Picture Stockton... exploring the Pinelands

Pinelands Summer Short Course

Hammonton, N.J. - Visitors came from around the state to 91视频's Kramer Hall in Hammonton, the Blueberry Capital of the World, to explore the Pinelands on nature trails, in kayaks, through historical publications and by diving into environmental topics from waste management to rare orchids. 

Stockton Continuing Studies & Adult Education and the hosted the 7th annual Pinelands Summer Short Course on June 23. 

Photo story by Susan Allen 

 

Pinelands Shortr Course

A rainy forecast, that turned out to be accurate, didn't stop participants from coming out to learn and explore. 

 

 

Pinelands Shortr Course

Tom Kinsella, professor of Literature and director of the South Jersey Culture and History Center, works with 91视频 and the community to find and preserve stories from our past. Students help to publish books and produce documentary films that take readers and viewers back in time to visit historical South Jersey. Sometimes the stories come from primary sources once hidden in basements and attics. A participant looks through one of the books on display. 

 

Pinelands Shortr Course

Kinsella works closely with Heather Perez, of the Stockton Library's , who he calls "the beating heart of the project." There are currently 107 collections that contain diaries, oral histories, records, photographs, congressional records, maps and other documents that describe farming communities, the Pine Barrens, Stockton history, archaeology and natural history. Kinsella talked about some of the books and brought a variety of the publications to share. 

 

Pinelands Shortr Course

A bus ride took participants down a dirt road, once a stagecoach road, to Goshen Pond that connects to the Mullica River. 

 

Pinelands Shortr Course

After a paddling lesson on the beach, the kayakers launched into their nature tour. 

 

lily pad

American white water lily pads and blooms covered the surface of the pond offering sunbathing opportunities to turtles and frogs. 

 

Pinelands Shortr Course

Stockton alumna Allison Hartman, of Pinelands Adventures, talked about the flora and fauna of the pond as paddlers observed it up close. 

 

cedar waxwing

91视频 a dozen cedar waxwings fluttered through the foliage in search of berries. The feasting birds allowed the kayakers to slowly float in for photo ops. 

 

Pinelands Shortr Course

The sun popped out of the clouds after a light rain prompted a chorus of carpenter frogs. 

 

green heron

A stealthy green heron lurks in the lilies with eyes honing in on an unsuspecting frog. The hunting heron made another appearance at the end of the tour giving everyone a second chance to observe its colorful plumage and sneaky mannerisms.  

 

Pinelands Shortr Course

Chinonye Uzowuru, of Willingboro, N.J., paddled a kayak for the first time in her life and is excited to do it again. The IT intern for the Pinelands Commission was most impressed by the green heron sighting, which even surprised the guides who hadn't seen one in a long time. 

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