“DIVINE WORD”: Submissions are due by April 22 for “Voices for the March,” the 10th juried photography exhibit presented by the Friends for Abbott Marshlands. The exhibit will be on view June 5 through September 18, 2022 at the Tulpehaking Nature Center in Hamilton. (Photo by Ann Darlington)

The nonprofit Friends for Abbott Marshlands has announced a call for art for “Voices for the Marsh,” its 2022 biennial, 10th juried photography exhibit. It is juried by Al Horner of New Jersey Pinelands photographic fame, and Pat Coleman, naturalist and president of the Friends.

Submissions are due by Earth Day, April 22, with the exhibition running June 5 through September 18, 2022. The venue is Tulpehaking Nature Center’s galleries at 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. The show provides an opportunity for both fine art photographers and local hobbyists to capture the cultural and ecological richness of the marshlands and participate in the Friends’ efforts to build awareness and support for the protection and stewardship of the marshlands. The prospectus is available at https://abbottmarshlands.org.

The Abbott Marshlands are a critical natural and cultural resource located in central New Jersey along the Delaware River between Trenton and Bordentown, including Hamilton. Its 3,000 acres of open space include the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh on the Delaware River and surrounding lowland and upland forests. Hiking the trails on the Abbott Marshlands’ preserved lands during the pandemic has meant so much to local communities during this challenging time. The Tulpehaking Nature Center provides educational resources, answers to questions, and bathrooms for the public. There are free weekly and monthly group walks with registration at rotating locations between Watson Woods, Spring Lake at Roebling Park, Northern Community Park, Bordentown Bluffs with Crosswicks Creek Water Trail, and D&R Canal State Park between Bordentown and Trenton. Another location will be added soon in Point Breeze State Park, the historic former estate of Joseph Bonaparte, and most recently, the Divine Word Missionary.

The Friends for the Abbott Marshlands have organized and sponsored a variety of programs like the photography exhibit with the intent of educating people about the marsh. Programs have included field and canoe trips, trail maintenance and clean-up activities, symposia, and Inspirations Showcase. In 2022, they hope to celebrate in person the 20th anniversary of the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands, a team of volunteers dedicated to maintaining trails, trash clean up, helping with tree or pollinator plantings, and leading group walks and specialty talks.