Learning About Us

The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, where more than 43,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats are actively protected and managed for migratory birds. Forsythe is one of more than 500 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is a network of lands and waters managed specifically for the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat and represents the most comprehensive wildlife resource management program in the world. Units of the system stretch across the United States from northern Alaska to the Florida Keys, and include small islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. The character of the Refuges is as diverse as the nation itself. Check out the electronic copy of our general brochure (June 2007) with new maps and other updated information.

The headquarters office is located at

Great Creek Road
Oceanville, NJ 08231
Phone: (609) 652-1665
Fax: (609) 652-1474

E-mail: forsythe@fws.gov

Mailing Address

Box 72, Great Creek Road

Oceanville, NJ 08231

Volunteer Office (Sandy Perchetti, Volunteer Coordinator)

Lily Lake Road

Oceanville, NJ 08231

Phone: (609) 748-1535

Fax: (609)748-2731

E. B. Forsythe Refuge Home Page

HISTORY

Forsythe Refuge's Brigantine and Barnegat Divisions were originally two distinct refuges, 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 purposes of Forsythe Refuge are:

For lands acquired under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §715-715r), as amended,

"...for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds...."(16 U.S.C. §715d);

"...the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources...." Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. §742F(a)(4));

"...the conservation of the wetlands of the Nation in order to maintain the public benefits they provide and to help fulfill international obligations (regarding migratory birds)…Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. §3901(b), 100 Stat. 3583);

"...to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness." The Wilderness Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 890:16 U.S.C. 1121 (note), 1131-1136).

The refuge's location in one of the Atlantic Flyway's most active flight paths makes it an important link in the vast network of national wildlife refuges administered nationwide by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 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. Forsythe Refuge is a part of the Hudson River/New York Bight Ecosystem and The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. In 1986 it was designated a Wetland of International Importance under The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance--otherwise known as the Ramsar Convention.

A regional site of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

WHSRN grows to 49 sites protecting critical shorebird habitat across the Americas.

The WHSRN Council gave final approval to the designation of three new regional sites to join the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) during its regular meeting in Washington, D.C. March 18, 2001. The addition of these sites brings an additional 451,000 acres (182,500 hectares) into the network that now includes over 20 million acres (8 million hectares) of shorebird habitat. The really good news is that 21

new partners from these sites expand our coalition for hemispheric conservation to a total of 187 partners!

Background: As secretariat for the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN), Manomet is guiding efforts to protect important wetland sites that these international migrants depend upon. There are now 46 sites in the Network, totaling over 20 million acres throughout North and South America. Many of the WHSRN sites face serious habitat degradation threats from incompatible uses, such as poorly planned commercial pig farming, urban development, or horseshoe crab harvesting.

More sites need to be added to the Network. With only seven sites from South America, key areas where millions of shorebirds winter are not protected. In the next two years, Dr. Jim Corven and the WHSRN staff will put special attention into adding new sites from South America and Mexico. We also will be working to increase technical skills at all sites to improve habitat management, monitor threatened populations, and reach out to local communities and foster international recognition and support of each site's importance.

With the Network approaching its 15th year in 2001, the Manomet staff has established an extensive web of collaborations to help sites and secure the Network at the local level. We offer training courses, on‑site technical assistance, international data gathering systems and expert networks to support community capabilities. The WHSRN Council, consisting of governmental, conservation, research, education and site representatives from many American countries, meets twice yearly to advise and assist on all WHSRN elements.

Hours of Operation

The refuge's headquarters is located at its Brigantine Division on the mainland, at Oceanville, New Jersey. From Route 9 in Oceanville, visitors may enter the refuge via Great Creek Road, which ends at our entry gate. Map. Headquarters is open weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Wildlife Drive and trails are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. At various times during the year we must close the Wildlife Drive and trails to the public to carry out wildlife management plans, so it is best to check our web site or call prior to visiting. Organized groups are requested to contact the refuge to register their visits in advance.

We hope you enjoy your tour of the refuge .

