The Hidden Gem of the Pinelands: Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

For nearly 70 years, Cedar Run has provided “nature for all,” serving as both a community resource and a leader in wildlife care. At the heart of its mission is a vision that every animal treated—whether sick, injured, or orphaned—has an opportunity to return home. Through this work, Cedar Run fosters a deeper sense of environmental stewardship across generations, empowering individuals to protect the natural world around them.

Cedar Run is home to the largest and busiest wildlife rehabilitation hospital in the tri-state region, caring for more than 7,900 native animals each year. With a 24/7 drop-off service available 365 days a year, the hospital serves as a critical lifeline for wildlife impacted by habitat loss, human activity, natural disasters, and disease. From cases of orphaned young and nest destruction to illnesses like avian influenza (HPAI) and distemper, Cedar Run provides expert, compassionate care with the goal of returning animals back to their natural habitats. This essential service is provided free to the public and operates without any state or federal funding, this is made possible entirely through the generosity of the community.

Beyond rehabilitation, Cedar Run offers a dynamic and growing environmental education program, hosting more than 680 programs annually and reaching over 22,000 children each year. Through on-site experiences, school visits, and interactions with resident wildlife ambassadors, participants gain hands-on learning opportunities that inspire curiosity, respect, and responsibility for the environment.

Open year-round, Cedar Run invites visitors to explore its Nature Center and over three miles of scenic trails, as well as its wildlife housing area, where non-releasable animals serve as ambassadors for their species. These permanent residents provide powerful, up-close experiences that deepen understanding and compassion for wildlife that might otherwise go unseen.

More than a refuge, Cedar Run is a place of connection, a place to learn, to explore, and to belong. It is your place away from home, your place in the wild.