 Dear
Members and Friends,
The conservation community is the lifeline of our planet and
we, at New Jersey Audubon Society, recognize the scope of our
responsibility and the significance of our successes, large and
small. Global warming, species extinction, declining air and
water quality, and forest degradation loom large. Yet rather
than buckle under the weight of our concerns, we are driven to
seek solutions, broaden awareness, and unite to strengthen our
resolve.
In 2006, New Jersey Audubon aligned with private landowners,
public agencies, civic groups, business leaders, legislators,
and other enlightened citizens to tackle issues that undermine
the environmental integrity of our state and our planet. The
pages of this annual report offer snapshots of our
accomplishments, a tribute to the loyalty and generosity of our
members, donors, and friends.
| Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the
only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead |
Renewed hope sweeps the sands of Delaware Bay, as a
moratorium on horseshoe crab harvests seeks to stabilize
declining crab populations and protect the Red Knot and other
migratory shorebirds that depend upon them. A stable source of
funding for restoration and stewardship begins a renaissance for
New Jersey’s parks and public lands following decades of
neglect. Fields of native grasses and wildflowers, such as
little bluestem, Indiangrass, spiked gayfeather and wild indigo,
conjuring images of our nation’s heartland, return to the Garden
State to benefit numerous threatened and endangered species. In
reviving the natural treasures of our past, we preserve a
lasting legacy for our future.
Human impact is reshaping our environment. Understanding what
is at risk, and why, is the essence of New Jersey Audubon’s
research and what drives our conservation goals. Forest ecology
studies point to habitat loss, overabundant deer, and the spread
of invasive species among the threats to the health of our
forests. Migration ecology, bird surveys, and radar technology
shed light on flight patterns and the distribution of wildlife,
providing clues to the effects of a changing landscape. New
Jersey Audubon actively supports measures that will restore the
health and balance of our ecosystems, among them the responsible
development of alternative energy. As renewable energy sources
such as wind power are developed, we examine the potential
effects on wildlife to ensure that the solution does not create
new problems.
Conservation is not the responsibility of a select few; we
must each take action to protect the resources we share.
Building awareness and an enlightened citizenry means reaching
out on many levels to share knowledge, spread wisdom, and
nurture ties to nature that cannot be broken. Beginning with
children, the future leaders of our world, New Jersey Audubon’s
education programs inspire curiosity, discovery, and respect for
the environment that sustains us. Teachers learn basic
ecological principals by studying local watersheds, applying
their understanding to practical uses in the classroom and
throughout the school community. Citizen science engages
college students, the corporate community, and seniors in
wildlife surveys, forest restoration, and stewardship activities
that forge personal connections and advance our conservation
mission. Festivals, field trips and eco-travel provide
unforgettable enrichment, reawakening our senses and spirit.
Please consider that behind every successful endeavor lies
enormous effort, the vigilant assessment and planning,
inexhaustible determination, fierce ingenuity, skill, and
unwavering support, without which we would only have our
dreams. As always, thank you for your trust in New Jersey
Audubon.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Gilmore
President
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