I recently joined the board of a non-profit organization called “Friends of Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge” which, as the name implies, is a group dedicated to supporting the mission of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey.

The Refuge

What makes Forsythe unique is that it is the largest national refuge in New Jersey, with more than 48,000 acres of mostly coastal salt marsh wetlands. Located just north of Atlantic City, it is an important layover along the Atlantic Flyway, a pulsating hub of biodiversity and an important link in seasonal bird migration. To the untrained eye, the marshes may look serene, but leaning in reveals a living tableau bustling with movement and life.

Before discovering Forsythe in 2018 I hadn’t really given too much thought about photographing wildlife, having been focused as a photographer more on travel, street photography, and landscapes. But on that first day, in October at the height of fall migration, I was astounded by what I saw: thousands upon thousands of birds, in the air, foraging in the shallows, sleeping on the sand banks, doing the work that birds do. I fell hard for the birds, and came to enjoy just being out there with them. The variety of species is at times hard to comprehend: multiple species of egrets, herons, bitterns, gulls, terns, ducks, geese, plovers and sandpipers, all making Forsythe, at least for some, their temporary home.

In the years since that first visit, Forsythe has also become not only a source of inspiration but a personal sanctuary. What started as a simple day trip to explore the peak of fall bird migration turned into something far larger, sparking a personal commitment to the conservation of this exceptional refuge. Each visit reminds me that nature is perpetually in transition, adapting, flourishing—even under strain. That is why, when the opportunity arose earlier this year to join the board of Friends, I jumped at it. It was a chance to give something back to the place that has had such a significant influence on me.

The Fragility of Wilderness

Yet, as stunning as Forsythe is, it sits on a precarious edge, like so many natural treasures. Like wild spaces globally, it faces threats both seen and unseen. Climate change is altering migratory patterns and habitats. Urban development creeps perilously close to its boundaries. Funding shortfalls from governmental bodies have diminished resources for conservation initiatives, leaving communities to fill in the gaps.

Forsythe’s story is not unique to New Jersey or even to the United States. Across continents, sanctuaries everywhere are caught in similar binds. From South Africa’s reserves to Brazil’s rainforests, the urgency is the same. Governments often falter in their commitments, leaving the burden to non-profits, local communities, and passionate individuals.

What is Good is Given Back

Back in the day, when John Kennedy and I were running Essential Music in New York (an organization that promoted experimental American music) our motto was “What is good is given back”. Meaning, we considered our efforts as a kind of pay-back for everything that we as musicians had received from the many composers and musicians that had blazed the trail before us.

Now, with the assault being waged by the Federal government on our country’s precious natural treasures, our wildlife refuges and national parks, it is falling to us the people to protect and support those wild places. Whether it is serving on a board or simply contributing financially, even modestly, the future survival of these sacred places, critically important to the survival of many diverse species, will depend to the extent that we the people step up to fill the void being left by our administration’s depravity.

This is not just a New Jersey story, not just a US story. In my travels around the world I see the same challenges everywhere. The truth is, these wild places can’t sustain themselves. They rely on the collective action of people who care enough to ensure that what is good doesn’t just persist, but thrives.

How Can We All Help?

Every step toward conservation matters, and there are multiple ways you can help wild spaces near you to continue their missions.

Contribute Financially: Your donations, no matter the size, play a critical role in sustaining initiatives for habitat development and species monitoring.
Volunteer Your Time: Whether serving on the a board or helping organize community clean-ups, your presence makes an impact.
Spread the Word: Share the story of your local wild spaces with others through social media or personal advocacy. The more people know, the stronger our community for conservation becomes.

Wild spaces like Forsythe don't just inspire us; they remind us that our actions hold the power to shape the future. What is good must indeed be given back.

Forster's Tern, Forsythe 2021 — *Forster’s Tern, Forsythe 2021*

Forsythe: What is Good is Given Back

The Backstory: The Yanqi Lake Series