I’m an ecological restoration scientist working in the New Jersey Meadowlands. As co-director of a research and restoration institute, my main focus is on projects that assist in the recovery of damaged wetlands. I contribute through science, yes—but also through stewardship. For me, it’s about paying attention to urban land that has been ignored or exploited, and recognizing the possibility of recovery.

The ecosystem itself inspires me. The Meadowlands are scrappy and beautiful and complex and thriving—despite everything that’s been done to them. I’m inspired by the idea that land can heal, if we let it, and that humans might be able to assist in that recovery. My work is guided by a belief that we cannot simply “manage” our way out of past neglect and abuse. Too often, humans have damaged ecosystems by trying to shape them to better serve us. Instead, I want to follow the lead that nature provides, and celebrate the gifts these lands and resources naturally offer if only we give them the chance.

The problem I’m working against is a long history of environmental neglect. The Meadowlands were used as a dumping ground for decades, their wetlands drained, filled, and degraded. My role is to assist in restoring biodiversity and to help create the conditions where this land—and the species that depend on it—have the opportunity to thrive again.

In this work, I find peace and reverence. I get to witness the quiet resilience of nature and play a small role in its renewal. That gives me hope—for these wetlands, and for our relationship with the natural world.