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Green Township, Sussex County
54 Acres
This property was first acquired by Green Township, with the
assistance of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, on behalf of
the State of New Jersey and the Natural Lands Trust. Preserving
this property was also the first step in Green Township’s
planned greenway to link the nearby Whittingham Wildlife Management
Area to the Pequest River. First Time Fen was so named by New
Jersey Natural Heritage Program Botanist David Snyder after his
initial plant survey of the area highlighted its rich plant diversity.
The property consists of an upland mixed hardwood forest with
many areas of steep dolomite rock outcrops. The preserve includes
an area of low-lying forested swamp edged in part with small groves
of northern hemlock along the slopes and ravine. The yellow water
buttercup occurs on this property. The property also provides
important habitat for animals including wood turtle, black bear,
turkey and songbirds. A maze of old logging roads zigzag across
the property providing access for hiking, although dense areas
of the prickly invasive plant Japanese barberry pose a challenge.
The Trust, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey and Green Township
hope to partner on habitat stewardship projects to tackle this
and other invasive species.
Public Access and Uses:
The preserve is open during daylight hours. Hikers can follow
non-maintained woods roads over hills and along the edges of forested
wetlands. Limited roadside parking is found along Phillips Road.
The Trust provides registration
for bow hunting only at this Preserve.
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