Landscape of the Day: Stafford forge

The old impoundments at Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area make for unbelievable sunsets. The state managed WMA was once a private cranberry plantation which was one of many in Stafford Twp. that were created by Nathaniel Holmes Bishop III (1837-1902) during the 19th Century. Several homes and out buildings were also once located on the property. Today the evidence of its past use is evident with the large man made lakes (old impoundments) that remain. It is actively managed for game birds (it is stocked with captive-farm raised pheasant and quail) and home to many other species of wildlife that are native to the NJ Pine Barrens. There are also many old sugar sand roads that go through the WMA.