Why do we care about
Patcong Creek?
Because it is home to hundreds of species.
Because we care, we educate students and the
general public and provide
volunteer opportunities to keep the Creek and
Great Egg Harbor estuary clean.
Estuary
es·tu·ary
noun
a water passage where the tide meets a river current;
especially, an arm of the sea at the lower end of a river
[as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Estuaries are unique ecosystems with various salinities. Several species are specifically adapted to estuarine habitats. Many require an estuarine environment for part of their lifecycle.
Read on to learn about our stewardship and details on
ANIMALS & PLANTS in Patcong Creek.
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Patcong Creek Foundation
Stewardship Initiatives
Stewardship Initiatives
Stream & Wetland Clean Ups
Education & Outreach
Community Nights
Teacher Lesson Plans
Science Fair Mentoring
Education & Outreach
Community Nights
Teacher Lesson Plans
Science Fair Mentoring
Funding Programs like:
Watershed Signs
Derelict Fishing Gear Recovery
Ecology Field Trips
Watershed Signs
Derelict Fishing Gear Recovery
Ecology Field Trips
Stewardship
stew·ard·ship
noun
The conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially, the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. Ex. stewardship of natural resources
[as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
Stewardship of Patcong Creek is at the core of our mission.
Our local estuary is an important home for many species.
Some that rely on Patcong Creek are at risk of decline.
Read On to See Why We Care About the Patcong Creek.
~ And Why You Should, Too ~
Great Egg Harbor Estuary
Patcong Creek is part of the Great Egg Harbor Estuary—home to many threatened and endangered species—both state and federally-listed. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Conservation Training Center, there are 145 Species of Special Emphasis in the local estuary including the following:
Federally listed endangered
- peregrine falcon
Federally listed threatened
- bald eagle
- piping plover
- threatened swamp pink
Federal species of concern
- rare skipper
- precious underwing
- northern diamondback terrapin
State-listed endangered
- northern harrier
- least tern
- small-headed beaked-rush
- red goosefoot
- Koehn’s tooth-cup
State-listed threatened
- eastern mud salamander
- little blue heron
- yellow-crowned night-heron
- osprey
- barred owl
Salt Marsh Animals you can see in the Patcong Creek
The ones in bold are spotted frequently.
- Bald Eagle – * State Endangered (breeding) & State Threatened (non-breeding). – We have pairs nesting at Patcong Creek!
- Peregrine Falcon * Federal List Endangered – Seen overhead and nests nearby on Drag Island.
- Brown Thrasher
- American Oystercatcher
- Wood Thrush
- Osprey – * State List Threatened
- Great Blue Heron
- Little Blue Heron – * State List Threatened
- Black-crowned Night Heron — * State List Threatened
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron — * State List Threatened
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Cormorant
- Black Skimmer – * State Endangered
- Laughing Gull
- Herring Gull
- Great Black-backed Gull
- Gull-billed Tern
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Red-shouldered Hawk – * State List Endangered
- Glossy Ibis
- Mergansers
- Least Tern – * State Endangered
- Northern Pine Snake – * State List Threatened
- Northern Diamondback Terrapin
- Eastern Box Turtle
- Snapping Turtle
- Muskrat – Furry and adorable!
- Blue Crab – Our favorite! The creek is a nursery.
- Ribbed Mussel (invasive)
- 41 species of fish in Great Egg Harbor Estuary – most abundant in Bay/Creek are Atlantic silversides, Atlantic menhaden, bay anchovy, alewife, hogchoker, white perch, white catfish, blue fish, striped bass, oyster toadfish.
Plant Species of the Patcong Creek
Common Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Includes:
- horned-pondweed (Zannichellia palustris)
- water celery (Vallisneria americana)
- slender pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus)
- redhead grass (P. perfoliatus)
- widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima)
- naiad (Najas flexilis)
Field Note:
Young blue crabs require submerged
aquatic vegetation (SAV) for shelter
and food as they develop.
Swamp Areas Farther from the Creek Include the Following Hardwood Species:
- Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
- red maple (Acer rubrum)
- black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
- sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana)
- sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- ash (Fraxinus spp.)
Swamp Areas Farther from the Creek Include the Following Hardwood Species:
- Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
- red maple (Acer rubrum)
- black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
- sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana)
- sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- ash (Fraxinus spp.)
And we can’t forget these adorable upland critters we often see along the Garden State Parkway near Patcong Creek.
Red Fox
White-tailed Deer
Cottontail Rabbit
Woodchuck
TO PROTECT THESE ANIMALS AND PLANTS, WE MUST:
FIGHT TO RESTRICT FUTURE POLLUTION DISCHARGE
EDUCATE ABOUT NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION
CLEAN UP LITTER
ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ARE UPHELD TO MINIMIZE DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE CREEK
EDUCATE ABOUT ESTUARINE ECOLOGY TO MOLD FUTURE STEWARDS
You can be a Steward of the Patcong Creek by:
Participating in Foundation events
Becoming a Sponsor for Events
Being a Supporter of the Foundation
Joining the Foundation as a member
Adopting a Creek Critter
Participating in Foundation events
Becoming a Sponsor for Events
Being a Supporter of the Foundation
Joining the Foundation as a member
Adopting a Creek Critter
