Nature in the Pines If you and your family are looking for a great way to experience nature in the Pine Barrens, make the Woodford Cedar Run WIldlife Refuge a "must see". Located in Medford NJ, this wonderful place is a haven for injured animals of all types. Whenever possible, the animals are rehabilitated and released, but some have become permanent residents here at the refuge due to the nature of their injuries. (west) (Photo courtesy FREC) Forest Resource Education Center, (FREC) is located in Jackson Township in northern Ocean County. The FREC includes the Interpretive Center and the New Jersey State Forest Nursery. The FREC strives to teach and practice forest stewardship - managing New Jersey's forest resources so that we have healthy trees and forests, clean air and water, and places to learn and enjoy the outdoors. (north) The Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, located on land owned by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, is situated on 194 acres of diverse coastal habitat adjacent to Barnegat Bay in Ocean Township, New Jersey. There are a variety of opportunities to explore this maritime forest, salt marsh, two tidal streams and the freshwater impoundment on this unique site. (east) For anyone interested in learning about the nature and the ecology of the Pine Barrens, Wells Mills County Park in Waretown is an ecellent source of information.  Here you'll find 900 acres of pristine pinelands, a cedar-spring fed lake with canoe rentals, miles of trails and a three-story nature center.  Visit the Nature center and take advantage of good displays and the great view from the third floor!. Take binoculars for birdwatching!   (east) See map If shorebirds are your passion, be sure to check out the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Absecon.  A long loop road through the wetlands on the shore of the Egg Harbor Bay a birder's paradise any time of year, but especially in early spring, when migration begins.  A surprising element is the skyline of Atlantic City looming in the southeastern horizon. If you're wondering what bird you saw while at the shore, in the Pine Barrens or in your own backyard, try this great bird identification website! Lots of information: http://www.whatbird.com/ (east) See more photos WETLANDS INSTITUTE AND MUSEUM, Stone Harbor - Bird watching events held on 32 acres of privately owned land as well as 6000 acres of state owned land. Also included are numerous exhibits and an aquarium depicting local marshland life. Focus is on preserving the Diamondback Terrapin, which can be seen on the nature trail. Gift shop with extensive book selection, as well as gifts for all ages. OPEN ALL YEAR. 609-368-1211 (south) A hike through the Pine Barrens may be the best way of getting close to nature. be on the lookout for the Pine Barrens Treefrog, an endangered frog about 1 1/2 inches long, who makes his home here.  You may also see white-tailed deer, fox, wild turkey, ruffled grouse and river otters, to name a few.  Many botanical wonders abound as well, such as pitcher plants, rare orchids, sundews and curly grass fern. The Batona Trail, a 49.5-mile hike through the Pine Barrens beginning in Ongs Hat and ending in Bass River State Forest in Burlington County, traverses beautiful areas not accessible by car. The trail is maintained by the NJ State Park Service and the Batona Hiking Club, the latter group being largely responsible for its creation and expansion over the years. It is easy to walk in most areas and can be accessed from many points throughout the region. Many areas rich in history are along the way, such as Four Mile, Butler Place, Martha and Washington.You'll also pass Carranza Memorial and Apple Pie Hill. Campsites are available in Wharton State Forest. And by the way, "Batona" stands for BAck TO NAture! (north to southeast) See map The Forked River Mountains, perhaps best viewed driving on County Route 539 north from Barnegat, have some of the most scenic vistas in the Pine Barrens.  