John McPhee Helped Preserve New Jersey Pinelands

The 1968 publication of The Pine Barrens catalyzed legislative efforts to protect the region from massive development.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in National Parks

Screen-print poster illustration of a dense pine forest with dappled sunlight, evoking the protected New Jersey wilderness. — John McPhee's 1968 book The Pine Barrens was a key influence in the successful effort to protect the New Jersey Pinelands from large-scale commercial development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In 1968, author John McPhee published the influential book The Pine Barrens, which documented the unique landscape of southern New Jersey. His work challenged negative perceptions of local residents and provided the momentum for government leaders to halt plans for a massive urban sprawl.

Why it matters

The book served as a crucial catalyst for state and federal action to block a proposed 51-square-mile jetport and city for 250,000 residents. It ultimately ensured the survival of a million-acre ecosystem by framing it as a vital cultural and environmental asset.

The Pinelands region encompasses roughly 1 million acres, including 800,000 acres of forestland and the 3,000 square-mile Kirkwood-Cohansy aquifer. Portions of this protected area include the 34,000-acre Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.

The players

John McPhee

He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for his detailed long-form journalism.

Brendan Byrne

He served as the Governor of New Jersey and championed the preservation of the Pinelands.

The details

McPhee documented the lives of inhabitants and the distinct ecology of the area, refuting claims that the population was isolated or degenerate. His narrative empowered Governor Brendan Byrne to pursue the 1979 Pinelands Protection Act after the establishment of the Pinelands National Reserve in 1978.

During the 1960s, officials proposed a massive jetport and a city for 250,000 people.
John McPhee published the book The Pine Barrens in 1968.
The Pinelands National Reserve was established in 1978 as the first of its kind.
Governor Brendan Byrne signed the Pinelands Protection Act into law in 1979.
Buzby's General Store in Chatsworth closed in 2024.

Roadmap

The establishment of the Pinelands National Reserve marked a shift in land management that prioritized regional preservation over industrial expansion. This model set a precedent for how state and federal authorities could collaborate to protect vast, interconnected ecosystems from large-scale development.

Visitors to the area can explore the 34,000-acre Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, which serves as a major hub for recreational activity. While historic sites like Buzby's General Store are now closed, the region remains open for those looking to experience the unique ecosystem preserved through these legislative efforts.

The takeaway

The preservation of the Pinelands demonstrates how narrative journalism can fundamentally alter the trajectory of regional development. Protecting large landscapes requires both a committed public narrative and the subsequent enactment of strict legal boundaries.