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

To use Mapquest.com for the Oceanville sites, use this link

REFUGE HEADQUARTERS, WILDLIFE DRIVE, LEED’S ECO TRAIL, AKER’S TRAIL, JEN’S TRAIL, EXPERIMENTAL POND OVERLOOK AND FRIEND’S GIFT SHOP. (Brigantine Division)

Directions to Refuge Headquarters

From the East

Take US Route 30 (White Horse Pike) west to Route 157. Turn right onto Route 157 North. This will merge onto Route 9 North. Follow Route 9 to Great Creek Road. Turn right and follow road to end.

From the West

Take US Route 30 (White Horse Pike) east to Pomona. At traffic light near Pomona Shopping Plaza and The Assumption Church turn left onto Route 575 (Pomona Road). Go to next traffic light and turn right onto Jimmie Leeds Road (Route 633 East). Follow this road past Stockton College and Atlantic City Medical Center Mainland Division. Go past the traffic light for the Garden State Parkway. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Great Creek Road. Continue 3 miles to Route 9. Cross Route 9 and proceed on Great Creek Road to end.

From Philadelphia and Camden areas

Take Atlantic City Expressway east to Exit 12. Turn left (north) onto Route 575 (Pomona Road). Go to the third traffic light and turn right onto Jimmie Leeds Road (Route 633 East). Follow this road past Stockton College and Atlantic City Medical Center Mainland Division. Go past the traffic light for the Garden State Parkway. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Great Creek Road. Continue 3 miles to Route 9. Cross Route 9 and proceed on Great Creek Road to end.

From the South

Take Garden State Parkway north to Atlantic City Service Area (signs are for Roy Rogers, food, fuel), mile marker 41. Follow the sign and take the service road to Jimmie Leeds Road (Route 633 East). Turn right onto Jimmie Leeds Road. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Great Creek Road. Continue 3 miles to Route 9. Cross Route 9 and proceed on Great Creek Road to end.

From the North

Take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 48 which will lead you to Route 9 South. Continue south past Smithville. At the traffic light in Oceanville, (Great Creek Road), turn left and continue to end.

SCOTT’S LANDING BOAT LAUNCH

From the East

Take US Route 30 (White Horse Pike) west to Route 157. Turn right onto Route 157 North. This will merge onto Route 9 North. Continue north on Route 9 to Moss Mill Road in Smithville. Turn right and follow to brown and white sign for Scott’s Landing on the right hand side.

From the West

Take US Route 30 (White Horse Pike) east to Pomona. At traffic light near Pomona Shopping Plaza and The Assumption Church turn left onto Route 575 (Pomona Road). Go to next traffic light and turn right onto Jimmie Leeds Road (Route 633 East). Follow this road past Stockton College and Atlantic City Medical Center Mainland Division. Go past the traffic light for the Garden State Parkway. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Great Creek Road. Continue 3 miles to Route 9. Turn left at the traffic light and continue north on Route 9 to Moss Mill Road in Smithville. Turn right and follow to brown and white sign for Scott’s Landing on the right hand side.

From Philadelphia and Camden areas

Take Atlantic City Expressway east to Exit 12. Turn left (north) onto Route 575 (Pomona Road). Go to the third traffic light and turn right onto Jimmie Leeds Road (Route 633 East). Follow this road past Stockton College and Atlantic City Medical Center Mainland Division. Go past the traffic light for the Garden State Parkway. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Great Creek Road. Continue 3 miles to Route 9. Turn left at the traffic light and continue north on Route 9 to Moss Mill Road in Smithville. Turn right and follow to brown and white sign for Scott’s Landing on the right hand side.

From the South

Take Garden State Parkway north to Atlantic City Service Area (signs are for Roy Rogers, food, fuel), mile marker 41. Follow the sign and take the service road to Jimmie Leeds Road (Route 633 East). Turn right onto Jimmie Leeds Road. At the next traffic light, turn left onto Great Creek Road. Continue 3 miles to Route 9. Turn left at the traffic light and continue north on Route 9 to Moss Mill Road in Smithville. Turn right and follow to brown and white sign for Scott’s Landing on the right hand side.

