(13/P50) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection today announced the grand opening of the new Centenary College Environmental Science Center at the DEP’s Charles O. Hayford Fish Hatchery in Hackettstown, which will serve as an experimental learning facility for the school’s environmental studies curriculum.

“We look forward to a long and successful collaboration with Centenary College and its students, who may be future environmental leaders here in New Jersey,’’ said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “This also is a continuation of partnerships and education and research exchanges we have with many colleges and universities in our state, which benefits the DEP, the students and the people of New Jersey.’’

“This is a win-win experience for all involved and will provide students in our newly launched Environmental Science program with state-of-the-art resources where they can gain valuable hands-on experience,” said Centenary College President Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite.

Centenary College’s Environmental Science major focuses on the relationship between the environment and our daily lives, with particular emphasis on environmental quality, stewardship of the land, human health and how local actions impact the global community.

The new Environmental Science Center, situated in a building leased from the DEP, features an innovative laboratory, classroom and faculty research space that is designed to provide students with the opportunity to utilize collection and analysis tools, complete biodiversity surveys of local plants and animals; do soil, water and air testing; and track growth rate and water quality of fish within the complex, among many possibilities.

“This facility greatly enhances what has already been a tremendous partnership between Centenary College and the Hackettstown Hatchery,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Dave Chanda. “Centenary students have interned or volunteered at the Hatchery for a long time and gained great experience in wildlife management. This facility on our grounds will further help facilitate the education of these students.”

The Hackettstown Hatchery, located along the banks of the Musconetcong River, raises and distributes more than 2 million fish annually. It is comprised of a large, state-of-the-art fish raising facility, an education center and a series of earthen ponds distributed across the hatchery’s 233-acre property. The main water supply is spring water that naturally bubbles out of the ground on the site.

For more information on the Hackettstown Hatchery, please visit: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/hacktown.htm