“The Jersey Shore is the land in my bones. Set me in some other landscape, one of rolling hills, towering evergreen woodlands, or amid busy city streets and I’m reeling and disorientated, wondering from which direction the scent of saltwater will come.”

Area environmentalist, Audubon Society member, Monmouth County Parks System volunteer and housing advocate, Laura Whary Hardy, passed away peacefully on Aug. 7 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, surrounded by close family, “culminating a wonderful and fulfilling life of service on behalf of New Jersey’s endangered shore and woodland birds and plants.” She was 52.