S2287

An Act designating the Pine Barrens Treefrog as the New Jersey State Amphibian, and supplementing chapter 9A of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

Whereas, The Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii) was first documented in New Jersey and was named for its habitat in the Pinelands, a unique 1.1 million acre ecosystem in southern New Jersey that supports a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are dependent on the special ecological conditions present in the Pinelands for their survival; and

Whereas, Although a specimen of the species was found in Georgia, established populations of the Pine Barrens Treefrog are only found in three locations worldwide: the panhandle area of Florida, the sandy hills of North Carolina and South Carolina, and the New Jersey Pinelands; and

Whereas, The vibrant green coloring of the Pine Barrens Treefrog, contrasted by a bold purple stripe with a white border down each side of the body and an orange patch behind each hind leg, make it one of the most beautiful amphibians in New Jersey and the nation; and

Whereas, The Pine Barrens Treefrog is commonly recognized as a symbol of New Jersey wildlife and of the New Jersey Pinelands, gracing the pages of many publications, as well as appearing on the Motor Vehicle Commission’s State Pinelands license plate and in renowned artist Andy Warhol’s 1983 screen print series of endangered species; and

Whereas, In order to thrive, the Pine Barrens Treefrog requires specialized sandy, acidic habitats with dense ground cover and shallow ponds, such as Atlantic white cedar swamps and pitch pine lowlands, that are rare elsewhere but common in the Pinelands region of southern New Jersey; and

Whereas, Because of vast expanses of protected habitat within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, the State serves as the largest stronghold for the Pine Barrens Treefrog, and this remarkable Treefrog is also a success story in the history of New Jersey wildlife preservation; and

Whereas, In 1979, the Pine Barrens Treefrog was listed by the State of New Jersey as an endangered species due to its declining population which was a direct result of habitat loss and the pollution of its breeding ponds; and

Whereas, Through wildlife preservation efforts for this special amphibian, the status of the Pine Barrens Treefrog was upgraded in 2003 from an endangered species to a threatened species, based on improved population numbers and a determination that its habitat in the State is well protected by the New Jersey Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan; and

Whereas, Designating the Pine Barrens Treefrog as the State Amphibian will further increase its public profile and will encourage efforts to ensure continued future conservation of the species, its habitat, and other valuable natural resources in New Jersey; and

Whereas, Because of its interesting history, its population density in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and its threatened species status, the Pine Barrens Treefrog represents the qualities of resilience and fidelity and is an exemplary choice for the State Amphibian; and

Whereas, Due to the uniqueness and importance of the Pine Barrens Treefrog and its Pinelands habitat, it is appropriate and fitting that the Pine Barrens Treefrog be granted special recognition; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii) is designated as the New Jersey State Amphibian.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill designates the Pine Barrens Treefrog as the New Jersey State Amphibian. The bill is in response to the advocacy of the Chemistry in Community classes of the Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, New Jersey. These students championing this special amphibian have brought awareness to the conservation concerns faced by environmentally challenged animals in the State such as the Pine Barrens Treefrog. The designation also has had the support of New Jersey wildlife specialists and organizations.

The Pine Barrens Treefrog is named for its habitat in the Pine Barrens region of southern New Jersey, also known as the Pinelands, where it was first found. The New Jersey Pinelands is one of only three locations worldwide where established populations of the Pine Barrens Treefrog are found, and the Pinelands serves as the largest stronghold for the species due to its vast expanses of protected habitat. The Pine Barrens Treefrog, once endangered and currently listed by the State as a threatened species, has been long recognized as a beautiful symbol of New Jersey wildlife. Affording it special recognition as the State Amphibian will help encourage conservation of the species, its habitat, and other valuable natural resources in the State.