Creation of New Jersey's first state forest topic of 'Lectures at the Lake' series Aug. 23

Bass River State Forest’s 2014 “Lectures at the Lake” series will continue Saturday, Aug. 23, with a free program on the history of the forest, which was the first acquired by the state of New Jersey for public recreation, water conservation and wildlife and timber management. Park Superintendent Cynthia Coritz will lead the discussion at the Lake Absegami beach breezeway, located at 762 Stage Rd. in Bass River Township, at 8 p.m.

Photo via West Jersey History
Swimming in Lake Absegami is allowed
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

A photo history of the creation of the forest, which was established in 1905, will cover three chapters in the life of the forest: why and how it was created, how the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1942 affected the forest and what it currently offers to the public.

“Other areas in the New Jersey State Park System have history that goes back prior to 1905, but there were no other state parks, state forests, or recreation areas before Bass River State Forest was established,” said Coritz. “We all love our state parks, forests and recreation areas and may know their histories, but the history of the whole park system began here with about 870 acres purchased from the Mathis family in 1905.”

One of her favorite parts of the discussion, Coritz said, is that Gifford Pinchot, the forester hired to survey South Jersey and make recommendations on what to do with the land that had been burned down and cut over, went on to become “the father of forestry,” head of the U.S. Forest Service and governor of Pennsylvania. Coritz said she also loves sharing information about the importance of the Civilian Conservation Corps-era and how hard those men worked, despite receiving “very little recognition.”

Insect repellent, a flashlight and something to sit on are recommended for the event. The venue is ADA accessible. Donations to the forest’s Interpretive Program are welcome.

For more information, call the forest office at 609-296-1114 or visit njparksandforests.org.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.