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Raritan River Reforestation Project

This spring, a large-scale natural restoration project begins at Duke Farms. The vision? Restoring forested wetlands and vernal pools across 112 acres of former agricultural fields along the Raritan River, which will provide extensive new wildlife habitat and help protect communities downstream from river flooding. In conjunction, we will also open a new public-access recreational trail along the Raritan River.

History

The Raritan River shapes the natural environment and history of Duke Farms and much of central New Jersey. This vital waterway flows out of New Jersey’s mountains, cuts across the Piedmont plain (where Duke Farms sits on the riverbank), and then drops down across the low-lying coastal plain before emptying out into Raritan Bay just south of Staten Island.

Wildlife and human beings alike have depended on this river for millennia. Bald Eagles, like the pair at Duke Farms, nest in tall American sycamore trees on the riverbank and catch fish from the river channel to feed their hungry chicks. Salamanders spawn in vernal pools in the river’s wetlands, while wildlife from deer to bobcats to coyotes rely on the river’s forests and wetlands. A myriad of fish and other aquatic species depend on the river, too.

The river’s rich sediments created valuable farmland for people, and its course provided strategic places to build communities, transportation hubs, and industrial sites over the years. The Raritan’s flow was harnessed for power and water by a series of dams in the 19th and 20th centuries, including a dam built by J.B. Duke in the 1920s.

But all that use took a toll—the Raritan River got squeezed, blocked, stagnated, and polluted, and the once-fertile forests on its banks were cut down and paved over in many places. Wildlife populations declined. Bald Eagles became scarce, and American shad and other fish could no longer complete their annual migrations up the river. Squeezed too tightly, the river started flooding communities. By many people near its banks, the river started to be viewed as a threat, rather than as a resource.

Over the last 20 years, numerous nonprofit organizations, government agencies, private companies, and individuals have been working hard to restore the health of the Raritan River for the benefit of all. Three dams have been removedalong the river, and American shad and other fish now swim freely again. One of these dams, at Nevius Street, was the dam once built by J.B. Duke. Duke Farms made the decision to remove that dam in conjunction with partners in 2013.

The New Project

The new restoration project beginning this spring will restore 112 acres of former agricultural fields overrun with invasive plant species, into rich, productive forested wetlands and vernal pools. Over the next two years, the project will involve earthworks to improve water flows, planting 50,000 native trees and shrubs, managing invasive plants, and protecting new plantings from white-tailed deer.

As USFWS explains on its website, the project is funded by a 2024 court settlement that “addresses liability for past releases of hazardous substances at or near the American Cyanamid Superfund Site ("American Cyanamid Site") in Bridgewater, New Jersey that impacted floodplain, riparian, upland, and wetland habitat adjacent to the Raritan River. The settlement will support the implementation and monitoring of a restoration project that will restore resources that were lost and/or injured as a result of contamination from the American Cyanamid Site.”

The restoration plan was developed by Stantec Consulting Company, Inc. after several years of intensive scientific investigation, surveying, and testing. The restoration plan was presented for public comment in 2023, and was approved as part of a consent decree by a federal court in July 2024.

A new recreational trail, accessible to all, will also be opened along the Raritan River at this restoration site in the coming months. The trail will feature interpretive signage and will be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, to maximize its use and enjoyment to everyone in the community.

There will not be any new buildings or other permanent structures erected on the restoration land, though there will be construction equipment moving back and forth during the restoration.

Public Benefits

Restoring 112 acres of forested wetlands along the Raritan River at Duke Farms will have many benefits to people and wildlife alike:

• Improvements to water quality and sediment retention, forested wetlands help absorb excess nutrients and capture sediment from river water.
• Floodwater storage, forested wetlands help slow down and soak up excess river water during floods
• Habitat for threatened and endangered species
• 15 years of monitoring and maintenance to lock in benefits
• Scientific research to inform other restoration projects across New Jersey and beyond
• Carbon sequestration as trees and shrubs mature

Another benefit to the public is the chance to bear witness to the project as the landscape changes over time.  This restoration will have a significant impact on our downstream communities and invite them to become a part of the restoration work by documenting the changes through photos over time.  It brings an exciting opportunity for the community to see the effects of conservation and natural climate solutions first hand.  

Duke Farms will be closed to the public on the following dates for deer management efforts: 

• Friday, January 24th 

• Saturday, January 25th 

• Friday, January 31st 

• Friday, February 7th 

• Saturday, February 8th 

• Friday, February 14th 

On these days, all trails, bike paths, the Orientation Center, and the Farm Barn Café will be closed to visitors. This temporary closure allows our team to focus on managing the deer population effectively within key areas of Duke Farms. While we love welcoming visitors to this exceptional space and sharing the legacy of Doris Duke, safety is always our top priority. These closures enable our team to conduct their work as efficiently and safely as possible. 

“For over 20 years, deer management has been a cornerstone of our conservation efforts at Duke Farms, which is home to numerous protected and endangered species,” said Executive Director Margaret Waldock.  “In Central New Jersey, managing deer density is a crucial tactic when it comes to restoring nature.”   

The success of this program is tracked by conducting herd population surveys in winter and comparing them with vegetation surveys in summer. Over the past twenty years, we’ve observed a significant rise in native plant cover, improving habitat quality, ecosystem health, and biodiversity. This thriving environment benefits nature and wildlife and also our visitors, who enjoy a lush, vibrant landscape from spring through fall. 

“Deer management is one of our most vital responsibilities at Duke Farms,” said Mike Bellaus, Manager of Habitat Restoration.  "Excessive deer populations hinder forest regeneration, preventing young trees from maturing into the towering giants that help define a thriving forest. By maintaining balanced deer populations, we ensure that visitors can experience the natural beauty of healthy, thriving ecosystems firsthand," continued Bellaus.

This year presented unique challenges to our deer management program, including extreme weather events and damage from fallen trees and downed fences. Despite these hurdles, we remain committed to balancing recreation and research. Our goal is to maintain a deer density of 16 per square mile. For context, prior to 2004, the density was as high as 200 deer per square mile. Through these efforts, we’ve seen a marked improvement in the health of the deer population and the overall ecosystem at Duke Farms. 

We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue this vital work to preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of Duke Farms. Thank you for being a part of our journey and stewardship of this land.