The Pinelands National Reserve in New Jersey is a vast area of public and private lands that covers nearly 22 percent of the state and includes historic sites, natural areas, recreational opportunities, and 56 communities with over 700,000 permanent residents. Almost 40 percent of the Pinelands is publicly owned and managed by several land management agencies. Home to over 1,350 plant and animal species, many unique natural environments, and a rich folk life heritage, it was established by Congress in 1978 as the first National Reserve in recognition of its special resources. Its habitats include coastal wetlands, pine oak upland forests, and Atlantic white cedar swamps, all linked by the Kirkwood/Cohansey Aquifer, whose porous sand layers contain an estimated 17 trillion gallons of water and provide the primary source of drinking water for South Jersey residents. Pinelands heritage dates from prehistoric times, when Native Americans used the region’s resources for food and shelter, and later early settlers used cedar trees and bog iron for local industries. Today, cranberry and blueberry agriculture are major industries, while the region’s waterways, trails, wetlands, forests, wildlife, and historic places such as Batsto Village reflect a landscape shaped by both natural systems and generations of human activity.