While reflecting on my encounters with the National Wildlife Refuge system,
 I realized how beautiful and how vital these protected ecosystems are.
I have discovered how important birds are to these wild places and how interesting and how amazing birds can be.
 Learning that funding is being cut for these wild places is very upsetting and is truly a mistake.
One morning, I watched the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. While looking at the beautiful colors of the sky
and watching the birds flying over the ocean, I became connected with nature. Never have I felt so alive.

Bethany Stephan