Encroachment of the New Jersey Meadowlands

The thirteen square miles of wetlands stretching from Teterboro to Kearny have been significantly stripped for early farming, dump sites, and transportation routes to and from New York City. For decades the Meadowlands were viewed as a “wasteland” that should be reclaimed and made “useful.” This series combats the historical perspective of a frontier. The belief that it is expansive and the conquering of land was equally justified as it was inevitable. The Meadowlands is home to over 500 species, acting as an essential breeding and resting ground for migrating birds – we have deemed them as insignificant. In the Meadowlands, sounds of birds are interrupted by those coming from nearby highways. Layers of infrastructure are juxtaposed against the foreground of wildlife and landscape. Planes constantly fly overhead, alongside waterfowl. Animals live in makeshift homes due to the confiscation of natural shelters. I felt the urgency to photograph those moments of an ecosystem striving to persevere despite all that challenges it. I’ve been warned about climate change consistently throughout my education in New Jersey, however, I have yet to see local ecosystems prioritized over economic gain. Encroachment of the New Jersey Meadowlands, highlights the tension between mankind and vital habitat. This series emphasizes the pressure put on the Meadowlands and how in spite of that, it remains a beautiful refuge fighting for its inhabitants. It’s time that we fight for them too