayaking and Canoeing in the NJ Pine Barrens
Monica Cahill, Operations Lead and Guide, Pinelands Adventures
The Pinelands offers an abundance of paddling opportunities. Focusing on the Mullica River watershed, participants will discover the best launch points and how to make the most of their paddling experience. Attendees will also learn essential details about timing, preparation, and navigating the unique features of Pine Barrens rivers and learn how to interpret local USGS water gauge data. While learning about the unique features and hidden gems of the Pine Barrens rivers, attendees will gain an appreciation for the incredible ecological treasures these rivers hold and how we can protect them.
Pine Barrens Folk Music: The Ridgway Repertoire and More
Jackson Pines, Ocean County Folk Band Musicians: Joe Makoviecki (guitar/vox/harmonica), James Black (bass), Cranston Dean (mandolin/vox), James Herdman (fiddle), Max Carmichael (banjo, octave mandolin, flute/vox)
PBS and NPR acclaimed Folk band, Jackson Pines, will perform local folksongs from the Pine Barrens, focusing on the songs written and performed by Merce Ridgway Sr., Merce Ridgway Jr., and the Britton cousins, Uncle Bill and Walt, from Forked River/Bamber Lakes. For the past two years, this internationally touring Ocean County band have been learning regional songs from archives, academic articles, and local folks, and have recorded some of them on Pine Barrens Volumes One and Two (out now). The lineage of well-known folksongs "Mt. Holly Jail” and “The Unquiet Grave”, and how they got to Jersey, will be explained and demonstrated alongside the 20th century original compositions of two generations of Pinelands bands named The Pine Hawkers --- music made far away from the music industry as part of a long running regional tradition in those woods that stretches on to today. Jackson Pines will trace that line playing folksongs from the last 300 years alongside their own compositions from the last decade.
Register HERE!
Saturday, March 8, 2025 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Hosted by Stockton University for the New Jersey Pinelands Commission
Refund Policy: No refunds
This is a rain or shine event.
Price: The participant cost for attending the Pinelands Short Course is $60.00. This fee entitles each participant to attend one class during each of the four sequential educational sessions offered throughout the day. Educators can earn 4 Professional Development Credits.
Seating is limited and registration is first-come first-serve.
