The spirit of EarthShare New Jersey lies in the organization’s partnerships. The partners of EarthShare New Jersey encompass the conservation and protection of land, water, air, and wildlife across the state. They also take strides forward for environmental justice in our laws and communities. Each day, every EarthShare NJ partner is making change for not only the environment but for the people of New Jersey because we thrive when our environment thrives. While these nonprofits are collectively all making a difference, they are also all unique in what they have to offer.
If you are looking to go hiking almost all our partners have somewhere to explore. New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Monmouth Conservation Foundation protect preserves and open spaces around the state that provide areas to hike, birdwatch, and just enjoy nature. NJ Conservation Foundation has a goal of establishing access to hiking trails within 5 miles of everyone in New Jersey. You can enter your zip code on their website to find a preserve near you or interact with their map of trails. On Monmouth Conservation Foundation’s website, you can also find a map of their properties.
If you are in Northern New Jersey, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Friends of Liberty State Park, or Teaneck Creek Conservancy may be close by. Flat Rock Brook provides quiet trails along a 150-acre preserve that allow you to explore the beauty of the Palisades. Friends of Liberty State Park has areas to walk, bike, and picnic while overlooking the New York City skyline and Lady Liberty. Teaneck Creek Conservancy brings together art, education, and nature through the work they have done to install eco-art, little free libraries, and more around the property.
Another beauty of living in New Jersey is the access to amazing bodies of water, such as the Hackensack River. You can explore the river with the help of Hackensack Riverkeeper eco-cruises and paddling. The Pinelands span seven counties, but have you ever really explored it? There are miles of trails to discover, but did you know that Pinelands Preservation Alliance provides you with opportunities to kayak and canoe throughout the Pinelands. In Toms River, the Save Barnegat Bay Eco-Center is where the land meets the bay. The Center is open to the public for enjoyment where you can walk along the beach or participate in their education programs both on and off the water.
American Littoral Society also does work on Barnegat Bay and across all of the New Jersey coastline. Throughout the year they run numerous nature encounters and education programs to get people on the coast and learning about the ecosystem. For example, you can volunteer to help them monitor horseshoe crabs by getting involved in their tagging program on the Delaware Bay. There are also opportunities all year long to volunteer at clean-ups on the Jersey Shore through the Surfrider Foundation Jersey Shore Chapter. Check out their calendar of 2022 clean-up dates so you can make a difference in keeping our beaches clean and preventing single-use plastic waste from flowing into our oceans.
The Wetlands Institute not only protects wetlands but our coastal ecosystems through the conservation of terrapins, horseshoe crabs, and other wildlife. You can visit the Institute where you can help feed shrimp to horseshoe crabs at the aquarium feeding or visit the touch tank. Did you know you can also “interact” with wildlife by being a part of conservation projects? Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey receives support from volunteers reporting rare endangered species sightings or activity at osprey nest sites. They also have monitoring opportunities.
You can keep an eye on even more feathered friends through New Jersey Audubon’s various birding programs. They offer ways for all ages and experience levels to jump into birdwatching. Bring your binoculars when you visit their preserves. You are guaranteed to see wildlife when visiting Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. Cedar Run houses nearly 60 native residents, including eagles, hawks, owls, deer, raccoons, and more that for various reasons cannot be released back into the wild. They also have a wildlife hospital that allows them to nurse back to health numerous animals who are then released. This is an area where you can volunteer to assist injured or orphaned wildlife. If you have compassion for New Jersey’s native wildlife, this volunteer opportunity is truly a special experience.
EarthShare New Jersey also has partners who work towards building more sustainable communities. One of the many programs Isles Inc. offers is professional Energy and Environment Training for those looking to grow their career in energy efficiency, clean energy, and environmental health. CATA works with farmworkers and Latino immigrants to assist in their rights to a safe workplace and access to healthy, organic food that comes from sustainable production. You can get involved by learning more about these issues and acting in support of what you feel passionate about. Greater Newark Conservancy also takes strides to build healthier communities through environmental education and food justice. They have created an urban farm that grows tons of fresh produce that can be purchased by community members at the Youth Farm Stand. You can learn healthy recipes to make with your produce when you visit their Facebook page @greaternewarkconservancy and watch the Family Fun in the Kitchen videos.
Sustainable, healthy communities are also made possible through work done on a government level. That is why our members like Eastern Environmental Law Center (EELC) and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) are so important. If you are involved with an environmental organization or a community group trying to reduce environmental burdens imposed on communities, EELC may be able to help, like they have helped many nonprofit partners. This can include fighting against air pollution, destruction of open spaces, clean-energy solutions, and more. ANJEC assists NJ environmental commissions, individuals, local and state agencies to advocate for strong environmental policy. They do this through the protection of New Jersey’s natural resources and the promotion of sustainable communities.
There is a vast amount of work being done across the state and everything our partner organizations do is an important piece to a larger puzzle for creating a greener tomorrow in New Jersey. Therefore, it is vital to come together as a collective, which is what EarthShare New Jersey provides. Not only are we a resource for our nonprofit partners, but for everyone in New Jersey to learn how they can get outside and involved with their community. So, what are you waiting for? Get outside today for a greener tomorrow!
Alyssa Zabinski
Business Manager, EarthShare New Jersey