Middle Township in Stone Harbor in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Native Plant Pollinator Garden

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 3, 2025

1. Native Plant Pollinator Garden Marker

Inscription.

Native Plant Pollinator Garden. . Seven Mile Island was once a Juniper Forest solely occupied by the Native American Leni Lenape Tribe. Over the course of nearly two hundred years, the island has developed into what is now known as Avalon and Stone Harbor. Most of the natural landscape has disappeared, having been transformed into homes with pools and non-native gardens. The loss of habitat of vital, endemic flora and fauna is one result of such massive change. The time has come to think toward the future health of our Island and how we can truly be the Seashore at its Best for all who dwell here.

You are standing at the edge of a Native Plant Demonstration Garden, a joint venture between the Borough, its Public Works Department, the Garden Club, and the Stone Harbor Property Owners' Association. Using indigenous plants in coastal environments is crucial for a variety of reasons:

Conserving Water. Excessive water use in coastal areas can lead to something called saltwater intrusion. We have at freshwater aquifer underneath Seven Mile Island. As this resource is depleted, saltwater moves in to take its place. This is damaging for several reasons, including the contamination of our drinking water supply and harm to local ecosystems.
Providing a habitat for our island creatures. Countless species of birds, crabs, fish, bees, and insects call this place home. Wildflowers and native plants provide essential nectar and shelter for an amazingly diverse population that help to beautify and preserve our island home.
Reducing the need for pest control and fertilizers. A healthy garden with the appropriate plant species and an abundance of pollinators will support natural beneficial insects and will flourish without harmful chemicals that ultimately end up in the air we breathe as well as our water supply.

Enjoy the variety on display here and think about how you can add these types of flora in your own coastal garden, and remember it's important to note:
'First year, they are sleepers,
Second Year, they are creepers,
Third Year, they are Leapers!" .

Seven Mile Island was once a Juniper Forest solely occupied by the Native American Leni Lenape Tribe. Over the course of nearly two hundred years, the island has developed into what is now known as Avalon and Stone Harbor. Most of the natural landscape has disappeared, having been transformed into homes with pools and non-native gardens. The loss of habitat of vital, endemic flora and fauna is one result of such massive change. The time has come to think toward the future health of our Island and how we can truly be the Seashore at its Best for all who dwell here.

You are standing at the edge of a Native Plant Demonstration Garden, a joint venture between the Borough, its Public Works Department, the Garden Club, and the Stone Harbor Property Owners' Association. Using indigenous plants in coastal environments is crucial for a variety of reasons:

Conserving Water. Excessive water use in coastal areas can lead to something called saltwater intrusion. We have at freshwater aquifer underneath Seven Mile Island. As this resource is depleted, saltwater moves in to take its place. This is damaging for several reasons, including the contamination of our drinking water supply and harm to local ecosystems.
Providing a habitat for our island creatures. Countless species of birds, crabs, fish, bees, and insects call this place home. Wildflowers and native plants provide essential nectar and shelter for an amazingly diverse population that help to beautify and preserve our island home.
Reducing the need for pest control and fertilizers. A healthy garden with the appropriate plant species and an abundance of pollinators will support natural beneficial insects and will flourish without harmful chemicals that ultimately end up in the air we breathe as well as our water supply.

Enjoy

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the variety on display here and think about how you can add these types of flora in your own coastal garden, and remember it's important to note:
'First year, they are sleepers,
Second Year, they are creepers,
Third Year, they are Leapers!"

Erected by Stone Harbor Property Owners Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 39° 2.661′ N, 74° 45.942′ W. Marker is in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is in Middle Township. It is on 2nd Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10917 2nd Ave, Stone Harbor NJ 08247, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and

Native Plant Pollinator Garden Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 3, 2025

2. Native Plant Pollinator Garden Marker - wide view

also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to Holly Path at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary (approx. 0.2 miles away); Egret Espy (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary (approx. ¼ mile away); Avalon Home and Land Owner Assoc. Honors All Veterans (approx. 0.4 miles away); In Honor of our Veterans (approx. 0.4 miles away); U.S. Life Saving Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); God Bless America (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stephen C. Ludlam Post 331 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stone Harbor.

More about this marker. While this marker is primarily about native gardening techniques, it qualifies as a history marker because it includes some information about the natural state of the island before modern construction, as well as the native peoples who lived here.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.