This struck home as we started our tour atop the Maurice River Bridge viewing the vast expanses of marshland outside the historic village of Mauricetown. This is the spot where thousands of purple martins roost at night readying themselves for their migration south in mid-August. Volunteers from CU Maurice River provide binoculars, scopes, and interpretation for people who gather in the evening to witness this phenomenon. In addition, boat trips and guided kayak tours are available along the river. This event will take place the weekend of August 10th and 11th, 2012.

A glance across the river at historic Mauricetown changes our conversation from current day natural resources to those of the past, namely the oyster. It is responsible for the past wealth this area enjoyed, and helped build Mauricetown. Unfortunately, because the oyster population declined, the area’s wealth would not last. In its heyday, canneries, marinas, and shipyards all cropped up along the river to help distribute this coveted delicacy. A drive through Mauricetown reveals its Victorian homes that speak to the affluence its citizens enjoyed. It’s amazing to think how this one mollusk provided such comfort to so many people. 

Besides Purple Martins drawing people to the area these days, the bald eagle also provides an ecotourism attraction for the region. Every year, The Cumberland County Eagle Festival is held in early February (Saturday the 11th, 2012) at the Mauricetown Fire Hall. It incorporates guided walks, lectures, exhibits, and food into an all-day affair. CU Maurice River holds its annual Chili Bowl fundraiser and other non-profits such as New Jersey Audubon Society and Natural Lands Trust make contributions to the programming. 

As we proceeded along the river, we saw the osprey platforms that CU volunteers maintain; thirty in total. Lillian explained that the current day shape of the osprey platform was actually invented by CU volunteers. Who knew? All ospreys that are born on these platforms are banded. CU has a large active volunteer force, around 100 people, and it boasts a membership of approximately 400. I was surprised by the number of active volunteers; Lillian attributed their interest to the many fun and interesting opportunities available.

Traveling south through towns such as Port Norris and Bivalve (imagine they even named a town after the oyster), you begin to get a feeling for the history of the area without having to ask. Stopping at the Bayshore Discovery Project, one can see the remnants of the railroad track which carried the oyster harvest to Philadelphia. The shipping sheds that were built back then house the Delaware Bay Museum and Folklife Center today. New Jersey’s official Tall Ship, The A.J. Meerwald, a restored oyster schooner that is docked there, is used for educational purposes providing hands on experience to children of all grade levels. The Bivalve Discovery Tour combines a wetlands walk and a museum tour, helping to bring the past and the present together.

Making our way up-river, we visited the town of Millville and the wonderful park and trail system that runs along the Maurice River. As we walked along the river talking, I came to appreciate the dedication of an organization such as CU Maurice River. Lillian also explained that the local artists have been successful in establishing the Glasstown Arts District where glassworks, painters, potters, and other artists showcase their works, helping to continue the culture and history of the area. What I saw as we toured the town was an area proud of its natural and cultural heritage and determined to pass it on to future generations.  

Much of the property along the river is private or public lands that have been preserved. We stopped for a short time at the Peek Preserve (256 acres), owned by Natural Lands Trust. They own 41 preserves and over 20,000 acres in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. This particular preserve straddles the winding Maurice River and is home to a very healthy wild rice marsh. From the office window, a gorgeous view of the marsh showcased two bald eagles off in the distance along with a view of the Maurice River Bluffs. In a little while I would get another view of those same eagles - this time from atop the bluffs.

Another reason Lillian thought that membership and volunteerism was so high in the organization was because of the personal touch its president, Jane Morton Galleto, provides, and I can attest to this. During our drive, she called to make sure Lillian had taken me to the Maurice River Bluffs. When she found that we had not taken a walk out to the bluffs, and that we felt we were getting short on time, she told us about a short cut and gave us detailed directions as to its location just so I could see them. 

The easiest way to access the bluffs is through the 500-acre Maurice River Bluffs Preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy. Historically, as the Maurice River wound its way downstream, the sandy soil was cut away leaving bluffs that in some places rise 30-feet above the river. The preserve itself boasts an oak-pine forest along with many rare reptiles and plants communities. Considered an important stopover for migrating songbirds and waterfowl, a birding trip/nature walk here would be memorable.

Continuing south, we ended our tour at the East Point Lighthouse, located at the mouth of the Maurice River where it meets the Delaware Bay. The second oldest lighthouse in New Jersey, second only to Sandy Hook, it is the last remaining working lighthouse on the Delaware Bay. As we approached the lighthouse and parked, the breathtaking view of the bay was good enough reason to visit this spot, but the lighthouse made it all the more special and capped off an enjoyable and informative day. 

I’ve had so much to say about that day and I haven’t really given you any details about the river, but luckily CU has a wonderful website (