National Parks With T

The Pine Barrens➤

The Pinelands National Reserve, or Pine Barrens, in southern New Jersey was the nation’s first National Reserve. Congress established it in 1978 to protect over a million acres of oak-pine forests, wetlands, and historic towns. It also safeguards the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer and supports traditional uses like berry farming and outdoor recreation.

The Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge sits on the edge of the Pinelands in Medford. Each year, the refuge cares for thousands of native animals, rehabilitating them and releasing them back into the wild.

Aldora, the red-tail hawk is blind in his other eye after being hit by a car.

Jim and Betty Woodford founded the refuge in 1957 on 171 acres. Their daughter now leads the organization.

In the 1990s, the refuge received a preservation grant from the New Jersey Green Acres fund. The nonprofit focuses on education, wildlife rehabilitation, and habitat conservation. The refuge operates a wildlife hospital on site and outdoor housing for animals that cannot return to the wild.

Qwan, the barred owl, was there for both of my visits in 2016 and 2017. He was a senior citizen then, almost completely blind and the refuge’s most mellow ambassador.

Photo Session➤

Groups can meet the “education ambassadors” through an educational program. This program helps fund the refuge’s work. I visited twice with a photography group to photograph birds of prey in a natural setting.

During our visit, a volunteer told us each bird’s story. Most birds arrived after car accidents or injuries. Some are blind, some have damaged wings, and a few, like the Turkey Vulture, imprinted on humans.

Apollo, the turkey vulture became too acclimated to humans, preferring to steal hamburgers from backyard grills to scavenging carcasses.

Caretakers nurse the animals back to health while wearing coverings and using a bird puppet to prevent human imprinting.

Duster the barn owl retired from his ambassador duties in 2018

After our photo session, we explored the enclosures and walked a short trail around Cedar Run Pond.

2025 Update➤

Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge reached its highest patient count ever, becoming the busiest wildlife hospital in New Jersey. Volunteers and 27 interns contributed over 32,900 hours to support the animals, the grounds, and educational programs. The refuge added full-time veterinary care, hosted veterinary students from the new Schreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, and led 685 programs. Cedar Run’s growth shows the lasting impact of the Woodford family’s vision and its ongoing mission to protect wildlife, educate the community, and inspire people to care for the planet.

Pinelands Reserve Posts➤

Location: 4 Sawmill Road | Medford, New Jersey
Designation: Wildlife Sanctuary
Date designated/established: 1957
Date of my visit: January 31, 2016