Schiff Nature Preserve

Nature preserve in Morris County, New Jersey

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Schiff Nature Preserve

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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 km2)
Operated by| Schiff Natural Lands Trust
Website| www.schiffnaturepreserve.org

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.[1] Historically known as the Brookrace Estate, it was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in 1995.[2]

## Facilities

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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

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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.

sign for a native plant garden at the Schiff Nature Preserve

## History

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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.[citation needed] Many artifacts were recovered during the excavation, and the cellar hole was reconstructed and is now a trailside attraction.[citation needed]

## References

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1. ^ "Schiff Nature Preserve". Schiff Natural Lands Trust.
2. ^ "Brookrace Estate". Historic American Buildings Survey. 1995.

## External links

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* 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

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Nature centers in New Jersey

Atlantic County|

* Warren E. Fox Nature Center

Bergen County|

* Closter Nature Center
* Demarest Nature Center
* Flat Rock Brook Nature Center
* James A. McFaul Environmental Center
* Lorrimer Sanctuary
* Meadowlands Environment Center
* Ridgefield Nature Center
* Tenafly Nature Center

Burlington County|

* Palmyra Cove Nature Park
* Paws Farm Nature Center
* Rancocas Nature Center
* Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
* Fernbrook Farms Environmental Education Center

Cape May County|

* Belleplain State Forest
* Cape May Bird Observatory
* Nature Center of Cape May
* Wetlands Institute

Essex County|

* Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary
* Essex County Environmental Center
* Greater Newark Conservancy

Gloucester County|

* Scotland Run Park Nature Center

Hudson County|

* Liberty State Park Nature Center

Hunterdon County|

* Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary

Mercer County|

* Lawrence Nature Center
* The Watershed Institute
* Washington Crossing State Park

Middlesex County|

* Plainsboro Preserve

Monmouth County|

* Allaire State Park
* Huber Woods Environmental Center
* Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center
* Poricy Park Nature Center

Morris County|

* Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center
* Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
* Elizabeth D. Kay Environmental Center
* Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area
* Schiff Nature Preserve
* Willowwood Arboretum

Ocean County|

* Cooper Environmental Center - Cattus Island Park
* Forest Resource Education Center
* Island Beach State Park
* Jakes Branch County Park
* Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education
* Wells Mills Nature Center

Passaic County|

* Rifle Camp Park

Somerset County|

* Duke Farms
* Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
* Somerset County Environmental Education Center

Union County|

* Reeves-Reed Arboretum
* Trailside Nature & Science Center - Watchung Reservation

Warren County|

* Merrill Creek Reservoir

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