The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route is a developing network that links natural and cultural landmarks into a story of coastal life and peoples from the ancient past to the present. Its themes include maritime history in fishing villages, lighthouses, life-saving stations, forts, and harbor installations; coastal habitats such as barrier islands, wetlands, estuaries, bays, rivers, tidal areas, and pine barrens; wildlife migration along the Atlantic Flyway and offshore waters; places of relaxation and inspiration including historic hotels, boardwalks, amusement parks, and religious retreats; and historic settlements shaped by abundant natural resources and the constant presence of the sea. Many destinations are already open, and the route is being created to preserve and interpret New Jersey’s significant cultural, natural, and scenic coastal heritage through a partnership of the National Park Service, the State of New Jersey, and individual sites.