Author William J. Lewis encourages anyone interested in the local environment to follow his newest book, “Adventure With Piney Joe Exploring the New Jersey Pine Barrens.”
Lewis’ books can be found at places in New Jersey that focus on environmental education and awareness, including Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge and Wild Bird Oasis in Medford Township.
Originally from New Egypt in Ocean Township, where he still lives, Lewis describes himself as a “Jersey Boy.” He once resided in Pemberton and spent summers with his grandparents in Browns Mills. He joined the Marines before landing a job with the federal government.
Lewis traveled around the world and started a family, but he never forgot his Pine Barrens roots, so much so that in 2018, he decided to write a book dedicated to the area and the Pineys, which stretch 1.1 million acres across Barnegat, Hammonton, Waretown, Tuckerton, Chatsworth, Tabernacle, Shamong and other towns. Lewis refers to the area as the Evergreen Sea.
Lewis took to Facebook in 2019 to start a page he called Piney Tribe and created a closed Facebook group called Piney Tribe Off the Radar for members to share relative content.
Lewis first heard the term Piney in 2018 from the book, “The Pine Barrens,” by John McPhee. Released in 1968, it explained the historical but derogatory term Piney, once used to describe people who lived in the Pine Barrens. The book also opened Lewis’ eyes to the fact that the Pine Barrens inspired writers.
“So when you say what am I trying to do here, what am I trying to accomplish with all my writing, whether it be in the books, book talks, speaking engagements, on Facebook, on Instagram and stuff like that, it’s really to get people aware that Pineys still exist, Pineys like myself,” Lewis said.
“And I’ve met hundreds of other people and families there’s still people that cling to the word Piney, and it’s something to be proud of,” he added. “It’s part of their heritage; it’s who they are.”
Lewis’ book, “New Jersey’s Lost Piney Culture,” was released in 2021 and follows the rich history of the Pineys, what being one means, and the nature that makes the Pine Barrens what it is today. He also self-published a coloring book, travel diary and sketchbook guide through the Piney Barrens called “Piney Everlastings Volume 1,” also released last year.
“Adventure With Piney Joe Exploring the New Jersey Pine Barrens” is Lewis’ newest release. Published by the South Jersey Culture and History Center, it is all about exploring the Pine Barrens and keeping the area’s history in mind with folklore, native flora and places to explore.
“This is a guide for people to go out and see things, and they can do that with the book in hand,” Lewis explained. “And they don’t need somebody else to be around them.”
Lewis contends that once they experience the Pine Barrens, people will fall in love.
“I’d have to say my favorite part of the Pine Barrens is the fact that it is still today 1.1 million acres,” he marveled. “It’s got a big fence around it, not a physical real fence, but an imaginary fence boundary … and it’s managed in a way that it’s still going to be for future generations. The way it was when I was a kid.”
“Adventure with Piney Joe Exploring the New Jersey Pine Barrens” is available online at Pineytribe.com. To follow Lewis and the Piney Tribe community, visit the @pineytribe Facebook page.
