56-793: The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located in Morris County , New Jersey , United States. Established in 1960, it is among what has grown to be more than 550 refuges in the United States National Wildlife Refuge System . The first part of the Great Swamp that was assembled and donated for perpetual preservation by the park service of the federal government was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1966. More land has been added several times. Its eastern half (3,660 acres (14.8 km))
112-426: A male householder with no wife present and 29.8% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.17. About 21.4% of the county's population was under age 18, 8.5% was from age 18 to 24, 35.9% was from age 15 to 44, and 17.5% was age 65 or older. The median age
168-679: A meeting at the Essex House in Newark that had been organized to generate support for its construction. The JJSA activity was followed closely by an influential sister organization when (because of connections with Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Sr. , a major donor to and participant in JJSA) the North American Wildlife Foundation established its Great Swamp Committee in 1960. Between the two organizations and, in less than
224-604: A military officer of the American Revolution who lived in the community, William Alexander . The park is located immediately adjacent to the southwestern boundary of the refuge on the west side of the Passaic River. The park offers excellent hiking facilities that include trails, boardwalks, observation blinds, and naturalist exhibits displayed in its park office that are related to the swamp and its wildlife. The Morris County Park Commission manages parks in
280-511: A natural habitat, and later, on May 29, 1964, as the Secretary of the Interior , he oversaw its dedication as a refuge. The initial donation was 2,600 acres (11 km), which assured its protection as a refuge and the acquisition of additional lands continued. In 1960, Representative Peter Frelinghuysen, Jr. , whose estate was in the area targeted for development also joined the effort. By
336-565: A staggered basis, with either one or three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by County Administrator Deena Leary. In 2016, freeholders were paid $ 24,375 and the freeholder director was paid an annual salary of $ 25,350. As of 2024 , Morris County's Commissioners are (with terms for director and deputy director ending every December 31): No Democrat has been elected to county-wide office since 1973;
392-545: A year returned it to the English. Relations with the Native Americans and English improved for a while. European settlements began in the early 18th century while the area was known as Hunterdon County. Native Americans were still in the area at that time. Land was purchased from the Native Americans for various things such as blankets, shirts, rum, guns, knives, pots and gunpowder. European colonization began along
448-454: A year, enough property in the core of the swamp was quickly purchased, assembled, and donated to the federal government to qualify for perpetual protection as a National Wildlife Refuge. As the representative from Arizona , Stewart Udall immediately championed the efforts of these residents, whom he described as having mounted the greatest effort ever made by residents in America to protect
504-461: Is Morristown , in the southeast. The most populous place was Parsippany-Troy Hills Township , with 56,162 residents at the time of the 2020 census, while Rockaway Township covered 45.55 square miles (118.0 km ), the largest total area of any municipality. The county is part of the North Jersey region of the state. In 2015, the county had a per capita personal income of $ 86,582,
560-589: Is about 160 feet (49 m) in elevation, at Two Bridges, the confluence of the Passaic and Pompton rivers. The county is drained by several rivers. The Rockaway River drains 125 square miles (320 km ), of the northern section of the county. The Whippany River drains 69 square miles (180 km ) of the middle of the county. The South Branch of the Raritan River and the Black River drain
616-545: Is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. ( R , Westfield ). For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 11th congressional district is represented by Mikie Sherrill ( D , Montclair ). The 39 municipalities of Morris County are represented by four legislative districts. Nancy Munoz (R) Mike Inganamort (R) Aura K. Dunn (R) Jay Webber (R) The Morris Automated Information Network, which supplies Internet service to area libraries, turned down $ 10,000 per year in federal funding, starting in 2004. Acceptance of
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#1732772436995672-539: The 2020 census , the county was the state's tenth-most populous county , with a population of 509,285, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 17,009 (+3.5%) from the 2010 census count of 492,276, which in turn reflected an increase of 22,064 (+11.6%) from the 470,212 counted in the 2000 census , Morris County is part of the New York metropolitan area and is divided into 39 municipalities, with many commuter towns but no large cities. Its county seat
728-664: The Boonton Reservoir , also known as the Jersey City Reservoir. Morris has a humid continental climate ( Dfa / Dfb ) and the hardiness zones are 6a and 6b. In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Morristown have ranged from a low of 18 to 23 °F (−8 to −5 °C) in January to a high of 83 to 85 °F (28 to 29 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C)
784-734: The County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term). As of 2023 , they are: The County Prosecutor is Robert J. Carroll of Roseland , who was sworn into the position in October 2020 following the retirement of Frederic M. Knapp. Morris County is a part of Vicinage 10 of the New Jersey Superior Court (along with Sussex County ), which is seated at the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown ;
