Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

4 Sawmill Rd.
Medford, NJ 08055
(856) 983-3329 • 988-7897 Fax
Internet: http://www.cedarrun.org

Located on the western edge of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, this beautiful 184-acre refuge features a wide variety of important habitat for our wildlife. Dry upland pine and oak forest, several cedar swamps, and a lake are home to many species of mammals and birds.

The area was once part of the large Braddock's Mill tract. The nearby Taunton Furnace got its fuel from these forests, bog iron was dug from the property, and blueberries and cranberries were once harvested on the banks of Little Cedar Run. The property has changed little until 1950, when Cedar Run Lake was created and a small cabin built.

In 1957 Elizabeth and James Woodford, owners of the property, built their permanent home at the lake. They conducted an intensive, year-round bird feeding program and preserved dead trees and untouched thickets as natural habitat. They added dozens of hand-made birdhouses. The Woodfords carried on environmental education programs and cared for injured wildlife, essentially creating the wonderful refuge we have today.

Now a non-profit corporation, the refuge carries on the tradition of the Woodfords. One of the largest Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers on the east coast, the refuge hospital cares for about 2,000 animals each year. Releasable animals are returned to their natural habitat, while those that would not survive in the wild find a permanent home here. Some are used as assistants in presentations. Deer, fox, hawks, owls, snakes, turtles, geese and others have been treated here.

Family education programs range from nature tours to formal classes on pine barren flora and fauna. Wilderness Survival classes can be attended almost every week. Self-Guided Tours of the animal compound can be taken. Lectures, presentations, and travel programs are offered. Call for details.

The Elizabeth Woodford Pine Barrens Education Center features hands-on exhibits for children, along with small live animals. Visitors are encouraged to hike the one-mile trail around Cedar Run Lake to see the live animals in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

School Groups and others have a rich opportunity here to learn about wildlife and our environment. The staff will work with teachers to develop a great program for any age level. Programs can be conducted indoors, at the Elizabeth Woodford Pine Barrens Education Center, or outdoors on the beautiful grounds.

Hours: General public can visit on Monday through Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1 to 4pm. Closed most major holidays. Call if in doubt.

Admission: Adults: $5.00, Children $3.00, Ages 3 and under FREE. Additional fees may apply for educational programs.

Reservations: 2 weeks.

Lunch: Picnic area available.

Handicapped: Wildlife compound and Nature Center accessible.

Directions: Rt. 30 East to Rt. 70 East to Marlton. Rt. 73 South about 1 mile. Turn left onto Marlton Pkwy., which becomes Taunton Rd. (CR 544). After about 3 miles turn right onto Hopewell Rd. About 1½ miles to W. Centennial Dr. Follow this road around to Borton Rd. Turn right and then turn left onto Sawmill Rd.

Time: 30 - 60 minutes east of Philadelphia.

Nearby: Garden State Discovery Museum , Johnson's Corner Farm , Medford Leas Barton Arboretum .