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History

In 1978, the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve became the first National Reserve in the United States, a 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha) region of South Jersey that spans seven counties, including Cape May. The act, and additional legislation from the New Jersey legislature, created the Pinelands Commission, which manages the growth in the Pine Barrens, and coordinates federal, state, and local governments. Each county appoints a commissioner, and since January 2018, Woodbine mayor William Pikolycky has represented the county. The New Jersey governor also appoints a commissioner from each county. In March 2015, then-governor Chris Christie appointed Ocean City resident and future city councilman Bob Barr.

In 1988, New Jersey's senators Frank Lautenberg and Bill Bradley co-sponsored legislation to establish the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. This would promote awareness and protection of nearly 300 mi (480 km) of New Jersey coastline. Congress approved the bill, and the trail fell under the purview of the National Park Service until 2011.

Atlantic County

The oldest WMA in the state is the Lester G. MacNamara WMA, previously known as Tuckahoe WMA, which was established in 1933. It covers 17,519 acres (7,090 ha) in four municipalities in Atlantic and Cape May counties – Corbin City, Egg Harbor Township, Estell Manor, and Upper Township. The WMA supports migratory birds in wetlands along the Great Egg Harbor and Tuckahoe rivers. From 1945 to 1948, Naval Air Station Atlantic City used parts of the WMA for target practice and bombing. The United States Army Corps of Engineers notes the potential that there could still be explosives in the area. In 1949, biologist Lester G. MacNamara designed six impoundments – raised roads that flooded areas to support bird habitat. Using a grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the NJDEP spent $1 million to refurbish the nearly 70 year-old structures. In May 2018, the impoundments were temporarily drained as repairs were made.

Cape May County

Over half of the lands in Cape May County are protected. The county is located at the southern tip of New Jersey, and supports millions of migratory birds each year.

Beaver Swamp WMA spreads 2,930.69 acres (1,186.01 ha) across Dennis, Middle, and Maurice River townships. The larger area of the WMA is bounded largely by County Route 657 to the southwest, NJ 83 to the north, and Swainton-Goshen Road to the east. There as an additional tract of land farther north that is part of the Beaver Swamp WMA, which is adjacent to Cape May NWR. Beaver Swamp WMA is part of a strip of continuous forest and wetlands corridor in the center of the Cape May Peninsula. Within the WMA is the freshwater Clint Mill Pond, which was fed by a beaver dam. The dam was restored in 1992 to secure the water supply to local animal species, including the Bald eagle, Barred owl, and 18 other bird species.