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James Farm
       Restoration And Education

Located just a short drive from Bethany Beach, Delaware on Cedar Neck Road in Ocean View, the James Farm Ecological Preserve is an oasis of wild land on Indian River Bay.

From the sandy beach at low tide, you can walk through seven distinctive habitats; from the salty flats of the low marsh with its salt marsh cord grass and glasswort, through the shrubby high marsh with bayberry, marsh alder and salt marsh hay, into the shade of the loblolly pines, holly and red cedar of the maritime forest, into the deep shade of the hardwood forest under a canopy of southern red oak, hickory, sweet gum and sassafras, finally to emerge back into the sunshine in the meadows that were once farm fields.

The 150-acre James Farm property was gift to Sussex County from the late Mary Lighthipe, the last living descendant of the James family who had farmed the land for generations. She gave it in memory of her son, Harold, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident. She gave it with the condition that the property be used for environmental education and recreational activities, and that no permanent structures be erected there.

In the fall of 1998, the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays entered into an agreement with Sussex County to manage the property. Since that time, the CIB has worked with the surrounding community to create an ecological preserve. The preserve now features more than two miles of marked hiking trails, three observation platforms, a boardwalk beach crossing, wildflower gardens, an amphitheater, an informational kiosk, rest areas, and more than 4,000 trees purchased and planted in a USFWS “Partners in Wildlife” reforestation effort.

map
  • Click here for a larger version of the map above.
  • Click here for a map with aerial view.
  • Click here for a black & white trail map in PDF format.
  • A freshwater wetland area has been created adjacent to the intersection of two of our trails. This should be a good spot to see deer, ducks, reptiles and amphibians. . Stumps and a dead tree “crag” placed in the water to give variety and a head start to this “created” habitat. Next to the wetland is an observation blind for viewing wildlife. Because of the diversity of habitats and open space, James Farm is an excellent location for birding, particularly during spring and fall migrations.

    The public is invited to visit James Farm any day from sunrise to sundown, free of charge. Visitors are asked to carry out their trash. Pets are invited but must be leashed so that wildlife in the Preserve are not disturbed.

    The Center for the Inland Bays holds several events at James Farm throughout the year, including the Pig Roast in October and the Gardening for the Bays Native Plant Sale in May. School programs are held at James Farm in the spring and fall.

    For more information about the James Farm Ecological Preserve, please contact the office of the CIB at 302.226-8105 or E-mail restoration@inlandbays.org


  • GO BACK
  • Welcoming locals and visitors
    The CIB-managed James Farm Ecological Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset, 365 days-a-year.

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    Diverse Habitats
    From the bayside to marsh land, meadows
    and forests...

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