Pine Barrens, Nature reserve in New Jersey, US.
The Pine Barrens is a nature reserve in New Jersey encompassing more than a million acres of forest on sandy, acidic soil. Pitch pines and rare orchids thrive in these distinctive conditions, supported by a web of waterways and wetlands.
The Lenape people managed these lands for thousands of years using controlled fires that shaped the forest. European settlers later introduced iron furnaces and glass factories that altered the landscape and way of life in the region.
Abandoned villages like Ong's Hat and Harrisville sit hidden in the forest as reminders of communities that once thrived here. These forgotten places show how people adapted their lives to this sandy landscape and made use of its resources.
Marked hiking trails run through Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Wharton State Forest, and Bass River State Forest, offering routes for different skill levels. Wear sturdy shoes as the sandy ground can be soft or muddy depending on recent rainfall.
Some pine species here only release their seeds when exposed to intense heat, making fire essential for forest renewal. This adaptation reveals how plants have evolved over centuries to depend on this natural cycle.
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