18 School House Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Phone: (609) 926-4093
www.ehtenvironment.org/arboretum.html
Egg Harbor Township
From John F. Kennedy Park, turn Right onto Broadway. After 0.2 miles turn sharp Left onto Mays Landing Road. After 4 miles, turn Right onto School House Road. After 0.9 miles turn left onto Zion Road, then quick Right to continue on School House Road. After 0.2 miles, turn Right into the parking area for Egg Harbor Township Arboretum. DIRECTIONS FROM NEAREST HIGHWAY: From the intersection of Route 40 and Route 50 in May?s Landing, continue East on Route 40/Harding Highway. After 0.4 miles turn Right on Mays Landing Road/Route 617. Turn Right at the next traffic light to continue on Mays Landing Road/Route 559 South. Follow signs for Route 559 South. After 7 miles, Route 559 becomes Zion Road. Continue on Zion Road for 2.2 miles, and turn Left on School House Road. After 0.2 miles, turn Right into the parking area for Egg Harbor Township Arboretum. Map
There are four monitored Bluebird boxes on site. In addition, there is an observation deck that is handicapped accessible and offers a nice view of the gardens and the general landscape of the site. This is a nice place to sit and quietly observe wildlife behavior and activity.
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| Pearl Crescent | Lloyd Spitalnik |
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Although this site is just under 15 acres in size, it offers multiple habitats including wooded areas, wetlands, and meadows. It is bordered by a very large lake and extensive woods. The diversity in habitat provides a bevy of plants and animals that should not be missed. The Egg Harbor Township Environmental Commission teamed up with the Eagle Academy to clean this site up, provide parking, restrooms (restrooms open for special events only) and a small nature center. Additionally, they planted gardens that enhance the natural habitat.
The peacefulness and tranquility of the arboretum. Whether sitting on one of the garden benches or walking the nature trails through the different habitats, this site offers a quiet and natural experience that few places can match.
In the winter, the lake that borders the property of the arboretum can be one of the most interesting places to check for wildlife. Hooded Mergansers are regular and Common Merganser and Ring-necked Duck often visit this lake. When walking the nature trail around the perimeter of the site, look for Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatch among the resident birds.
In the early spring, listen for Southern grey treefrog at dusk. Eastern box turtles and green frogs can be seen during the day. Many birds are here in the spring, stopping on migration or to nest here. Eastern Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole and Tree Swallows can be found, as well as many warblers.
There are many butterflies here in the summer including monarch, black swallowtail, Eastern tiger swallowtail, American lady, and pearl crescent. Check out the lake that borders the property for gulls and the occasional Spotted Sandpiper. Chimney Swifts are often seen over the arboretum, especially in the late afternoon and evening.
In the fall, watch for flocks of Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmouse as they often have other birds mixed in with them including nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Golden and Ruby Crowned Kinglet, and a variety of warblers. Check the lake for Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, and Hooded Merganser.
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