Nature Reflections
Highlighting the personal stories, experiences, and/or connections to Cedar Run from our most loyal supporters and friends.
We interviewed Charles & Lauren McAfee, Cedar Run supporters, to hear about their connection with Cedar Run. Charles McAfee is a Financial Consultant who grew up in Moorestown, NJ, and his wife Lauren, is a stay-at-home Mom, born in Washington State and then migrated to Marlton, NJ where she grew up. Charles is an avid golfer and Philadelphia sports fan, and Lauren loves curling up with a good book and glass of wine. They enjoy the outdoors and you will catch them soaking up the sunshine on the summer weekends “down the shore” in Long Beach Island (LBI), NJ.
How did you first get involved at Cedar Run?
We first heard about Cedar Run from my co-worker, Lori J., who was previously a volunteer at Cedar Run. When she heard that we were moving to Medford back in 2017, she was excited to share so many great things about wildlife conservation. My wife and I attended our first Wine & Wildlife event shortly thereafter. This was a great opportunity for us to meet many of the staff, wildlife ambassadors and volunteers. It also allowed us to gain a better understanding of the mission, values, and great history of Cedar Run. It was remarkable to hear how many animals Cedar Run cares for each year and the tireless work that goes into the rehabilitation process. Since that day, we’ve always tried to be a loyal supporter and advocate for the wildlife refuge.
Can you share a personal experience or memory that highlights the impact of Cedar Run on your connection to nature and wildlife conservation?
Since our first Wine & Wildlife event, we now have three young children, a 6-year-old son & twin 3-year-old girls. We live close by, so we’ve been able to visit Cedar Run frequently with the kids. This has allowed them to develop a great connection with animals and nature at a very young age. Due to our many visits, our son has acquired an incredible interest and knowledge of so many birds. He can identify more birds than us and he knows so many of their bird calls, thanks to the Merlin Bird ID app. We now have multiple bird feeders around our home, including a Hummingbird feeder, a bird bath and a Bluebird house. From the spring into the summer this year, we watched a Bluebird family have multiple broods. The kids all enjoyed checking in on the Bluebirds throughout their nesting cycle and loved providing meal worms for the new babies to be fed by mom & dad. This connection all stemmed from Cedar Run.
As a supporter of Cedar Run, what specific initiatives or programs at Woodford Cedar Run do you find most inspiring and effective in promoting environmental education and wildlife preservation?
We’ve really enjoyed attending the Wine & Wildlife event each year, and the biggest fundraising event of the year. This is always a fun night that we cannot miss, filled with great food, wine and continuing to promote the great work of Cedar Run. We also enjoy bringing the kids to Autumn with the Animals, Owl-O-Ween and the You & Me Preschool programs. The kids love dressing up for Halloween and trick-or-treating throughout all the animal enclosures. All these programs have continued to spark their interest in animal care, the environment and wildlife preservation for the next generation.
Cedar Run emphasizes the importance of connecting people of all ages with nature. How have your interactions with Cedar Run contributed to your understanding of the natural world and your commitment to conservation?
Cedar Run has provided us with such a great outlet to connect with nature. We know how important it is to preserve the environment for our kids and future generations. The preservation of land throughout Medford is something that you don’t see in many other towns.
In what ways do you see your support contributing to the long-term goals of Cedar Run, and how do you envision Cedar Run’s role in shaping a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between people and the environment?
There are so many loyal supporters of Cedar Run. This collective effort is necessary to help provide the funding for the relentless work of the Hospital and rehabilitation of all the current & past patients/animals. We continue to try and support Cedar Run through donations, symbolic adoptions of the current residents, and attending as many events throughout the year as we can. We know these contributions are vital to the sustainability of Cedar Run. Through in-person visits, their website and social media outlets, you really get firsthand insight into what is currently needed and what proposed funding will be used for in the future. We hope Ember will have her enclosure built soon!
