Migration
At John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Philadelphia, PA
Photo credit: Sarah Kavage
Artist: Sarah Kavage
Project: Water Spirit
Completed: April 2021
Assistants: Nola Latty, Hannah DeClercq
Carpentry: Robert Zverina
Community Liaison: Priscilla Bell
Special thanks to: The Mobilize Green Youth Crews and the entire staff at the refuge
About
MIGRATION is a series of 4 artful benches in and around John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, inspired by the land's bird life. Located along a major bird migration route, the refuge’s wetlands and plentiful vegetation are used by birds as a resting place in the spring and fall.
Each bench-sculpture is built with phragmites reed harvested from the refuge by volunteers and the Mobilize Green youth crew. Phragmites is an invasive plant that is prominent at the Refuge, and the harvests contributed to efforts to restore native habitat. The movement of plants, people, and animals is a constant throughout history. Phragmites is native to Europe and the Middle East, with many traditional uses. The Phragmites that dominates many wetlands in the US today was likely introduced with European colonization, and followed disturbed ecosystems and transportation networks across the continent.
Visit
There are 2 large winged benches in the grassy lawn close to the visitor center, 1 in the pollinator meadow between the parking lots, and 1 overlooking the water on the Wetlands Trail (close to the observation tower).
Accessibility info
All 4 benches are located on grassy areas a few steps away from level pathways. The Wetlands Trail is gravel; the others are paved.
Gallery
Photo credits: Sarah Kavage and Shelly Spector
