The Pine Barrens Podcast

What happens upstream doesn’t stay upstream. We sit down with ecology director Kayleigh Henry to unpack a year-and-a-half fight to protect the Black Run headwaters beside one of the Pine Barrens’ most loved preserves—and how a youth-powered movement helped to make it happen.

Together we trace the arc from first community hikes to packed council meetings, a 50,000-strong petition, and a pivotal Pinelands Commission decision to designate 2,400 acres as forest area. We explain how township master plans shape what can be built, why this technical step matters, and how aligning zoning with science gives communities real leverage.

We also explore a parallel front at Watchung Ridge in North Jersey, where public comment has been curtailed and organizers face a more closed process.to convert momentum into a permanent land acquisition.
If you care about conservation, clean water, headwater forests, or how local advocacy actually changes policy, you will get something from this discussion 

yWhat happens when rain has nowhere to go? As climate patterns shift and development spreads across the landscape, our relationship with rainwater has become increasingly complex and problematic. Matthew Laconey, bio-environmental engineer with Rutgers University's Water Resources Program, takes us deep into the world of green stormwater infrastructure and why it matters to every community.

When rainwater hits impervious surfaces like parking lots and rooftops instead of natural areas, it creates a cascade of environmental problems. This runoff carries pollutants directly into streams, causes flooding by overwhelming waterways, and fails to replenish groundwater supplies that feed our aquifers. Green infrastructure works by creating natural buffers that capture, slow, and filter this water before it reaches waterways.

Throughout New Jersey, municipalities must navigate complex stormwater regulations through MS4 permits that establish baseline standards for water management. Laconey explains how climate change has forced regulators to update rainfall design standards, requiring newer developments to handle larger storms than historically necessary. The Rutgers team has implemented hundreds of green infrastructure projects statewide, from municipal installations to simple rain gardens at schools and homes.

For listeners wondering how to make a difference, Laconey offers practical guidance for installing residential rain gardens, emphasizing that "every drop counts" in our collective effort to manage stormwater sustainably. He points out that developments built before 1984 typically lack proper stormwater controls, highlighting the need to address existing infrastructure, not just new construction. By thinking differently about our relationship with rainfall, we can transform environmental challenges into opportunities for cleaner water, reduced flooding, and more resilient communities.

Ready to make a difference in your yard or community? Explore the rain garden manuals and resources available through the Rutgers Water Resources Program website, and join the movement to make water management more sustainable, one drop at a time.

With our guest Natalie Stone, we explore the deep roots of Sicilians and Italian Americans in the area , what it means to be a piney, and the cultural traditions that bind us all together..  The Pine Barrens complex web of culture, food, politics and history make the place of emblematic of America's cultural saga as the past mingles with the voices of today. 

Ever wandered through the Pine Barrens and marveled at its serene beauty? Russell Juelg of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation joins us to navigate the past, present, and future of this ecological treasure. 

The debate over motorized routes within the forest sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the balancing act of accessibility and environmental stewardship. We dissect the history etched into the paths crisscrossing the Pine Barrens and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance's advocacy for responsible use. The conversation shifts gears towards the encroaching threat of illegal off-roading, revealing the intricate dance between preservation and the increasing visitation.

Our episode culminates with a hard look at the issue of law enforcement in state parks, zeroing in on the complications of curtailing off-road vehicle misuse. We unpack the constraints that shackle park police, the contrasting approaches of conservation officers, and the educational gaps that leave our natural sanctuaries vulnerable. Russell and I dissect the interplay between rules and their enforcement, proposing a path forward that could strengthen protections for Wharton State Forest

An interview with Pine Barrens Advocate, Illustrator and Author Allen Crawford about his new book,  A Wild Promise,  in which he creates a tapestry of our nation’s habitats—oceans, mountains, deserts, wetlands, prairies, and forests—and the varied species that call these places home.  We discuss his book, movement conservation, and some of his experiences in the Pines. 

In this episode,  Joanna and I discuss the importance of conserving large habitat spaces for wildlife and the future of wildlife conservation in the NJ Pinelands. 

Hosted by Jason Howell
Presented by Pinelands Preservation Alliance 

Music by Merce Ridgway and the Pine Hawkers 

In this episode we interview the band Jackson Pines about their new album, Pine Barrens Volume one. We get into the history of folk music in the Pine Barrens and how place affects music and vice versa. 

Jackson Pines new Album - Pine Barrens Volume One
https://jacksonpines.bandcamp.com/album/pine-barrens-volume-one


Original recordings of Merce Ridgway Jr. Pinehawkers by Mary Hufford and others involved in the Pine Barrens Folklife project 
https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1991023_afs23874/

Hosted by Jason Howell

Guest: Sean Kane-Holland, Access Nature Disability Advocate
Host: Jason Howell

Sean is the Access Nature and Disability Advocate for Pinelands Preservation Alliance. In this episode, Sean explains what he is doing to expand access to natural areas for people of all ability levels and how you can get involved .

Sean attended Rutgers University and graduated with a B.A. in American History & Political Science. Since 2014 he has worked in the New Jersey Park Service at Batsto Historic Village in Wharton State Forest as a member of the history department. Sean is focused on preserving, restoring, and interpreting natural and historic resources for current and future generations and ensuring everyone in our diverse collective community has a chance to enjoy the magnificence of New Jersey’s great outdoors.

Link to new Access Nature Map for South Jersey and the Pinelands: accessnaturenj.org

Learn more and join the ongoing conservation at:
pinelandsalliance.org/the-pinelands-is-for-everyone/access-nature-forum/

Contact (609) 859-8860 ext. 117 or Email [email protected]

A tour of cedar run wildlife refuge with Mike O'Malley, Tracey Bloodworth, and Lisa Franco. We discuss native wildlife, wildlife rehabilitation after injury, environmental education, and the many programs and offerings that are available at Cedar Run.

Senior Land Steward Russell Juelg explores the Quaker Bridge Rd area of the Mullica River Fire and discusses some of the local goals of the new Fix Our Parks campaign - a grassroots effort to advocate for more funding, maintenance, and better policies for New Jersey State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management Areas. https://www.fixourparksnj.org/join-the-campaign