In 1993 by public law (PL 103-162), over 35 miles of the maurice river and its tributaries (muskee, manumuskin, and menantico rivers) were designated as wild and scenic rivers, components of the…

In 1993 by public law (PL 103-162), over 35 miles of the maurice river and its tributaries (muskee, manumuskin, and menantico rivers) were designated as wild and scenic rivers, components of the national park system, for their outstanding natural and cultural resources (orvs). The wild scenic maurice river is a partnership river, with a unique management strategy through long-term partnerships between the national park service (NPS) and local watershed organizations. CU maurice river (cumr), a conservation 501 (c)3 based in southern new jersey, is the wild scenic maurice river partner organization charged with implementing the 2001 maurice river comprehensive river management plan (crmp) via a cooperative agreement with NPS. Sensitive joint-vetch (aeschynomene virginica) is one of the orvs that cumr is charged with protecting. The wild and scenic manumuskin river houses the worlds largest and most viable stand of the federally listed and globally rare sensitive joint-vetch. This stand is currently being threatened by invasive species encroachment and habitat changes resulting from sea level rise. This project aims to enhance the management of sensitive joint-vetch by halting the spread of competing invasive wetland flora species and assisting the population to transgress upstream through propagation and reseeding within the same system. CU maurice river will leverage its connections within the wild and scenic riverfront property owner community as well as its professional contacts within local conservation circles to execute this project successfully and, as a result, improve the management of sensitive joint-vetch.