 | This article reads like a press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage. Please help improve this article and add independent sources. (January 2023) |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Schiff Nature Preserve" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Schiff Nature Preserve | |
|---|---|
  Show map of Morris County, New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Show map of the United States | |
| Location | 339 Pleasant Valley Road Mendham, New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 40°45′25″N 74°37′41″W / 40.75694°N 74.62806°W / 40.75694; -74.62806 |
| Area | 354 acres (1.43 km) |
| Operated by | Schiff Natural Lands Trust |
| Website | www |
Schiff Nature Preserve is a 780-acre nature preserve located in Mendham Township and Mendham Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. The property is the main site of the Schiff Natural Lands Trust, which also owns additional land throughout the area and holds about 50 acres in conservation easements. Historically known as the Brookrace Estate, it was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in 1995.
Facilities
The Preserve is open from dawn to dusk year-round and offers 14 miles of public access hiking trails. It also includes a nature center that offers environmental education programs including: guided hikes, programs for scout troops, school field trips, homeschoolers and more. The Nature Center, which includes a small library of field guides and maps, is staffed by volunteers.
Invasive species control
Several summer programs offer opportunities for teenagers to learn about local invasives and to help with eradication. Species of special concern include Devil's Walkingstick, Chinese bushclover, and Tree of Heaven. Schiff is also attempting to reduce the local population of White-tailed deer in order to help restore the preserve's local flora.
History
The preserve occupies the land that was once owned by the Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation. A recent archaeological excavation discovered a 19th-century cellar hole along the Colonial Road on the preserve. Many artifacts were recovered during the excavation, and the cellar hole was reconstructed and is now a trailside attraction.
References
- "Schiff Nature Preserve". Schiff Natural Lands Trust.
- "Brookrace Estate". Historic American Buildings Survey. 1995.
External links
Media related to Schiff Nature Preserve at Wikimedia Commons- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. NJ-1216, "Brookrace Estate, Bounded to north by Roxiticus Road, west by Union School House Road, south by Pleasant Valley Road, & east by private lands, Morristown, Morris County, NJ", 3 photos, 28 data pages
- Schiff Nature Preserve website
This article related to a protected area in New Jersey is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |
 | This Morris County, New Jersey state location article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |