Ecotourism
in Ocean
County
If you’ve ever enjoyed the simple
pleasures of collecting shells
on a quiet beach or crabbing
off a dock with a scoop net,
you’re an ecotourism natural.
Ecotourism focuses on activities
that have low or no impact on
the environment, helps educate
participants and encourages them
to be proactive about protecting
our natural resources. Heightened
environmental awareness and the
growing trend to “go green” have
more and more shore residents and
visitors looking for new recreation
and vacation experiences that
embrace ecotourism.
Home to habitats that range from
sandy beaches to dynamic salt
marshes to dense forests and all
the cultural treasures nestled within
its borders, Ocean County offers
opportunities for everyone to enjoy
unique eco-experiences. These
can involve birding, hiking, biking,
fishing, whale watching, meeting
marine life up-close in an aquarium,
touring lighthouses, harbors and
historic cultural landmarks and
dozens of other activities that take
people beyond the beaten beach
path. With 44 miles of Atlantic Ocean
coastline and 120 maritime-rich
square miles that include Barnegat
Bay and the northernmost entry
point of the famous Pine Barrens,
Ocean County is a natural choice for
exploring more of the shore.
20 www.sparkexploreocean.com
Photo courtesy of Ocean County Parks and Recreation
Parks and Reserves
Ocean County offers access to acres of natural recreational destinations that
provide eco-friendly opportunities for outdoor adventure. Municipal parks,
interpretive trails, national reserves, local preserves, boardwalk biking and
walking paths along the oceans and bays—the options are endless.
Island Beach State Park
state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html
There’s no doubt that Island Beach State Park is the epicenter for ecotourism
activities in Ocean County. This is New Jersey’s last significant remnant of a
pristine barrier island ecosystem, and it remains almost untouched since Henry
Hudson first described New Jersey’s coast in 1609. The park offers naturalistconducted
activities, an interpretive center, the Emily Decamp Herbarium, a
nature center, self-guided trails, guided kayak tours through the Sedge Islands,
birding (the state’s largest osprey colony, peregrine falcons, wading birds and
shorebirds perch here), canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and picnicking on
the beach. A “beach to bay” boardwalk trail provides a unique transect of a
barrier island.
Barnegat National Wildlife Refuge
www.stateparks.com/barnegat_national_wildlife_refuge_in_new_jersey.html
This section of the E. B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge offers wildlife
observation and photography, fresh- and saltwater fishing and crabbing. Located
in one of the Atlantic Flyway’s most active flight paths, this is a favorite perch for
birding enthusiasts and an important link in the vast network of national wildlife
refuges administered nationwide by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve
www.jcnerr.org
The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC NERR) is
one of 28 national estuarine reserves created to promote the responsible use
and management of the nation’s estuaries through a cooperative program that
combines research, education and stewardship. The Reserve houses exhibits,
conducts special tours and hands-on activities and offers something for everyone
with a natural interest in learning more about the environment.
/www.sparkexploreocean.com
/island.html
/barnegat_national_wildlife_refuge_in_new_jersey.html
/www.jcnerr.org
