An herbarium is like a library, but instead of books, it houses carefully preserved plant specimens from a specific geographic area.
These collections are vital to the health and wellbeing of our natural spaces. Since they are often compiled over many yearsâsometimes even decadesâherbariums offer an invaluable record of how plant species and their ranges have changed over time. Many also preserve the genetic material of these plants through seed banks and other conservation methods. Beyond their scientific importance, herbariums inspire a deep appreciation for nature in all who witness their beautifully pressed specimens.
Herbariums are truly remarkable, which is why Save Barnegat Bay is proud to have contributed to one of the most comprehensive collections in New Jerseyâat Island Beach State Parkâthanks to the dedication of our principal botanist, Linda Kelly. Linda, one of the state’s foremost botanists, has spent nearly two decades [INSERT ACTUAL TIMELINE] collecting nearly every plant species, both on land and in water, that inhabits Island Beach State Park. This collection is known as the Emily deCamp Herbarium.
The Emily deCamp Herbarium was founded by the deCamp family and friends, all passionate nature enthusiasts who wanted to promote a deeper connection to the environment through education and engagement. The herbariumâs mission is to showcase the rich biodiversity of New Jerseyâs native plant life by:
- Illustrating the intricate “chain of life” in a way that captivates and educates,
- Empowering the public to begin exploring and understanding their own local ecosystems.
This special collection is housed at both the Forked River Interpretive Center and Coast Guard Station 112 (a former Coast Guard station) in Island Beach State Park, south of Seaside Park, NJ, and at our EcoCenter at 117 Haines Rd, Toms River. We are also honored to share that the seeds from these plants are preserved at Georgian Court University, largely due to the efforts of our late, beloved board member Dr. Louise Wooton. Louiseâs passion for Barnegat Bay, her dedication to its biodiversity, and her unwavering commitment to dune ecology were integral to both her lifeâs work and our continued efforts to protect these ecosystems.
Click an area of the picture to read about a community.
The Plant Communities: An Overview
There are nine distinct plant communities at Island Beach State Park. While the above illustration may suggest a clear, linear progression of these communities from the bay to the ocean, this is a broad generalization. Some communities, like freshwater wetlands, can be found outside of these typical zonesâsuch as along the A13 trail east of the thicket. Similarly, the tidal marshes that dominate the southern end of the park give way to bayshore communities in the middle and northern sections of the park.
