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The New Jersey Legislature established the
Natural Areas System within the Department of Environmental Protection
in 1961, realizing that the development and alteration of habitats
in New Jersey ultimately leads to the loss of species, vegetative
communities and natural ecosystems that contribute immeasurably
to our quality of life. The Natural Areas Act created a kind of
Noah’s Ark for the natural features of the state, setting
aside certain ecologically significant areas using a stricter set
of rules than those governing other state-owned lands. Today, the
Natural Areas System consists of 43 designated natural areas encompassing
almost 40,000 acres, and extends from the Dryden Kuser Natural Area
in High Point State Park to Cape May Point Natural Area on the tip
of Cape May peninsula.
Natural Areas enjoy an exceptional degree of protection.
System lands may not be sold, leased or exchanged,
and they may not be altered in any way without
the approval of the DEP. Although boundary revisions
are possible, only legislation may remove an area
from the System. When an area becomes part of the
Natural Areas System, the DEP is required to develop
and adopt a comprehensive management plan to ensure
the continued protection of the ecosystems and
species found within the area. The Natural Areas
Council, a seven-member board appointed by the
governor, advises the Commissioner on all matters
relating to the System. The Natural Areas System
Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:5A provide detailed procedures
for classification and designation of natural areas,
development of management plans, allowable uses
and practices, procedures for conducting research
and scientific activities, and revising boundaries.
The rules also contain a list of all designated
State Natural Areas, including a management objective
for each.
Ongoing management activities in natural areas
range from periodic survey to monitor the status of an endangered
plant to research on restoration of a natural forest ecosystem.
In the Batsto Natural Area, Atlantic and Burlington counties, a
program is underway to monitor and manage populations of the state
endangered bog asphodel (Narthecium americanum), a yellow-flowered
lily restricted worldwide to a portion of the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Since 1999, the program has conducted experimentation to foster
the regeneration of Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
in New Jersey’s highest elevation cedar swamp at the Dryden
Kuser Natural Area, Sussex County. Suppression of hardwood vegetation
and exclusion of deer appear to be key factors in unleashing cedar
in this swamp forest. In the Island Beach Southern Natural Area,
Ocean County, colonies of the invasive nonindigenous plant Japanese
sedge (Carex kobomugi), which outcompetes native vegetation
and may destabilize coastal dunes, are being removed and replaced
with our native American beachgrass.
The DEP is committed to providing public access
to natural areas as long as it does not conflict
with the goal of preservation of natural diversity.
Protection is combined with the opportunity for
a broad range of public activities including scientific
research, education, hiking, hunting, fishing and
boating. The scientific community is encouraged
to perform research, particularly that which will
contribute to our understanding and management
of these lands and the species they support. Contact
the Office of Natural Lands Management for guidance
on requirements for conducting research in natural
areas.
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