South Jersey Wildlife & Nature Centers
Known to locals as "Down Jersey," rural Salem County is rich
in ecological treasures. Numerous parks and trails, canoeing
and kayaking launch sites along the Delaware River make it a
hot spot for birders. Highlights include the Madhorse Creek
Wildlife Management Area, a 5,826-acre area of tidal marsh
and upland habitat in Lower Alloways Creek Township that is
rich in saltwater fish, waterfowl, pheasant and rabbit.
Mannington Meadows is an area along Route 45, between Salem
and Woodstown, that is prime viewing area for local and
migratory birds and wildlife.
Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a
2,000-plus-acre area of protected meadowland in Pennsville.
And during the month of May when more than 400 varieties of
azaleas are bursting with color, the privately-developed Jay
Pratt Azalea Gardens welcomes the public to enjoy the
blooms.
Hop in the car and cruise the
New
Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. The 300-mile auto trail,
which stretches from Perth Amboy to Deepwater, focuses on
five aspects of coastal life -- maritime history, coastal
habitats, wildlife migration, historic settlements, and
relaxing environments -- lets you get up close and personal
with the region's rich eco-assets. To get the most of your
drive, start at the
Welcome Center at Fort Mott where you can pick up
informational materials or get the scoop on Heritage Trail
highlights from a ranger.
Fans of the Pine Barrens can learn more about its unique
ecosystems at the education center at the
Woodford
Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford. Located on 185
tranquil Pine Barrens acres, easy-walking trails wind
through woodlands and wetlands, where deer, raccoon, fox,
hawks, owls, bald eagle and other native species call home.
At the
Rancocas Nature Center in Mount Holly, one of the New
Jersey Audubon Society's network of nature centers, birding
is just one of the many activities on the agenda. Programs
for everyone from toddlers to seniors cover everything from
butterflies and botany to composting and conservation.
When you arrive at
Palmyra
Cove Nature Park, you'd never know you are just minutes
from the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia. Hidden amid the
woodlands, the 350-acre Park is an important stop-over for
migratory birds. The environmental education center has
hands-on activities for children and adults that explain
what visitors will discover as they wind through the trails,
wetlands and tidal marshes. Bring your camera; the vistas
from the roof-top viewing area are spectacular!
Pictured: Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford
Credit: Valerie Pullen
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