840-745: The Assignment Judge for Vicinage 10 is Stuart A. Minkowitz. Law enforcement at the county level is the Morris County Sheriff's Office. The Morris County Park Police was disbanded and merged into the Sheriff's Office on January 1, 2022. The County law enforcement organization includes the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. The 7th and 11th Congressional Districts cover the county. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 7th congressional district
896-708: The Atlantic coast moving inland. The first European settlement in the area today known as Morris County occurred in Pompton Plains by the Dutch in 1695. From 1710 to 1730, various iron mines and forges were established. The first was in Whippany in 1710 and then in Succasunna in 1713. By 1750, nearly all Native Americans had left New Jersey. This was due to land purchases from the Native Americans, diseases that
952-477: The Dutch for various goods. In return the Dutch gave the Native Americans metal pots, knives, guns, axes, and blankets. Trading with the Native Americans occurred until 1643 when a series of wars broke out between the Dutch and Native Americans. There were hostile relations between the Dutch and Native Americans between 1643 and 1660. This prevented colonization by the Dutch of the Morris County region which
1008-652: The Great Swamp 55-square-mile (140 km) watershed that gives rise to the Passaic River . The watershed touches ten modern communities, many of which were settled by European colonists long before the American Revolution. The land that would become the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established by an Act of Congress on November 3, 1960, after a multi-year legal battle that pitted local residents against Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials wishing to turn
1064-410: The Great Swamp into a major regional airport to supplement Newark Airport's ability to accommodate large jet aircraft. The Jersey Jetport Site Association was the first to form in opposition. Their efforts to prevent the development of an airport in the swamp became public knowledge on December 3, 1959, when four of its members ( Kafi Benz , Joan Kelly, Esty Weiss, and Betty White ) were expelled from
1120-608: The Native Americans contracted from Europeans, and due to starvation from the Little Ice Age , during which Native American corn crops failed and rivers froze, preventing fishing. Snow storms sent game into semi-hibernation or made them difficult to find. Nut crops such as oak, hickory, beech, walnut, chestnut and butternut failed some years due to late frosts in spring. Many of the Morris County Native Americans went to eastern Canada and others went to
1176-534: The Ohio Valley. The Walking Purchase in September 1737, prevented Native Americans from going to eastern Pennsylvania. At that time, European settlement grew swiftly as there was now land to be farmed and settled. Morris County was originally part of Burlington County which had been established in 1694. It then became part of Hunterdon County, which separated from Burlington County in 1714. Morris County
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#17327724369951232-664: The Wisconsin glacier covered Morris County, the ice sheet was about 300 metres (980 ft) deep. Due to debris from the glacier, the lake was unable to drain through the Watchung Mountains near Short Hills . Instead, it drained through Moggy Hollow at the southwestern end of the lake. But when the glacier melted and receded to the New York State line, the lake drained though the Little Falls area, as this
1288-602: The area from the south. Around the year 1000, the area of Morris County was inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans prior to the arrival of European settlers. They came from the Mississippi River area. They lived along the rivers, hunted game, and fished in addition to collecting plants and nuts. Henry Hudson explored the Hudson River area in 1609, and later the Dutch did surveys of
1344-460: The area. From 1611 to 1614, the Dutch established the colony of New Netherland , which claimed territory between the 40th and 45th parallel north , a zone which included northern New Jersey. Dutch forts were established along the Hudson River beginning in 1613. As the years went by, more forts were established to trade with Native Americans. The Native Americans traded furs and food with
1400-590: The county as having the 16th-highest per capita income of all 3,113 counties in the United States (and the second highest in New Jersey) as of 2009. The county ranked third in the New York metropolitan area in terms of median income. In 2017, Morris County was ranked second among the state's 21 counties in healthiness, according to an annual report by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Morris County
1456-777: The county on a northeast–southwest axis. The fault separates the Highlands from the Piedmont, also known as the Newark Basin. This is an active fault . The last major earthquake occurred in 1884, with a strength measured at 5.3 on the Richter scale. Around 21,000 BCE., the Wisconsin Glacier covered about half of Morris County. The terminal moraine went from Hackettstown east to north of Budd Lake, east to Rockaway and Denville, then southeast to Morristown then south to
1512-494: The county. The population density was 1,069.8 per square mile (413.1/km ). There were 189,842 housing units at an average density of 412.5 per square mile (159.3/km ). The racial makeup was 82.61% (406,683) White , 3.12% (15,360) Black or African American , 0.16% (805) Native American , 8.95% (44,069) Asian , 0.02% (106) Pacific Islander , 3.03% (14,910) from other races , and 2.10% (10,343) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 11.47% (56,482) of
