On 20 June 2001, Hope Sawyer Buyukmihci, co-founder and director of Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, died peacefully in her sleep at her beloved Refuge. She was 88 years old and had spent the last 41 years nurturing and guarding this haven for indigenous animals and plants.
Years before she and her husband Cavit founded Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, Hope had yearned for a place to go where animals and plants would be protected and where she could study them in their natural habitat. In 1961, she and Cavit bought 85 acres of pristine marsh and woodland in southern New Jersey and her dream unfurled. Over the next 41 years, she became an expert on all sorts of wildlife, but the beaver and the bluebird in particular, and expanded the Refuge to its present size of about 540 acres. In 1970, she created Beaver Defenders, the first major beaver protection organization in the world. She and Cavit were instrumental in banning the use of leghold traps in New Jersey.
Hope was an artist and writer, too. In addition to the numerous published and unpublished works of wildlife art, she wrote the books Unexpected Treasure and Hour of the Beaver, and co-authored Beaversprite: My Years Building an Animal Sanctuary with Dorothy Richards. These books dealt with wildlife conservation in general and beavers in particular. She also wrote for the AV, published by the American Anti-vivisection Society as well as newspapers and other print media.
Sarah Summerville has graciously accepted the onerous task of continuing in Hope's footsteps, directing and protecting Unexpected Wildlife Refuge. Knowing that Sarah was ready, able and willing to do this gave Hope considerable peace in the last few months of her life.
Hope touched the hearts of many human beings. In her honor, we have set up a special page on which will be linked the thoughts and tributes of others who want to express their sentiments on Hope. Send your words to her son, Nedim, at nedb@mindspring.com.
Financial memorial contributions may be sent to Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 765, Newfield, N.J. 08344.