By Andrea K. Hammer
During a high-wind Earth Day celebration at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) Environmental Park in Egg Harbor, N.J., the impact of climate change and power of Mother Nature continued to grip center stage at the 33rd annual event.
A massive crowd battled swirling road dirt after passing mounds of compost and a mountain of recycled materials from neighborhood collections, providing visual evidence of collected cardboard boxes and plastic bottles piled up in one location. Struggling to clear blinding dust from their eyes before reaching topsy-turvy tents and displays, visitors discovered extended pathways filled with vendors selling plants, earth-friendly items and more as well as dedicated volunteers from wildlife refuges.
One major highlight of the event was learning about the Sea Turtle Recovery hospital in West Orange, N.J. Located within the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, the non-profit organization raises awareness of the endangerment of the species and rehabilitates sea turtles injured throughout New Jersey. According to Co-Executive Officer Bill Deerr, Sea Turtle Recovery has rehabbed 132 turtles, and 21 are currently in the hospital.
“We helped a 250-pound turtle who was in the hospital for 15 months before release,” he said before explaining that food supplied during rehabilitation includes restaurant-quality fish, squid, shrimp and crab. Sea Turtle Recovery, which was recently featured on The Today Show, operates with the help of federal funding, grants and vital donations.
Two volunteers at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, N.J., answered questions from captivated adults and curious children. Visitors gathered around the table for a close look at a live turtle and owl, which could not be released after 7 years of rehabilitation because of a head injury. Other members from the Unexpected Animal Refuge in Newfield, N.J., committed to protecting 767 acres of pine lands so animals and plants have the opportunity to thrive, described their passion for this work and interest because of a family farming history.
The Earth Day event also featured demonstrations at the recycling center, garden-area activities and amphitheater workshops. Notable ones included a gem and minerals show, a recycled art workshop, a session with Slow Food South Jersey, a rain barrel demonstration and an educational talk about edible plants in South Jersey. Some visitors were fortunate to pick up free dogwood and birch seedling trees as well as corn, squash and been seeds while supplies lasted.
To learn more about the rehabilitation of sea turtles at Sea Turtle Recovery, see https://seaturtlerecovery.org. For more information about Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, visit https://www.cedarrun.org. Discover more about Unexpected Animal Refuge at https://www.unexpectedwildliferefuge.org.
Andrea K. Hammer, the founder and director of Artsphoria Media Group, has written articles that have appeared in international publications.