1568-513: The eastern portion of the United States follow the corridor that includes the Great Swamp as an important stopping place for rest and nutrition. Many species of birds reside permanently in the watershed. Deer, fish, fox, frogs, muskrat, raccoons, snakes, turtles, as well as many insects and a wide variety of wildflowers and plants call the refuge home. Some of the animals hunted by the prehistoric native inhabitants and colonists, such as bear and beaver, are encountered occasionally. Its role in draining
1624-503: The eastern turn toward the sea. Some ten thousand years ago, Amerindians arrived in the area and established settlements shortly after the retreat of the glacier, hunting, fishing, and farming. In 1614, Dutch colonists claimed part of the area as New Netherlands and they traded with the natives. Later, British settlers came, establishing dominion over what they called the Province of New Jersey . The refuge includes about one-quarter of
1680-556: The end of 2010, the extent of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge had grown to nearly 7,800 acres (32 km) of varied habitats . It lies within the Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion . When the remainder of the area donated was dedicated on September 9, 1968, it was the first refuge to receive wilderness designation. The Great Swamp is a migration-resting and feeding area or a permanent habitat for more than 244 species of birds. The major routes of birds migrating along
1736-492: The entire 55-square-mile (140 km) watershed that surrounds the swamp. Within the Great Swamp there also is a nonprofit bird-rehabilitation center founded in 1977, called The Raptor Trust , mainly specializing in birds of prey , such as eagles , hawks , and owls . Lord Stirling Park is part of the Somerset County Park System. The park is entered from the community of Stirling that is named after
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Misplaced Pages Continue
1792-455: The grants would have required the network to install anti-porn content filters to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act . As these filters excluded legitimate information—such as pages with the word "breast" in online searches regarding "breast cancer"—the network declined to accept these grants. Marcellus Hartley Dodge, Sr. Too Many Requests If you report this error to
1848-618: The highest in New Jersey and ranked 24th of 3,113 counties in the United States. Morris County, as of the 2000 Census, was the sixth-wealthiest county in the United States by median household income at $ 77,340 (second in New Jersey behind Hunterdon County at $ 79,888), sixth in median family income at $ 89,773 (third in New Jersey behind Hunterdon County at $ 91,050 and Somerset County at $ 90,605) and ranked tenth by per capita income at $ 36,964 (second in New Jersey behind Somerset County at $ 37,970). The Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked
1904-640: The highlands in western Morris County and the eastern section of Morris County. Around 400 million years ago, a small continent long and narrow collided with proto-North America. This created folding and faulting, as compression occurred. Then around 350 million years ago, the African Plate collided with North America creating the folding and faulting in the Appalachians. But when the African plate pulled away from North America, an aborted rift valley
1960-543: The longest Democratic drought in any New Jersey county. Former county commissioners include: Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution , each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as constitutional officers. These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and
2016-493: The most easterly line of the Watchung Mountains became the eastern boundary. The tops of some of the Watchung range became islands in the great lake. Water that had vented through the Watchung range, or to its south, found a new path that altered the old drainage paths. When the plug collapsed, the river still was forced to travel north through the range before finding a new outlet near present-day Paterson where it could manage
2072-467: The once-mighty Glacial Lake Passaic that approximately 15,000 to 11,000 years ago stretched across 30 by 10 miles (48 by 16 km) in what is presently northern New Jersey. The lake was formed by the melting waters of the retreating Wisconsin Glacier at the end of the last ice age . The glacier had pushed a moraine ahead of its advance, a rubble of soil and rocks that plugged the existing outlet for
2128-524: The population in Dover and Port Oram of Cornish extraction . At that time the Cornish had kept their customs and dialect, were deeply religious and predominantly Methodists . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of 481.52 square miles (1,247.1 km ), of which 460.97 square miles (1,193.9 km ) was land (95.7%) and 20.55 square miles (53.2 km )
2184-458: The population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 30% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.2 males. Morris County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners comprised of seven members who are elected at-large in partisan elections to three-year terms on
2240-419: The population. Of the 180,534 households, 33.9% had children under the age of 18; 59.6% were married couples living together; 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.4% were non-families. Of all households, 23.5% were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.19. 23.9% of
2296-477: The region and absorbing flood water for gradual release can be critical during extreme weather conditions. The refuge also plays an important role in improving water quality by acting as a natural ecological filter trapping sediments and contaminants. Numerous nonprofit organizations have arisen from the communities within the Great Swamp watershed and work closely in partnership with the refuge. The Great Swamp Watershed Association , founded in 1981, works to protect
