As we were transitioning back from the COVID shutdown, PRSD had virtual, half-day Wednesdays. As I grew tired of "Google Meeting" with my Environmental Science & CP Biology classes from my kitchen counter, I decided to take a "Virtual Field Trip" to Moore's Meadows Farms, stream the tour from my phone, and have my ICS teacher Mrs. Karen Sofield record it for students who couldn't attend at the time I was streaming. The students loved it, and we spent the rest of the year going to various locations around southern New Jersey meeting scientists and learning more about the ecosystems in our area. Below are some of the highlights!
In the fall of 2022 a group of students asked me "Can you make a class like your virtual field trips??"
From this question Barrens to Bay was developed!
--JIM ARDOIN
12/16/20: The FIRST Virtual-Field Trip:
Moore's Meadow Blueberry & Cranberry Farm with Mr. Sam Moore. We took a tour of the flooded cranberry bogs and Mr. Moore described the process of sanding the bogs to increase productivity as sand was being delivered.
12/23/20:
Cedar Bonnet Island Trail (Forsythe Refuge)
We took a walk along the paths of Cedar Bonnet Island Trail that is part of the Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge. We discussed the goals of the Forsythe Refuge, the benefits of estuaries, habitat restoration, and a brief overview of Barnegat Bay.
1/6/21:
Great Bay Boulevard with Mr. Roland Hagan (RUMFS) & Dr. Elizabeth Lacey (Stockton University). After two consecutive Nor'easters, we examined a phenomenon of aquatic vegetation piling up on the north side beaches of Great Bay Boulevard. We identified the various types of vegetation and examined the organisms living in the nearly 2 feet of piled up aquatic vegetation.
2/10/21:
Lake Pohatcong & Tuckerton Creek
We took a walk along the shores of Lake Pohatcong to discuss its importance to the Tuckerton Creek Watershed along with the Mill Branch and Giffords Mill Branch streams that supply the lake with freshwater.
2/17/21:
Bass River State Forest
We were joined by Kean University student teacher Ms. Breanne Delprete to discuss the history of Bass River State Park and the unique ecosystems such as the Atlantic White Cedar swamps and Lake Absegami created by damming the Bass River.
2/24/21:
Wharton State Forest & Batsto
We discussed the industrial history of Batsto and its role in bog iron collection, as well as the purchase of the land by businessman Joseph Wharton and how it later became a state forest.
3/3/21:
JCNERR & Grassle Marsh Trail
We were joined by Ms. Kaitlin Gannon, Education specialist at the JCNERR for a tour of the Grassle Marsh Trail. As we walked the trail, Miss Gannon discussed the importance of estuaries, features of the woodland trail, and features of the pocket marsh overlook.
3/10/21:
Harrisville Pond & Ruins
We were joined by Pinelands Alumnus Mr. Joel Mott from the NJ Pinelands Commission and took a tour of Harrisville pond and the remnants of the industrial town of Harrisville. We also discussed bog iron as the stream was a beautiful shade of "rust orange"!
3/17/21:
The Pine Plains
We were joined by Mr. Joel Mott from the NJ Pinelands Commission and took a tour of the Pine Plains to discuss the dwarf Pitch Pine and Blackjack Oak forest and fire ecology. We also discovered Broom Crowberry, a disjunct species only found in the NJ Pine Barrens and not found again until Labrador.
3/24/21:
Franklin Parker Preserve
We were joined by Mr. Joel Mott from the NJ Pinelands Commission and took a tour of the Franklin Parker Preserve and discussed the ecology of the NJ Pine Barrens and the restoration projects involved in turning these cranberry bogs into the hemi-marsh it is today.
4/9/21:
The Ecology & Physics of Batsto
We were joined by Pinelands Physics teacher Dr. Jim Alletto, ICS teachers Mrs. Karen Sofield & Ms. Jackie Bischoff, and Wharton Park staff including Mr. Rob Auermuller & Mr. Chris Ford discussed the natural history of the Batsto River and lake before the conversation moved into the Batsto Saw Mill to explain how hydro power runs the mill
4/14/21:
Batsto Fire Tower
We were joined by Mr. Joel Mott from the NJ Pinelands Commission, Mr. Rob Auermuller from Wharton State Forest, and John Earlin Jr. of the NJ Forest Fire Service to discuss fire ecology, fire prevention, and fire suppression techniques in the Pine Barrens.
4/21/21:
Crosswicks Creek & Abbott Marshes
We left the NJ Pine Barrens to travel to Bordentown, NJ to explore the Crosswicks Creek that flows into the Delaware River with retired Biology teacher Mr. Charlie Fisher. We also discussed the archaeological history of the Abbott Marshes and Point Breeze, the newest addition to NJ Parks that was once owned by Joseph Bonaparte, King of Spain.
4/28/21:
Moore's Meadows--Blueberry Time!
Mr. Sam Moore took time out of his busy schedule to describe how blueberries form. how they're harvested, and the overhead involved in farming. Mr. Moore also gave a tour of the cranberry bogs to show the spring work that needs to be done once the bogs are drained.
5/12/21:
Wells Mills Park & Tale of 2 Cedars
We were joined by naturalist, and Pinelands "79er" Mr. Terry O'Leary to discuss the ecology of Wells Mills Park and its history of industrial logging of the Atlantic White Cedar.
5/19/21:
Whitesbog Historic Village
We were joined by Mr. Joel Mott from the NJ Pinelands Commission and took a tour of Whitesbog Historic Village to discuss Elizabeth's White's role in developing the modern cultivated blueberry. We also toured the cranberry bogs.
5/26/21:
Bass River State Forest Trails
We were joined by Mr. Joel Mott from the NJ Pinelands Commission in a search for spring blooms and wildlife along some deer trails through Bass River State Park complete with "hummock hopping" through the occasional swamp!
6/2/21:
Double Trouble State Forest
We were joined by Mr. Joel Mott from the NJ Pinelands Commission, and historian Mr. Andrew Anderson for a tour of Double Trouble to explore the Pine Barrens flora & fauna while learning of the history of cranberry farming at Double Trouble.
6/9/21:
Decoy Carving & Baymen's Heritage
We explored the history, skill, and art of decoy carving with award winning artist and Pinelands alumnus Mr. Mark Ford, and Mr. Terry O'Leary joined us to talk about other aspects of Baymen's heritage.
6/16/21:
Ballanger Creek Fire & Mill Branch Cedar Swamp
We stayed close to campus to take a quick look at the regrowth after the Ballinger Creek fire 8 days prior. We also took a close look at the undisturbed, Atlantic White Cedar-lined Mill Branch.