OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
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Read the State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites Strategic Plan.
“The mission of the State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites program is to provide equitable and responsible access for present and future generations to the state’s natural, historic and recreational resources. Through the implementation of best practices in stewardship, education, interpretation, law enforcement and forest protection we ensure the conservation, protection and understanding of these resources.”
New Jersey State Parks
New Jersey State Parks is organized into four distinct management units, each responsible for providing residents and visitors with safe, quality experiences with New Jersey’s natural and historic resources.
- State Parks & Forests: Encompassing 41 state parks, 11 state forests, five recreation areas, six marinas and four golf courses, New Jersey’s state parks and forests offer diverse experiences from High Point to Cape May Point which include swimming, hiking, camping, paddling, educational programs and more.
- Urban State Parks & Initiatives: Tasked with expanding New Jersey State Parks’ reach into urban areas of New Jersey, increasing access to green space in the nation’s most densely populated state. The program is leading several large scale projects including the development of a nine-mile linear park from Mountain to Jersey City and the revitalization of Liberty State Park, while supporting other urban park priorities.
- State Historic Sites: Coordinating with more than 50 sites and districts, the State Historic Sites program works to preserve and interpret New Jersey’s rich history, from the state’s role in the American Revolution to its industrial and agricultural past.
- State Park Police: The law enforcement arm of New Jersey State Parks responsible for patrolling all state park and Natural Lands Trust lands to ensure public safety and the protection of natural resources. State Park Police Dispatch is available 24/7 at 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).
Forests & Natural Lands
The Office of Forests & Natural Lands is broken down into three sections that work to manage and preserve New Jersey’s natural landscapes.
- Forest Fire Service: Responsible for wildland fire suppression across more than three million acres of state, county, municipal, federal and private property, the Forest Fire Service works year-round responding to emergencies, working with communities on wildfire planning, and mitigates threats that could cause or further fuel a future wildfire.
- Forest Service: Not only does the Forest Service implement forest management projects on state lands, but also provides assistance to private landowners, tracks the state’s forest health, supports municipalities through the Urban & Community Forestry program, grows trees at the state tree nursery, among other tasks.
- Office of Natural Lands Management: Managing the state’s database of rare plants, the office also oversees the Natural Areas System and recommends management activities to improve rare plants throughout the state.
The Office of Resource Development deploys funding to maintain and develop new facilities for the State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites, and Fish & Wildlife programs. Funding for many of the projects the office undertakes comes from constitutionally dedicated Corporate Business Tax revenue in accordance with the Preserve New Jersey Act.
Press Requests
Press inquiries about the State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites Program should be directed to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s press office at 609-984-1795 or by emailing james.douglas@deptest.nj.gov.
Contact
- Phone: +1 (800) 843-6420
+1 (609) 984-0370 - Email: parks@deptest.nj.gov
New Jersey Forest Service:
- Phone: +1 (609) 292-2532
- Email: askaforester@deptest.nj.gov
New Jersey Forest Fire Service:
- Phone: +1 (609) 292-2977
- Email: njwildfire@deptest.nj.gov
State Park Police:
- Dispatch: 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337)
- Tip Line: 1-844-PARK-TIP (1-844-727-5847)
- Trenton Headquarters: (609) 292-4744
- Email: stateparkpolice@deptest.nj.gov