The Garden State Icons!
New Jersey.- The State We’re In column by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation.
Symbols of The Garden State
New Jersey may be one of the smallest states in the nation, but our natural heritage is anything but modest. Tucked between two bustling metropolitan areas is a landscape teeming with life – human and otherwise – a fact that’s echoed in our official state symbols. From the American goldfinch to the Northern red oak, these symbols reflect our landscape, our past, and the wild neighbors that share our state.
The American Goldfinch: A Flash of Yellow in the Garden State
The American goldfinch was named our state bird in 1935. During the tough times of the Great Depression, people saw something uplifting in this bright little bird. Males turn a brilliant yellow in summer, a natural match for blooming sunflowers and thistles, their favorite foods. Unlike many songbirds that nest in early spring, the goldfinch waits until late summer to raise its young, synchronizing with the peak of seed-producing plants.
Even in our neatly trimmed suburbs, they’re proof of Mother Nature’s vibrant touch. American goldfinches thrive in open fields and wild little patches – the kinds of places you can find tucked all around New Jersey.
The Northern Red Oak: Symbol of Strength
New Jersey designated the Northern Red Oak as the state tree in 1950 – and it’s a fitting choice! The tree was selected for its strength, dignity, structural beauty, and long life. The species grows tall and sturdy across our region, from the Highlands to the Pine Barrens, and the wide branches host nesting birds. The trees turn a dramatic red in autumn and drop recognizable acorns that, despite their bitter taste, feed deer, turkeys, and squirrels. The Lenni Lenape ground them with other types of acorns to make flour.
This keystone species is critical to many forest ecosystems. Like the people of New Jersey, red oaks are adaptable, tough, and deeply rooted. In fact, the red oak is nicknamed the “mighty” oak because of its strong, deep root system which holds the soil on slopes and ridges, resisting erosion and time.
The Violet and the Honeybee: Small but Mighty
Our state flower since 1913, the common blue violet, is as unassuming as it is beautiful. Found in shady lawns and woodlands, it quietly blooms each spring. Even though these tiny plants are considered “shy,” they are adaptable perennials that support pollinators like the great spangled fritillary, whose caterpillars rely on violets as a food source.
Speaking of pollinators, let’s not forget our state insect, the honeybee! They were officially honored in 1974, thanks in part to the efforts of schoolchildren. Honeybees pollinate a wide range of crops, making them essential to New Jersey’s agricultural economy. Their decline serves as a warning: the natural world is delicately balanced, and even small creatures play a big role in the larger system and need protection.
A Call to Stewardship
It’s easy to dismiss state symbols as trivial mascots. But behind each designation lies a decision to recognize and celebrate the natural life that makes New Jersey unique. They’re messengers and reflections of our hopes and values.
In a time when climate change and habitat loss threaten biodiversity, it’s worth asking: What will we leave behind? Will the next generation still see goldfinches flitting among wildflowers? Will red oaks still tower over our parks and neighborhoods?
Knowing our state symbols and the natural history behind them reminds us that New Jersey isn’t just the Turnpike or the boardwalk at the Shore. We live in a state of deep roots, bright wings, and natural vitality that we treasure and must protect.
To learn more about how you can help preserve New Jersey’s natural resources, visit the New Jersey Conservation Foundation at www.njconservation.org or reach out to us at info@njconservation.org.