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-431: The south end of Great Swamp. When the glacier melted around 13,000 B.C. the melt water created Glacial Lake Passaic . The lake extended from what is now Pompton Lakes through Parsippany south to the south end of Great Swamp. From Parsippany the lake went east to the lava flows of western Paterson. This lake was 30 miles (48 km) long and 10 miles (16 km) miles wide and the depth was about 200 feet (61 m). When
2408-619: The vicinity of the NWR, including the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center. [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service . Morris County, New Jersey Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey , about 30 mi (48 km) west of New York City . According to
2464-406: The waters that drained into the area of the watershed. As the retreating glacier melted, the waters rose to create the lake before a new outlet began to allow the water to exit at a much higher elevation. The plug altered the course of the Passaic River , which had drained a swamp that predated the lake. A range of mountains to the west of Morristown formed the western boundary of the new lake and
2520-489: The western area. Most of the county's borders are rivers. The Pequannock River drains the northern boundary area. The Pompton River drains the eastern section. The Passaic River also drains the eastern border area. The western border is drained by the Musconetcong River . There are several large lakes in Morris County; among them are the state's largest lake, Lake Hopatcong , Budd Lake , Lake Parsippany, and
2576-450: Was 43.3 years. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. The city's median household income was $ 116,283, and the median family income was $ 141,633. About 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over. The 2010 United States census counted 492,276 people, 180,534 households, and 129,262 families in
2632-409: Was 67.0% White , 3.06% African American , 0.07% Native American , 11.3% Asian , and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race accounted for 15.05% of the population. Of the 184,885 households, of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 13.5% had
2688-469: Was created on March 15, 1739, from portions of Hunterdon County . The county was named for the Governor of the Province of New Jersey , Colonel Lewis Morris . In later years Sussex County (on June 8, 1753) and, after the revolution, Warren County (on November 20, 1824, from portions of Sussex County) were carved out of what had been the original area of Morris County under English rule. The county
2744-516: Was created. This half graben , starts east of Boonton and goes through the middle of Parsippany, south to Morristown, to the south end of Great Swamp. From Parsippany and the Boonton area the half graben goes east to the western side of Paterson, where there was another fault by the lava flows. East of the Ramapo Fault is where there is this aborted rift valley. The Ramapo fault goes through
2800-530: Was designated as a wilderness area by Congress in 1968, making it the first wilderness area within the Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service , an agency within the United States Department of the Interior . Refuge lands lie within the townships of Chatham , Harding , and Long Hill . The Great Swamp is the remnant of the bottom of
2856-694: Was lower in elevation than Moggy Hollow. And thus the Passaic River formed. The swamps of the Great Piece Meadows, Hatfield Swamp, Troy Meadows , Lee Meadows and Great Swamp were all under the Lake Passaic until it drained, and then these areas were created. As of the 2020 census , the county had 509,285 people, 184,885 households, and 129,707 families. The population density was 1,106.7 inhabitants per square mile (427.3/km ). There were 197,722 housing units at an average density of 429.67 per square mile (165.9/km ). The county's racial makeup
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#17327724369952912-525: Was named after Colonel Lewis Morris , governor of New Jersey in 1738–39, the year the county was named. The Wisconsin Glacier covered the northern section of Morris County from about 23,000 BC to 13,000 BC. After the Wisconsin Glacier melted around 13,000 BC, Paleo-Indians settled the area from the south in search of big and small game as well as plants. The area was first tundra with grasses growing. Rabbits and fox moved into
2968-582: Was recorded in February 1934 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in August 2001. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.12 inches (79 mm) in February to 5.33 inches (135 mm) in September. Around 500 million years ago, a chain of volcanic islands shaped like an arc collided with proto-North America. The islands rode over top of the North American plate. This created
3024-444: Was technically included in their claimed "New Netherland". On August 27, 1664, three English ships approached Fort Amsterdam and the fort was surrendered to the English. The English now controlled New Netherland and Morris County was now under control of the colony of New York. Relations with the Native Americans improved for a while. There was a war with the Dutch ten years later. The Dutch re-took control of New Amsterdam but after
3080-527: Was the site of the winter camp of the Continental Army after the Battles of Trenton and Princeton during the winter of 1777, as well as another winter camp at Jockey Hollow during an extremely cold winter of 1779–80. In the 1880s, Dover was the center of iron ore mining with the 132 mines producing 700,000 tons of ore annually. The mines were mostly worked by Cornish miners , with the bulk of
3136-423: Was water (4.3%). The county rises in elevation and relief from east to west, with only the more developed eastern suburbs in the Passaic River valley being relatively level. The highest point is at 1,395 feet (425 m) above sea level on a mountain south of Pine Swamp in western Jefferson Township . The second-highest point is on a mountain just north of Riker Lake at 1,358 feet (414 m). The lowest point
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