Our Parsippany DUI Lawyers Love The Peaceful Nature of Great Piece Meadows

With everything from beaches to deciduous forests, New Jersey is a geologically diverse area. Fortunately, many of the state's most beautiful natural areas have been officially preserved so that our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy all of the breathtaking natural scenery the Garden State has to offer. In our opinion, the Great Piece Meadows Preserve is one of the most awe-inspiring nature sites in the region. Our Parsippany DWI lawyers think all New Jersey families should take at least one trip here to take in the sights and sounds. Some interesting aspects of the Great Piece Meadows Preserve include:

Geology

Great Piece Meadows is a massive 1,170-acre open meadow wetland, and one of several remnants formed on the bottom of the ancient Glacial Lake Passaic. This wetlands system is in a constant state of flux. Other notable Passaic River basin wetlands include the Great Swamp, Black Meadows, and Troy Meadows. With a resilient and diverse ecosystem, the Great Piece Meadows are home to a wide range of wildlife who seek refuge there. The area also provides floor storage for nearby river communities. And of course, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy boating, birdwatching, hiking, and other activities here.

History and Background

The maintenance and preservation of Great Piece Meadows has been handled by Wildlife Preserves, Inc. for several decades. This statewide conservation organization, along with the New Jersey Green Acres Program, began requiring parcels of land in the meadows back in the 1960s. Five decades later, nearly all of the land is owned by state or municipal governments for the purpose of providing flood storage, wildlife habitat, and recreation.

Flora and Fauna

Great Piece Meadows is a Natural Heritage Priority Site, which means that the flora and fauna of the region are virtually untouched. The meadows support rare plant life such as tufted loosestrife and Louisiana sedge. Human changes to hydrology, which were meant to solve flooding problems, are believed to have transformed the wet meadow habitat into a forest of red maple and sweetgum trees. In spite of these changes, the preserve still acts as a diverse wildlife refuge today.