From the North

Take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 48 which will lead you to Route 9 South. Turn left at the first traffic light in Smithville (Moss Mill Road). Follow to brown and white sign for Scott’s Landing on the right hand side.

Locations of interest using the Garden State Parkway Exit 90 north-bound or Exit 88 south-bound

Reedy Creek Unit/ deCamp Wildlife Trail

From the north, take Exit 88 to Route 70 east. Turn right on Cedar Bridge Avenue (Route 528). This road will turn into Mantoloking Road. Trail is located at Mantoloking and Adamston Roads.

Location of interest using the Garden State Parkway Exit 74 East (Lacey Road)

Eno’s Pond

Follow Lacey Road east to Eno’s Pond County Park. Accessible, self-guided nature trail and wildlife observation area is located adjacent to the County Park.

Locations of interest using the Garden State Parkway Exit 63 East (Route 72)

THE REFUGE OFFICE (Barnegat Division)

Follow Route 72 to Route 9 north. Take Route 9 north to Lower Shore Road. Turn left. At second fork, turn right (Collinstown Road). Continue on road. Office is on the right side. Call before visiting the refuge office.

Barnegat Observation Platform

Follow Route 72 to Route 9 north. Take Route 9 north to Bay Shore Drive. Turn left. Platform is located between Ridgeway and Edison Avenues.

Bridge to Nowhere Fishing Area

Follow Route 72 to Route 9 north. Take Rt. 9 north to Stafford Avenue. Turn right. Fishing area is at the end of the road.

Cedar Run Fishing Area

Follow Route 72 to Route 9 south. Take Route 9 south to Dock Road in Cedar Run. Turn left. Fishing area is located

Locations of interest using the Garden State Parkway Exit 58 East (Route 539)

Parker Run Fishing Area

Follow Route 539 to Route 9 north. Take Rt. 9 north to Dock Road in Parkertown. Turn right. Fishing area is located on right side.

Graveling Point Fishing and Observation Area

Follow Route 539 to Route 9 south. Take Rt. 9 South to Great Bay Blvd. Turn left at monument. Turn right onto Radio Road. Fishing and observation area is located at the end of the road.

E. B. FORSYTHE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MAPS

FIRE

Prescribed Burns

Many of the refuges in the Refuge System use prescribed fire to achieve desired habitat conditions. At Forsythe we use fire to control Phragmites. This plant grows so fast and densely that it chokes off the productivity of marshes. The burning is done to improve the quality of wildlife habitats. Fire removes dry, dead plant matter that has built up over the years, opening up space for new plant growth and providing better cover and food for wildlife. The burn allows nutrients locked up in the dried plants to be returned to the soil to be used by new plants. It also provides better viewing of the impoundments for birders. Six years ago the dikes were covered with Phragmites. Also, the islands benefit because more wetland species are able to use the islands.

The window of time prescribed burning is permitted is December through March. The burning is concluded before many species begin nesting. Typically, wildlife leave areas being burned as soon as they sense the fire. The signals wildlife respond to include: sight, sound, smell and increased temperature. Wildlife benefits of prescribed burns are observed immediately after the fire. Predators such as northern harriers, great blue herons and red foxes are the first to reap the benefits as prey species such as meadow voles, snakes and frogs move across a burned area with no concealing cover. Within days, new plant growth begins to emerge. Within weeks, little or no sign of the fire remains and herbivores dine on tender young plants. The long term benefit of the improved habitat far outweighs any individual sacrifice caused by the fire.

A prescribed burn is a managed fire conducted under a special set of guidelines for weather and safety, called a prescription, designed prior to the burn. Specific weather and site conditions are required to control the extent and intensity of the fire as well as manage smoke. If these conditions are not present, the burn will not take place. Burns are conducted by refuge staff trained and certified in fire fighting. Local fire departments, law enforcement agencies and state natural resource offices are informed of the burn and remain on stand-by.

STAFF

If you have any questions for a staff member, please send your e-mail to forsythe@fws.gov. Your message will be forwarded to the appropriate staff member.

Updated April 11, 2008

E. B. Forsythe NWR