, DNEIL MacNEIL I Author
At our last meeting, Dec. 21, the Club was treated to a fun and interesting talk by NEIL MacNEIL on the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Neil has studied the Barrens for much of his life, and has written a book, "A Stillness in the Pines". He was born in N.J. and says the Barrens have always been his back yard. It is the largest expanse of open land in the East, accounting for 20% of New Jersey land. Much of it is water and it is home to over 800 species of flowers. Neil spoke of the history of the area from being a national leader in iron production, to becoming a glass manufacturing center. The Barrens were the source of "swamp gas", which is a natural phenomenon there. He told us about the Pinies who were the early settlers and iron workers, who now reside in the deep woods of the Pine Barrens, and spoke of the legend of the Jersey Devil, and also NJ's contribution to the bootlegging industry.
He gave a short slideshow featuring many beautiful pictures from the Barrens. Neil has written two books, and he shared his latest work at our meeting. He is a spokesman for the Pinelands Protection Alliance, an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Pine Barrens. https://pinelandsalliance.org
Thank you very much, Neil.
