The Photo Group, one of the first committees created when the Friends of the Heinz Wildlife Refuge was established in the mid 1990’s, consisted of just a few people interested in nature photography. Many regularly took the refuge’s “photo walks” that I was leading at the time. I thought we could serve the fledgling FOHR, and the refuge, through our photo skills and suggested we become a committee under their umbrella. We eschewed bylaws, officers, and individual dues by NOT designating ourselves as a “club”. It has worked beautifully over the years. Members must simply keep up their yearly FOHR membership and contribute, as time allows, in one of our many programs and/or needs of the refuge staff.

Today, the FOHR Photo Group not only provides breathtaking images and video for interpretive displays, environmental education and public outreach, but offers its “Learning about the Environment Through the Lens” or "Thru the Lens" (TTL) program for middle to high school age students in the greater Philadelphia area.

Once or twice annually students are invited for a half day each of classroom, field, and creative display work with the guidance of Photo Group mentors. Along with their individual displays the students also work on a collective display to build a sense of teamwork.

In addition to learning the basics of photography, an environmental educational component of the the program is taught where students learn the history of the refuge and Tinicum Marsh and its role in the Darby Creek Watershed and Delaware Estuary. Students not only gain a sense of place, but a better understanding of the natural interconnections in the watershed. The entire curriculum was developed by the Photo Group.

Students are teamed up with a Photo Group mentors, who guide them through field work, photo composition and creativity – skills that only experience and experimentation can hone. I have always believed it is that human connection that can only be appreciated as one generation hands down to another, what may be a lifetime of trial and error, resulting in a wealth of insights that no computer chip could ever convey or embellish.

Recently the TTL program has been incorporated into a refuge "Photo Summer Camp". Again, Photo Group mentors, along with refuge staff, work with the campers. It runs for a full week with "campers" actually putting together individual electronic presentations of what they have photographed and learned for family and friends on the their last day.

The Photo Group also sponsors the annual "Nature Photo Contest". It is opened to all and awards are given in three age categories; children, teens, and adults. Winners are announced at the refuge's annual "Cradle of Birding" Festival each September and their work is exhibited for about a month in the visitor center.

In addition to the TTL program, summer camp, and photo contest another large undertaking for the Group has been the development of a “Traveling Photo Exhibit”. The exhibit consists of about 35 mounted, matted and framed photos shot by Photo Group members. The exhibit showcases the habitats, flora, and fauna of the refuge. It is booked at regional venues to promote the refuge and when not off-site it often graces the refuge's Cusano Environmental Education Center.

The Photo Group is non-competative and meets at 10AM on the third Sunday of January, April, July, and October at the Cusano EE Center. When weather premits members often meet at 8AM to spend time together out in the field. Meetings include catching up on old and new business, showing images, and special programs when available. Off-site trips are occasionally held to other refuges and natural areas.

I have found there never seems to be a lack of energy or enthusiasm for photography, the refuge, and the natural world as a whole by these people. They are as diverse a group as you could ever find, and those differences make the Group exciting. The Group has been a haven for learning, exchanging ideas, creating lasting friendships, and serving the Heinz Refuge. They may be the perfect example of, “give and you shall receive”.

Refuge Manager, Gary Stolz, has said, “The Photo Group has been an invaluable asset to the refuge. Its members have given an amazing amount of time and talent. Many also contribute to the refuge in other ways such as being involved with refuge projects and always giving us outstanding materials for use in public relations, interpretive displays and documentation. We thank them for their time, talents and dedication to the refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System.”

And I thank them for all the joy, admiration and friendship they have given me for all these years. I hope that what I have written here can express to all of them my sincere pride and thanks to all of them for what they have contributed. Without them there would be no Photo Group.