The Forked River Mountain Coalition works diligently to keep this region in its natural state. The view from the roadways, however, is dimmed by the breathtaking beauty within this region. Pristine ponds, meandering sugar-sand trails winding through the hills - nature in the pines is seen at its best here. Take a guided hike or van trip with either the FRMC or Ocean County Parks Dept.- the many fire roads and trails can be confusing for the newcomer. (east) For the serious botanist, a visit to Webb's Mill is in order. Walk on the boardwalk through wetlands where you may find some rare endangered species, such as curly grass fern, orchids and several carnivorous plants such as sundew or pitcher plants. Please remember - look but don't touch! (north) Be sure to hike, bike, kayak or drive the Ecotour of Great Bay Boulevard in Tuckerton, down the scenic 6.7 mile road, ending on the Bay at the Rutgers University Marine Field Station. "Great Bay Boulevard EcoTour Trail Guide" can be found at the Tuckerton Seaport (609)296-8868 and First Bridge Marina & Kayaks (609) 296-1888. (east) See map Jakes Branch County Park in Beachwood NJ has been nicknamed "The Gateway to the Pine Barrens", and for good reason. The nature center at this 400-acre park and Pine Barrens preserve has dozens of displays and hands-on exhibits relating to the Pine Barrens. Photos, information and directions. (east)   DIRECTORY A-D E-N O-Z Airports About PineyPower Albert Music Hall Animals of the Pines Artisans of the Pines Arts and Science Atlantic County B&B's BarnegatLighthouse Bars Batona Trail Batsto Biking Birds of the Pines Birding Blueberries Blueberry Products Beaches Boating Books B.T. Byrne St. Forest Bug Museum Burlington County Bus Trips Buzby's Campgrounds Canoe rentals Canoe Trip Cape May Zoo Cedar Bridge Skirmish Chatsworth Chowderfest Cloverdale Farm Crabbing Cranberry Farming Cranberry Festival Cranberry Products Day Trips Decoy & Gunning Show Deer Hunting Dining Directions Dragonflies Family Fun FAQ's Farm Markets Festivals Fire in the Pines! Fine Arts & Science Fishing Flowers in the Pines Forest Conservation Forked River Mtns Forsythe Wildlife Refuge Fun for kids Getting Here Gift Shops Golf courses Hammonton Hand-crafted Items Hiking Trails Historic Villages Horseback Riding Homes for Sale HOME PAGE Hotels Hot Wings Hunting Insects Interviews Jakes Branch Park Jersey Devil Kayaking Leamings Run Lighthouse Center(NREF) Long Beach Island Lost Towns Maps Merce Ridgway Motels Museums mushrooms/fungi Music Nature Centers Nightlife Ocean Fishing Ocean County Info Ocean Township Off-Roading Parks/Forests Phone Numbers Pinelands Preservation Alliance Pine Barrens Jamboree Piney Phone Book! Piney People Pizza Plants of the Pines Rail Trail, Barnegat Railroad Museum Rainy Day Fun Real Estate Resorts Restaurants Self-guided Tours Sharrott Winery Shopping Sightseeing Sponsors Sports Summer Rentals Sweetwater Casino Telephone Numbers Tours Towns Trails, Equestrian Trains Tuckerton Seaport Upcoming Events Vacation Rentals Valenzano Winery Visiting the Pines Waretown Wells Mills Park Wetlands Institute Wharton St. Forest Whitesbog Wineries Winslow Woodford Cedar Run Wildlilfe Refuge Zoos   The Pine Barrens is becoming a popular tourist destination. It offers history, nature, boating, camping, fishing, swimming, and most of all, peace and tranquility. It's important to families who live here, whether for a few years or many generations, that our peace and tranquility be preserved.A local lawyer or doctor won't look any different than his neighbor who works the land. Thousand dollar suits aren't what impress people of the Pines - taking care of nature and fellow man is what matters. To that end, it is important for you to know that as a visitor to our precious Pine Barrens, you should show respect for the flora and fauna, for the historical buildings or their remains, and show respect for the "locals". Walk and drive gently. Treat our Pine Barrens as you would want a visitor to treat your own home town - and your own family. Thank you. © 1998-2018 PineyPower.com Celebrating PineyPower's 20th Year! Barnegat NJ 08005 Owner-Webmaster: Cathy Antener Please note: Unless otherwise noted, all articles and photographs on this site are the property of PineyPower, and as such, may not be reproduced without written permission. Thank you.