(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Author, filmmaker and advocate William J. Lewis's compilations of the history, legends, flora and fauna of the Pine Barrens reaches its apogee with Preserving the Pines: New Jersey and the Origins of Environmentalism. Lovers of nature and culture will enjoy his discussion of his newest book in the Ocean County Library Tuckerton Branch on Monday, April 14, 2025. The event begins at 7:00pm.

Preserving the Pines is scheduled for publication on May 27. Avid readers and fans will be able to preorder copies during the presentation.

William’s chronicle of the Garden State’s prized natural resource now encompasses four volumes. New Jersey’s Lost Piney Culture (2021) is a guide to the people of the Pines. Adventure with Piney Joe (2022) is a guide to the landscape. South Jersey Legends & Lore – Tales from the Pine Barrens and Beyond (2024) is a guide to the mysteries and wonders of South Jersey. Preserving the Pines is a guide to the formation of this ecologically essential tract. William’s books are available at the Ocean County Library.

With hidden nuggets of history dripping from every page, Preserving the Pines has been characterized as the “unauthorized biography” of people, communities and places pivotal to the forming of the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, the first region in America to earn designation. The four-volume set can be viewed as the worthy successor to John McPhee’s 1967 The Pine Barrens, also available at the Ocean County Library.

William documents his observations and interviews of Pinelands explorers and experts can be found on his Piney Tribe website and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.  His 2023 film The Reluctant Piney and numerous audio and video profiles are catalogued on Linktree. 

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclTPines to attend this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Tuckerton Branch, 380 Bay Avenue, or call (609) 296-1470. See the full schedule of Library programs in the online Calendar of Events.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why they’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and https://theoceancountylibrary.org.