Hancocks Bridge in Salem County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Waving Acres of Grass
Salt Marshes & Meadows
— Coastal Habitats —
Nearly half of New Jersey’s 245,000 acres of salt marsh is found along the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic coast of Cape May and Atlantic Counties. Salt marshes may appear as only waving acres of grass, but are in fact, a critical link in the coastal food chain – providing vital nutrients for crabs and other crustaceans, for nearly all of New Jersey’s coastal fish, and for huge flocks of shorebirds on their spring and fall migrations.
Erected by State of New Jersey – Division of Parks & Forestry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine.
Location. 39° 30.526′ N, 75° 27.646′ W. Marker is in Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey, in Salem County. Marker is at the intersection of Poplar Street (County Route 606) and Locust Island Road, on the right when traveling south on Poplar Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hancocks Bridge NJ 08038, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Alloway Creek Watershed (here, next to this marker); Old Bridges at this Location (a few steps from this marker); Patriots Massacred in the Hancock House (within shouting distance of this marker); Swedish Cabin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Patterned Brick Houses (about 400 feet away); Hancock House (about 400 feet away); Hancock House Massacre (about 500 feet away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hancocks Bridge.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a photo by Jane M. Galetto, of a salt marsh. It has a caption of “Salt marshes are dominated by a few remarkable species of grasses that have adapted to having their roots submerged twice daily in salty water and then being exposed to the full drying effects of the sun.”
Next to this is a map of Southern New Jersey with the Salt Marshes shown in green. The map composition was by James Dunn, NJ Division of Parks & Forestry.
The right side of the marker contains pictures of local plants and animals, including the Marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris), Snowy egret (Egretta thula), “Greenhead” or horse fly ( Tabanus nigrovitatus), Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), Common reed (Phragmites australis), Northern diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), and Spike grass (Distichlis spicata). This has a caption of “All of these plants and animals are found in Southern New Jersey’s tidal wetlands (a mix of both fresh and salt water). Some however, are unable to tolerate the harsh growing conditions of the salt marshes.”
Also see . . . New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. National Park Service website. (Submitted on July 2, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 495 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.