During his lifetime, Harry J. Burlington made outstanding contributions to wildlife management in New Jersey. He was appointed a member of the New Jersey Fish and Game Commission in 1920 and elected President the following year, in 1921. He retained this position until 1933, after which he was elected Executive Secretary of the organization, a position he continued to be re-elected to until his death in 1946.

The following exerpt was taken from: History of the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife is a professional organization dedicated to the management and conservation of the state's fish and wildlife resources. The Division has a rich heritage dating back more than 100 years to 1892 and the creation of a commission form of wildlife administration with an appointed, salaried Fish and Game Protector. This was an addition to nine county wardens who were first authorized in 1871. (For a detailed history of wildlife law enforcement in NJ see the feature article.)

Before the turn of the century there was not widespread support of wildlife laws. In fact, there was much resentment against these laws. This is borne out by the fact that before 1900, the first two wardens put on the job were shot to death within several years of being appointed.

1926 - The Governor is requested to take up with Federal authorities the possibility of acquiring old vessels to sink offshore to enhance fishing. The Fish and Game Commission President, H.J. Burlington, informs wardens that "education...has done more for conservation than all the arrests that have been made previously." Hon. Herbert Hoover, Secretary of Commerce and soon to be president, cites New Jersey as having "done wonders" with its hatchery and is an example for other states to follow.

George C. Warren and H. J. Burlington compiled THE OUTDOOR HERITAGE OF NEW JERSEY, Fish and Game Commission, Camden, New Jersey, 1937, B&W and color ill., 78pp, good+, maroon "leatherette" cloth (hardcover) light edgewear, The story of the restoration of wild game to New Jersey woods and of game fish to New Jersey waters. The book can be purchased on Amazon