Sinnickson Tract

Not yet available

The 77.73-acre Sinnickson Tract in Pennsville Township, Salem County, New Jersey lies within the Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge acquisition boundary and is almost entirely open field.  The property provides an important opportunity for restoring native early successional habitat in Salem County.

The property has been given the highest priority ranking for emergent wetland, wetland forest and upland forest habitat by the New Jersey Landscape Project.  Additionally it has been granted NJ highest status as grassland habitat. It is part of a large wetland complex that contains a bald eagle nest and is in a critical foraging area for two other nesting pairs. 

There are eight other state listed bird species that occur on the refuge, including the State-listed endangered vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), Upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), the threatened Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and the Grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum). This site has also been designated a NJ Natural Heritage priority site (B-4) due to the record of the only known state occurrence of a state endangered plant species, Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides).  Refuge staff will work with the state and the USFWS New Jersey Field Office to allow this plant to thrive if the land becomes part of the Refuge.  A habitat restoration plan that may also benefit several other rare plants that occur in similar habitats on the Refuge will be developed. 

Floating pennywort

Working with The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program,  approximately seventy five acres of the property will be seeded with native warm-season grasses and wildflowers to create important habitat for migratory birds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Environmental Contaminants Program will provide funds collected as natural resource damages, to purchase 450 pounds of warm-season grass seed.  Native warm-season grasses will include a mix of Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and potentially Eastern gamma grass (Tripsacum dactyloides).  These three species of grasses are tolerant of wet meadows and are tall, deep-rooted, clump forming, summer grasses that remain standing during the winter, reduce erosion, and provide excellent habitat for migratory birds. 

In addition The New Jersey Audubon Society Stewarsdhip Program will be providing funding  for herbaceous species seeds. Wildflower species  may include Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), Partridge pea (Chamaecrista nictitans), Joe Pye weeds (Eupatorium spp.), Asters (Aster spp.), Tickseeds (Coreopsis spp.), Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Burr marigolds (Bidens spp.), and Grass-leaved goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia). These are mostly easily established and hardy native species with known benefits to pollinators and migratory birds.  At a later date establishment of additional species may be warranted.

Click on map to view larger image

The Conservation Fund is seeking $1 million for this project.