The River gradually widens as it picks up the waters of 17 tributaries on its
way to Great Egg Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Established by Congress in
1992, nearly all of this 129-mile river system rests within the Pinelands
National Reserve. This National Park Service unit is unusual in that local
jurisdictions continue to administer the lands.

The River gradually widens as it picks up the waters of 17 tributaries on its way to Great Egg Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Established by Congress in 1992, nearly all of this 129-mile river system rests within the Pinelands National Reserve. This National Park Service unit is unusual in that local jurisdictions continue to administer the lands.

Bird's eye view of the park

Great Egg Harbor River

Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge was originally two distinct refuges: Brigantine and
Barnegat. They were established in 1939 and 1967 respectively, to protect
tidal wetland and shallow bay habitat for migratory water birds. In 1984 they
were combined under the Edwin B. Forsythe name, in honor of the late
conservationist Congressman from New Jersey. The refuge protects more than
48,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats which is actively managed
for migratory birds. More than 82 percent of Forsythe refuge is wetlands, of
which 78 percent is salt marsh, interspersed with shallow coves and bays. The
refuge’s location in one of the Atlantic Flyway’s most active flight paths
makes it an important link in seasonal bird migration. Its value for the
protection of water birds and their habitat continues to increase as people
develop the New Jersey shore for our own use.

The refuge lies on the indigenous homelands of the Lenni Lenape. Lenni Lenape
Indians were the first people to enjoy the wealth of seafood available in New
Jersey. Lenni Lenape means “true people” in the language of the Delaware
Indians.

The **Brigantine National Wilderness Area** comprises 6,681 acres of pristine
saltmarsh and barrier beach/sand dune habitats subdivided into the Holgate
(barrier beach and sand dunes), Little Beach Island (barrier beach, sand
dunes, maritime forest, and saltmarsh islands), and Motts-Mullica (saltmarsh)
units. The United States Congress designated the Brigantine National
Wilderness Area in 1975 to preserve refuge wetlands for the benefit of
waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, beach-nesting birds and other wildlife.
Both the Holgate and Little Beach Island units are two of the few remaining
undeveloped barrier beaches in New Jersey in addition to being one of the most
important nesting areas in the State for the piping plover listed as
threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

The Wilderness also preserves the original site of one of the many life-saving
stations found along the Atlantic coast before the creation of the Coast
Guard. Station #120 was built on the edge of Pullen's Island (present day
Little Beach) in the early 1870s.

In 1977, Congress acknowledged the uniqueness of the Brigantine Wilderness
Area by naming it as a Class I air quality area. Congress charged the Service
with the responsibility of protecting the air quality and air quality related
values (AQRVs) of the area from manmade pollution.

For more information about Brigantine Wilderness, visit wilderness.net.

Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge was originally two distinct refuges: Brigantine and Barnegat.  They were established in 1939 and 1967 respectively, to protect tidal wetland and shallow bay habitat for migratory water birds. In 1984 they were combined under the Edwin B. Forsythe name, in honor of the late conservationist Congressman from New Jersey.  The refuge protects more than 48,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats which is actively managed for migratory birds. More than 82 percent of Forsythe refuge is wetlands, of which 78 percent is salt marsh, interspersed with shallow coves and bays.  The refuge’s location in one of the Atlantic Flyway’s most active flight paths makes it an important link in seasonal bird migration. Its value for the protection of water birds and their habitat continues to increase as people develop the New Jersey shore for our own use. The refuge lies on the indigenous homelands of the Lenni Lenape. Lenni Lenape Indians were the first people to enjoy the wealth of seafood available in New Jersey. Lenni Lenape means “true people” in the language of the Delaware Indians.  The Brigantine National Wilderness Area comprises 6,681 acres of pristine saltmarsh and barrier beach/sand dune habitats subdivided into the Holgate (barrier beach and sand dunes), Little Beach Island (barrier beach, sand dunes, maritime forest, and saltmarsh islands), and Motts-Mullica (saltmarsh) units.  The United States Congress designated the Brigantine National Wilderness Area in 1975 to preserve refuge wetlands for the benefit of waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, beach-nesting birds and other wildlife.  Both the Holgate and Little Beach Island units are two of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches in New Jersey in addition to being one of the most important nesting areas in the State for the piping plover listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The Wilderness also preserves the original site of one of the many life-saving stations found along the Atlantic coast before the creation of the Coast Guard. <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Jul/04/2001772808/-1/-1/0/LITTLEBEACH.PDF" rel="nofollow">Station #120</a> was built on the edge of Pullen's Island (present day Little Beach) in the early 1870s. In 1977, Congress acknowledged the uniqueness of the Brigantine Wilderness Area by naming it as a Class I air quality area. Congress charged the Service with the responsibility of protecting the air quality and air quality related values (AQRVs) of the area from manmade pollution.For more information about Brigantine Wilderness, visit <a href="https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=79" rel="nofollow">wilderness.net</a>.

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1989, Cape May National Wildlife Refuge provides critical
habitat to a wide variety of migratory birds and other wildlife. It supports
317 bird species, 42 mammal species, 55 reptile and amphibian species, and
numerous fish, shellfish and other invertebrates. Its value for the protection
of migratory birds and their habitat will continue to grow as wildlife habitat
along the Jersey Shore is developed into roads, shopping centers and housing
developments. Cape May Peninsula's unique configuration and location
concentrate songbirds, raptors and woodcock as they funnel south to Cape May
Point during their fall migration. Faced with 12 miles of water to cross at
the Delaware Bay migrants linger in the area to rest and feed until favorable
winds allow them to cross the Bay or head north along the Bay's eastern shore.
The refuge has been designated a “Flagship Project” of the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan, identified as an Important Bird Area (American Bird
Conservancy), incorporated with in the DE Bay site of Hemispheric Significance
(Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network), and is located within the
portion of the DE Bay watershed that is designated a Wetland of International
Importance

Established in 1989, Cape May National Wildlife Refuge provides critical habitat to a wide variety of migratory birds and other wildlife. It supports 317 bird species, 42 mammal species, 55 reptile and amphibian species, and numerous fish, shellfish and other invertebrates. Its value for the protection of migratory birds and their habitat will continue to grow as wildlife habitat along the Jersey Shore is developed into roads, shopping centers and housing developments. Cape May Peninsula's unique configuration and location concentrate songbirds, raptors and woodcock as they funnel south to Cape May Point during their fall migration. Faced with 12 miles of water to cross at the Delaware Bay migrants linger in the area to rest and feed until favorable winds allow them to cross the Bay or head north along the Bay's eastern shore. The refuge has been designated a “Flagship Project” of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, identified as an Important Bird Area (American Bird Conservancy), incorporated with in the DE Bay site of Hemispheric Significance (Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network), and is located within the portion of the DE Bay watershed that is designated a Wetland of International Importance

Great Egg Harbor River

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Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge