The Magnesite Property lies at the heart of an area known earlier in this century as the Whitmer Stone Wildlife Sanctuary. Since that time the site has undergone tremendous human induced alterations. Southern Cape May County is North America's premier migratory bird junction. The Delaware Bay acts as a barrier during the southbound migration. Many birds, particularly neotropical migrants and raptors, pause and concentrate at Cape May Point before venturing across the expanse of bay water. No place in North America tallies greater numbers of osprey, peregrine falcon, merlin, coopers and sharp shin hawks. In addition to the migrants that use the area, the diverse habitats of the Magnesite Property also support an array of rare plants, animals, and natural communities. Two endangered species of bird, the piping plover (Charadrius melodus) and Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) use portions of the site for nesting. Two endangered plant species, drummond's rock cress (Arabis drummondii) and coast bedstraw (Galium hispidulum) are found on the property.

Pond Creek Meadow, also known as South Cape May Marshes, has been identified by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as "a unique ecosystem." Prior to 1917 Pond Creek was a free flowing tidal creek. In 1917 a tide gate was constructed at the mouth of the creek (now located on Magnesite Property) which resulted in the freshening of the Pond Creek Meadow. Two major consequences of changing the hydrology of the creek have been the invasion by Phragmites into the meadow, and the blockage of the stream to use by anadromous fish. Plans to re-open Pond Creek Meadow to some degree of tidal influence and thereby enable anadromous fish to once again use the meadow are under consideration. Re-opening Pond Creek Meadow to tidal influence will also be the first step in a Phragmites eradication program and will result in the elimination of mosquito breeding areas thus replacing the need for pesticide treatments.

From 1941 to 1983, Dresser Industries operated the Harbison Walker - Cape May Works, also known as the Northwest Magnesite Plant. Operations at the plant consisted of reacting softened, clarified sea water from Delaware Bay with limestone to produce a magnesium hydroxide solution. This solution was filtered and then fired in rotary kilns to produce magnesite refractory brick. The factory closed in 1983 and was demolished. Environmental contamination was cleaned up by Dresser Industries pursuant to the Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act (ECRA). The only remains of the plant are a 10' chain link fence surrounding the plant site, a water tower, and scars on the landscape including a "landfill" of process waste primarily consisting of waste magnesite and limestone. The alkalinity of the process raw materials and waste is high enough to prevent the establishment of native vegetation. A plan to restore native vegetation to the scarred industrial portion of the property is in the works.

Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area