Lower Delaware, WMA 17

A "Green" Visitors Center for the Peek Preserve

In 1992, The Natural Lands Trust established the Peek Preserve on the banks of the federally-designated “wild & scenic” Maurice River with an initial purchase of 201 acres. Subsequent expansions have increased the Preserve’s size to 262 acres. Currently, the visitors center rests in the old Caretaker’s Residence and also serves as a small office space.  NLT must replace this building because it is deteriorating (the supporting framework has extensive termite damage) and the layout of this former residence does not accommodate the current use. The most cost effective alternative is to construct a new building nearby. The proposed project will demolish the existing structure and replace it with an innovative "green" passive solar design visitors center with an attached publicly-accessible observation deck and office space.

The Peek Preserve is located along a freshwater tidal section of the Maurice River which has perhaps the healthiest stand of wild rice along the river’s entire length. The wild rice has many freshwater plant associates, such as tickseed sunflower, smartweed, arrow arum, cattail, pickerel weed and yellow pond lily. Primarily due to the wealth of seeds that drop from these plants into the river mud, this area is one of the best areas to see wintering waterfowl, such as black ducks, teal and mallards, that sift the mud for these nutritious seeds. It is also a great area for viewing bald eagles, with two active nests within a mile of the preserve (one right across the river). Eagles are present year-round, since in this area they have a supply of fish in the summer months, and wounded, sick or unwary feeding and resting waterfowl during the winter.

An extensive trail and interpretive signage system – compliments of a National Park Service grant – has been established on the preserve. A handicapped-accessible restroom is open from dawn to dusk 7 days a week. A 160-foot-long boardwalk and observation platform have been constructed along the river’s edge a short hike from the field office. These improvements have helped make this preserve a destination for local school groups and wildlife enthusiasts.

The Peek Preserve’s upland and wetland acreage is a landscape severely impacted by humans for hundreds of years. But only trained eyes will notice most of the impact. A hundred acres of freshwater tidal wetlands, where a white cedar forest grew more than 300 years ago, was subsequently cut and diked to create rich bottomland farmland. Between 60 and 100 years ago the dikes were abandoned, the land reopened to freshwater tidal flow, and wild rice now grows where cattle once grazed and crops grew. The woodland areas have been cut repeatedly for firewood and construction lumber uses; some white cedar forest remains, but red maple is in most of the wet areas, and oaks, hickories and pines dominate the drier areas, covering at least five homestead and three barn silo foundations. The preserve’s dominant theme, when viewed through the prism of time, is of nature recovering from man’s axes, plows, excavations, mining, grazing, building and other disruptions.

Constructing a replacement visitors center and observation platform is yet another disruption, but this disruption – through interpretive displays and innovative construction – will highlight nature’s timeless power to evolve and recover.

Less than two miles from downtown Millville, and with its entrance road located on a major highway (Route 47) the new visitors center will provide an ideally-located meeting place and an unparalleled outdoor experience for the public. The Peek Preserve’s freshwater tidal wetlands, abandoned diked farmland now dominated by wild rice, white cedar and red maple swamps, pine barrens habitat and historical homestead sites (five have been located so far) tell a story of past human occupation and succession to a more pristine habitat for fauna and flora. The design of the visitors center will minimize the human component of the natural vs. human history theme; it will be both a functional facility and a “green” structure blending into its environment and utilizing passive solar, recycled components and similar conservation themes. The visitors center will be a model facility for homeowners, businesses and other nonprofit groups locating structures in sensitive and scenic natural environments.

Significant funding has already been secured to replace the existing building with a permanent visitors center that will also serve as a field office. The planned facility will provide storage for NLT’s fleet of 6 canoes and 12 kayaks, which are currently being used for trips on the Maurice River and other nearby waterways. A small conference room with a view of the river and a connected observation deck will facilitate small indoor and larger outdoor meetings and wildlife observation experiences.

The project is currently in the design stage. A contract has been signed with a local architect, Lawrence Merighi, who has long been involved with environmental projects in the area, and who donated his design services for the handicapped-accessible restroom constructed on the preserve three years ago. A preliminary design is expected to be completed by Late 2006, and construction is expected to begin in Spring 2007.

• National Park Service (NPS) – $35,000
• Cumberland County Improvement Authority (CCIA) – $32,000
• Private donor –$23,000
• NJDEP Green Acres Development Grant - $115,000
  

In addition to these significant contributions, Natural Lands Trust has committed $20,000 of its own resources to the project – not including significant staff time in overseeing and assisting with the construction effort. In addition, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River, a local nonprofit group involved in many watershed protection efforts, will providing in-kind services by assisting with the planning process.  NPS requires interpretation and education about the river’s resources; CCIA requires use of recycled materials and a reuse/waste reduction theme; and the private donor desires a focus on environmental education.

This significant partnership amounts to $115,500 of financial support in a project expected to cost $200,000.