Going Places with Dina Guzzardo
With summer here and many places still closed or operating with restrictions, it can be challenging to find activities to do with the family. So, now is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful environment we are so blessed to have access to in South Jersey. A great place to be able to do this is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (723 Great Creek Rd, Galloway, NJ 08205, United States). The refuge was originally founded in 1939 with the intention of protecting migratory birds as it is on an important Atlantic Flyway flight path. It now serves as an important habitat for a wide range of species and the tidal waters house nurseries, and spawning and breeding grounds for fish.
Although the primary concern of the refuge is to meet the habitat needs of the American black duck and the Atlantic brant, two species of bird, there are also a number of other animals that live there. Throughout the year, you can see resident species such as white-tailed deer. Around this time of the year, the ducklings hatch making it peak time for cuteness. Now is also an excellent time to see turtles sunning themselves by the water. Bald eagles are sometimes spotted using the refuge habitats although this is more likely in December time.
There are several ways to enjoy the refuge and take full advantage of everything there is to see. The most popular way to enjoy it is Wildlife Drive – an 8-mile, one-way, unpaved road which leads you through the heart of the woodlands and wetlands. There are plenty of photo ops including two observation towers that will enable you to spot the impressive wildlife with a birds-eye view. This is also a great trail to hike or cycle, but make sure you bring water with you.
The Leeds Eco-trail is a slightly shorter trail at 5 miles and is located between forest and salt marshes, offering visitors the unique opportunity to see life on the fringe of these two habitats. There are a number of shorter trails (less than a mile long) which are great for young kids and visitors that are less mobile. All trails provide the opportunity to see some incredible animals and fully immerse in nature. With permits, you can also go fishing and crabbing in the refuge.
They also offer environmental education for schools or groups wanting to find out more about the wildlife. This is an amazing way to engage students in nature and allow them to see some of the amazing wildlife that we are so lucky to have right on our doorstep.
The refuge is not strictly in one area but actually covers a large portion of the South Jersey coastline that include several different locations. Each location is slightly different and you can see a variety of nature. For example, the part of the refuge that is by the boardwalk is a great place to spot crabs during the summer. You can see them right from the boardwalk.
The staff at the refuge works tirelessly to ensure it is a thriving habitat for all of its inhabitants and so that people can enjoy it also. They conduct regular surveys and monitor population levels and habitat use to ensure it is in the best possible state for wildlife. As it is run by a highly experienced team of biologists, there is a small fee for park entrance. A private vehicle costs only $4 and a walker or cyclist costs $2.
So perhaps you would like to do more than just visit and actively get involved with the great work that they do. For budding biologists and conservationists, they offer summer internships. An internship with them gives you the opportunity to learn first-hand how they maintain the habitat by conducting surveys, monitoring populations of bird and plants, and assisting with environmental education to nurture the next generation of biologists. The deadline for this summer´s internships has passed, but keep an eye out on their website for information for next year. For a less formal way of getting involved, volunteering is a great way to help the staff achieve goals they would not have otherwise been able to. To volunteer, you can fill out an application form on their website. If you would like to make a donation, you can contact them through their Facebook page and they will give you more information on how to do this. For more information about everything you can see and do in the refuge, go to their website (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Edwin_B_Forsythe/).
The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge offers a fantastic opportunity to see all of the beautiful wildlife South Jersey has to offer, and is a great activity for you and the family to enjoy this summer.
Dina Guzzardo is the President and Executive Promoter of Dina Media Group LLC. Dina Media Group is an innovative cutting edge event production and marketing company that produces and promotes large events as well as a talent agency that manages some incredible talent.www.dinamediagroup.com
