 When the remnants of Glacial Lake Passaic, the Great Swamp that abutted Dodge's estate, was targeted for development as an airport by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, nearby citizens formed the "Jersey Jetport Site Association" in 1959 to protect it by purchasing properties to assemble for donation to the government as a federal park.Dodge, being close to the area and fiscally capable, joined their efforts.Dodge was one of the first trustees of the "North American Wildlife Foundation" that completed the acquisition of enough of the Great Swamp to protect the massive natural resource.