For Immediate Release
Contact: Megan Steele, megan.steele@sierraclub.org
EDISON, NJ -- Today, Governor Murphy visited Middlesex County’s wildlife conservation area to sign A5822 (Coughlin), legislation in memory of late State Senator Peter Barnes III. The bill renames the Dismal Swamp and the Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission as the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve and Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission, respectively.
According to the bill: Peter J. Barnes III was passionate about the preservation of the area, and fought hard to see that preservation realized, often going door to door to get the word out. Dismal Swamp is the largest natural area remaining in Northern Middlesex County, and Peter J. Barnes III's support and work on this bill led to the conservation of approximately 660 acres of land. The area is home to over 175 species of birds, and two dozen species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as a dozen threatened and endangered species.
“Senator Barnes was a champion for the environment. His work to preserve Dismal Swamp helped protect the estimated 165 types of birds, 25 types of reptiles and amphibians, and dozens of mammals that lived there. The Dismal Swamp is one of the jewels of New Jersey and preserving this habitat was crucial for open space and flooding protections,” said Taylor McFarland, Acting Director, Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter. “As you drive around Middlesex County and see open space, clean air and clean water, that is part of Peter’s legacy. He dedicated his life to make New Jersey a better place. Renaming this space after Senator Barnes is a fitting tribute.”