In mid-March, when most of New Jersey closed up and went quiet practically overnight, the state’s wildlife and its stewards carried on with their work: The salamanders and frogs began their spring migrations, and conservationists and nature educators collected data on their migratory paths. Reduced human activity allowed both groups to flourish in ways they have not for a long time, providing a respite for nature itself and for humans through connection with nature. 

Although it may have been easier for some of New Jersey’s nonprofit environmental organizations to suspend operations during the pandemic, they recognized their responsibility not just as wildlife stewards but as unique resources for people around the state. Conserve Wildlife Foundation, New Jersey Audubon, and Groundwork Elizabeth, for example, remained active to provide educational and recreational resources for New Jerseyans facing months of stress, fear, and loss.  

Stuck inside, people’s attention is for the birds

“Everyone is stuck inside for the most part. There’s no shortage of scary headlines every day,” said David Wheeler, Executive Director of CWF. “One of the areas that has really stood out for people as a needed respite is nature.” 

NJ Audubon saw the demand for connection to the outdoors reflected in the number of people who signed up for their annual World Series of Birding on May 9. The event became the first-ever virtual birding festival and turned out record numbers of avid and-- especially-- new birders. “People had to adhere to very strict rules,” to participate in the event, said Eric Stiles, CEO of NJ Audubon. “Despite that, we had record participation.” 

Birding as a "quarantine hobby" has not been limited to the outdoors in New Jersey. CWF’s Union County Falcon Cam, perched on Elizabeth’s County Courthouse, has seen increased internet traffic throughout the pandemic, according to CWF Wildlife Biologist Allegra Mitchell. 

“We’re starting to see some of these wildlife species become a little more comfortable because they’re not being as disrupted as much as they had been,” said Wheeler. 

Globally, stories of wildlife taking over typically busy city streets during the pandemic have garnered much attention. In New Jersey, the impact of reduced human activity is less drastic but may offer some relief for wildlife. 

Mitchell, who runs CWF’s Amphibian Crossing Project notes that reduced human activity might be beneficial to wildlife. “A decrease in traffic allows adult [amphibians] to migrate more safely than in previous years,” as the frogs’ and salamanders’ migration patterns take them across normally busy—and treacherous-- stretches of road. Mitchell acknowledged, however, that the “blip of a boost” that might result from safer migration this year would have little impact on the amphibian population in the long term.

Volunteering, Virtually

Volunteer-based conservation projects like the Amphibian Crossing Project had limited activity this year due to social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Still, nature education has received a boost as organizations move their resources to virtual platforms. 

Ayelen Lucia Crespo, Youth Director at Groundwork Elizabeth, has moved presentations and workshops online for her Green Team, a group of “young stewards learning, working and teaching about the environment.” 

Although the Green Team has not yet resumed parks and trail maintenance throughout Elizabeth and beyond, they have continued their stewardship work by drafting sustainability ideas for the city’s Master Plan.

Growing interest in community gardens

In the meantime, Crespo and her colleagues have been busy managing Groundwork Elizabeth’s numerous gardens and greenhouses throughout the pandemic. 

The community gardens supply nutritious food to Elizabeth’s food desert, where it can be hard for residents, especially in low-income communities, to access fresh fruits and vegetables. Groundwork Elizabeth’s urban gardening program includes an educational element, which has piqued many residents’ interest in local food systems and urban agriculture.

The non-profit usually sells its wares to Urban Griddle, an Elizabeth restaurant that had to close temporarily due to the pandemic. Groundwork Elizabeth has donated its crops to frontline workers and community centers instead. 

“The greenhouse work hasn’t stopped,” said Crespo, although there are fewer people, all working distantly, at each site.

Crespo said that Groundwork Elizabeth has heard increasing demand for virtual gardening classes during the pandemic as more people around the city become interested in growing their own food at home. 

Throughout months marked by uncertainty and upheaval, New Jersey residents have found ways to reconnect with nature, and have found support from wildlife and environmental organizations. “The demand for our services has spiked.” said Eric Stiles of NJ Audubon. “And the need for educating and preserving hasn’t changed.” 

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Cailley LaPara has reported for independent news sites including Spaceship Media and the Bushwick Daily.  She's a 2017 graduate of George Washington University (English and International Affairs) and lives in New Providence, NJ.