Galloway Township — At first glance, it might be hard to notice the impact of the government shutdown on the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Just 6 miles from Stockton’s campus, the shutdown can be felt from right inside the Galloway community.

Even as refuge services were inactive, the wildlife didn’t seem to notice, and visitors could still walk the trails; but, revenue has since been lost and even with the refuge reopening as of November 12, it will take time to recover.

“There is work to be done here as far as the maintenance […] but the wildlife comes and goes as they please,” said David Willey, a wildlife artist and regular visitor.

Upkeep for the refuge has been absent during the shutdown. The dirt roads have many divots and holes in them, created over time by vehicle traffic, and the area also saw heavy rain and the effects of Hurricane Melissa, further wearing down the road. The refuge staff was also unable to update the website or answer email inquiries; as of Thursday Nov. 13, digital platforms still had a shutdown notice posted.  

The closure has affected those who support the refuge. Joe Weinert, a board member of Friends of Forsythe, a partner group with the Refuge, said: “The gift shop in the Visitor Information Center is our primary source of revenue, and it has been closed since the beginning of the government shutdown. Each lost week, on average, costs us about 2% of our revenue.” 

Events, like the free jitney weekend tours, were cancelled. Since the Visitor Information Center was closed, Friends of Forsythe was forced to cancel two board meetings since that is where their meetings are hosted. Discussions and scheduling of further activities were also suspended. Visitors are always encouraged to donate to the wildlife refuge and Friends of Forsythe, and any amount helps the organizations.

More than 78% of Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is composed of coastal salt marsh, spanning 50 miles along the back bays of the New Jersey coast, from Barnegat Bay in Brick Township south to Reeds Bay, just outside Atlantic City. The refuge provides important habitat for all species, but it specializes in migratory birds; a recorded bird list with over 360 species sighted.

Despite the shutdown, the refuge still saw visitors, especially on the fall weekends. During a recent visit, the weather was warm, even in November. The forests and wetlands were quiet, with only the sounds of birds and rushing water present. Combined with a long, quiet road to reach the refuge, it was an escape from a busy life, even if it for a moment. Visitors took to the hiking trails and Wildlife Drive and still enjoyed the natural beauty of the park. Some visitors didn’t even realize that the shutdown had any impact on the refuge. They could still watch the birds or read about them on information boards. They could watch herons fishing, grass swaying, and even a bald eagle flying overhead. 

Open or closed, the wildlife will continue to hunt, forage, and reproduce, unbothered by human affairs. But, preserving that nature is also mankind’s responsibility, and the reopening of the government marked the welcome return of services to the refuge. 

This piece was published by the Press of Atlantic City on November 17 as part of an ongoing partnership with The Argo Student Newspaper.