this makes modest work carried out by stewards like winifred spar and the friends of roger’s wildlife refuge immensely valuable. the friends of roger’s refuge have tended to princeton, new jersey’s preserved marsh less than a mile away from the town’s pre-eminent campus for the last 55 years. they’ve built and reinforced bridges and towers, hacked away at invasive plant species and replanted natives in their place, cleaned trash, and advocated for the continued protection of roger’s wildlife refuge. 

the refuge has long been considered the premier site for birding across the state of new jersey, but these days it doubles as an active site for wildlife education to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. as bird populations rebound in the refuge, visitors, new and old, marvel at the sights and sounds long absent in the marsh. the friends of rogers wildlife refuge’s work demonstrates that a powerful solution to otherwise intractable issues is focusing on the wild spaces closest to home and encouraging our neighbors to do the same.

as the earth heats up, the climate justice movement strengthens its fight for a livable future.

the movement looks different for many. there are crowds of protestors walking to the u.s. capitol calling for change. protest happens off the streets too, in our own backyards, the ways we spend our money, how we manage our trash, and much more. it can look like teaching youth or farming sustainably or eating more plants. the more people that prioritize the environment today, the bigger the positive trend that can result.

our house is on fire and environmental activists are determined to put the fire out. they are determined, hopeful, and passionate about finding solutions. scroll through this photo essay for a look at those fighting to save our planet.