Maurice River Township, bounded by its namesake to the west and gently lapped by the Delaware bay to its south, is truly unique. Of its 94.7 square miles, 66 are within New jersey's Pinelands Protection Area, home to many threatened and endangered Pine Barrens plants and animals. Its four Wild and Scenic rivers - the Maurice, the Menantico, the Manumuskin, and the Muskee Creek - boast outstanding beauty and unparalleled recreational opportunities.

Long ago, aboriginal hunters and gatherers lived by our rivers and creeks. A four to six thousand year old village site, discovered on the Maurice near Port Elizabeth, is part of our rich archaeological heritage. The Maurice River (pronounced Morris) took its present name from the Prince Maurice, a Dutch ship which was set ablaze and sunk by Indians below Mauricetown. Settled by Swedes in the early 1700's, Maurice River Township quickly developed grist and sawmills along the tributaries, as well as bog iron furnaces and forges. Riverside farms were created by diking the tidal wetlands with high earthen embankments. In the 19^th century, glass making and shipbuilding became major industries, along with coastal trading and oystering.

Dorchester and Leesburg were developed in the late 1700's, with shipbuilding as their principal industry. Port Elizabeth was established in 1785 by Elizabeth Bodly. A flourishing commercial center, it was designated the port of delivery for its region by an act of Congress in 1789, and remained the hub of the West Indies trade until Philadelphia and New York surpassed it in the early 19^th century. In 1830 Maurice River Township had the largest population of the county's eight municipalities, by 1865 its hayday was over.

• Shorebird migration in May at the Delaware Bay towns of Moore's Beach, East Point, and Thompson's Beach, PSE&G public viewing platform at Thompson's Beach
• Neotropical songbird migration, both spring and fall, around East Point

• Autumn raptor migration around East Point/Delaware Bay
• Wintering waterfowl and raptors with large populations of bald eagles on the Maurice River
• Nesting bald eagles hunting the Maurice from early spring through summer
• The osprey colony project, established by Citizens United, approximately 27 active nests along the Maurice

• Heislerville and Corson Fish and Wildlife Management Areas, near Heislerville
• Peaslee Wildlife Management Area, containing much of the headwaters of the Manumuskin River and Muskee Creek, includes Cumberland Pond on Route 49
• Nesting bald eagles hunting the Maurice from early spring through summer
• Menantico Wildlife Management Area, at the head of the Menantico River

The Manumuskin Preserve, a 3,200 acre parcel owned by The Nature Conservancy, is home to numerous threatened and endangered species. Hikes and other activities are offered by The Nature Conservancy, call 609-861-0600.

• Spring Garden Marina in Port Elizabeth: 856-825-5334
• Penny Hill Boat Yard & Marina in Dorchester: 856-785-0100
• Boat World Marina in Leesburg: 856-785-9878
• Four Star Marina in Leesburg: 856-785-1273
• Berry's Driftwood marina in Heislerville: 856-785-2293
• Andy's Marina in Heislerville: 856-785-0101
• Anchor Marina in Heislerville: 856-785-9899
• Haase's Marina in Heislerville: 856-785-7001

• Port of Call, Port Elizabeth, 856-327-5547
• Ike's Famous Crab Cakes, 856-825-2722
• Pine Grove Restaurant, Leesburg, 856-785-9200
• Maurice River Dinner, 856-327-4433
• George's Pizzeria, 856-785-0700