Hamilton Preserve is considered by many to support the world’s largest population of the federally threatened and state endangered plant, Knieskern’s beaked rush.
Seemingly unremarkable, the small 10-12 inch high plant in a family of plants known as rushes, could be overlooked as just another grass-like weed. However, this small rush has come to skillfully select and adapt to disturbed areas with wet sand as well as the Pinelands naturally occurring vernal pond habitats.
Sometimes known in this region as “pingos” or coastal plain ponds, these vernal ponds are small and often very round in shape. These ponds are filled in spring but dry up each summer and become grassy openings in an otherwise forested landscape.
I tried to approach each stage from a new and unique perspective, from the location, to the container, to the retrieval. At each stage you will be given the coords for the next stage and a piece of the coords for the final stage. Bring your camera and of course the proper gear. Enjoy and be safe!
