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Hamilton Township, Atlantic County
1,927 Acres
Hamilton Preserve is considered by many to support the world’s
largest population of the federally threatened and state endangered
plant, Knieskern’s beaked rush. Seemingly unremarkable,
the small 10-12 inch high plant in a family of plants known as
rushes, could be overlooked as just another grass-like weed. However,
this small rush has come to skillfully select and adapt to disturbed
areas with wet sand as well as the Pinelands naturally occurring
vernal pond habitats. Sometimes known in this region as “pingos”
or coastal plain ponds, these vernal ponds are small and often
very round in shape. These ponds are filled in spring but dry
up each summer and become grassy openings in an otherwise forested
landscape. This “drying out” period is key not only
for the Knieskern’s beaked rush, but also for the Pine Barrens
treefrog that depends on these ponds for breeding. In spring,
the treefrog's eggs cling to sticks or other debris in the water
and develop into tadpoles, then leave the pond as frogs before
the pond totally dries. The annual drying eliminates any fish
that might pray on the eggs or tadpoles. But deep ponds with fish
are also part of the landscape. Years ago, many areas of this
preserve had been mined for sand. Now left behind are multiple,
year-round ponds which add diversity to the habitat. Pitch pine
uplands and lowlands, Atlantic white cedar bogs and shrub oak/sheep
laurel thickets are some of the more common forested communities
at Hamilton Preserve. The preserve contains the headwaters of
the Gravelly Run, a tributary to the Great Egg Harbor River, and
part of the National Wild and Scenic River System.
Public Access and Uses:
The general public can best enjoy the preserve with a walk or
bike ride along the Atlantic County Parks Department’s new
paved rail-trail. The trail follows the route of an abandoned
train line, and now provides a convenient means to see some of
the special areas of the Hamilton Preserve. For those who like
to fish, good opportunities can be had for pickerel, bass and
bluegill. The Trust allows registration
for deer hunting at this preserve.
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