The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is located within the townships of Chatham, Harding, and Long Hill in Morris County, #NewJersey. The Great Swamp is the remnant of the bottom of the Glacial Lake Passaic that about 15,000 to 11,000 years ago stretched approximately 30 by 10 miles. The lake was formed by the melting waters of the retreating Wisconsin Glacier at the end of the last Ice Age. Established November 3, 1960, it is one of more than 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System.The refuge was established after a year-long legal battle that pitted local residents against Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials wishing to turn the Great Swamp into a major regional airport to supplement Newark Airport's ability to accommodate large jet aircraft. The Jersey Jetport Site Association was formed in opposition to the airport and was later joined by the North American Wildlife Foundation. Together, these groups raised awareness and purchased property amounting to 2,600 acres. This land was donated to the federal government to be protected in perpetuity. The #refuge was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1966. The eastern half of the refuge was designated as #wilderness by Congress in 1968, making it the first wilderness area within the @usinterior. Since its establishment, the Great Swamp Refuge has grown to 7,800 acres and preserves over 3,600 acres of wilderness. It serves as a migration-resting and feeding area or permanent habitat for more than 244 species of birds. #nj #njhistory #SpreadTheHistory #historygirl #history #americanhistory #blog #blogger #travelblog #travelblogger #jerseycollective #explorenj #journeythroughjersey #njspots #visitnj #greatswamp #greatswampnwr #nationalwildliferefuge #nationalnaturallandmark #glacial geology #morriscountynj #chathamnj #longhillnj #hardingnj #nature #optoutside (at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwQTtowHSCe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ywazi7uuaz0
