Big Brook Preserve
The Big Brook site consisting of 143.44 acres, has been recognized by Federal, State and local environmental specialists as one of the most unique environmental areas both in Monmouth County and New Jersey. Its uniqueness includes being long recognized as a major site for fossils of both the Cretaceous and Pleistocene ages (70-65 million years old). Many school groups, elementary through college, currently visit the resource each year, thus providing both educational, as well as scientific benef
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The Big Brook site consisting of 143.44 acres, has been recognized by Federal, State and local environmental specialists as one of the most unique environmental areas both in Monmouth County and New Jersey. Its uniqueness includes being long recognized as a major site for fossils of both the Cretaceous and Pleistocene ages (70-65 million years old). Many school groups, elementary through college, currently visit the resource each year, thus providing both educational, as well as scientific benefits. Major fossil types found at the site include hundreds of specimens ranging from sharks teeth (relatively common) to rare Cretaceous marine reptiles and Ice Age mastodons. The site also includes large sections of green sand deposits, used as a natural fertilizer, which are fully exposed for study. In addition, numerous historic bottles, tools and farm implements dating from pre-revolutionary times to the early 20th century have been found in and around the Big Brook area. The site is also very aesthetic and awesome, with a wide variety of flora and fauna, as well as being transverse with the Big Brook stream. Parking is in the lot on Hillsdale Road or along Laurelwood Drive.
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