Come back to the beach! Join us in-person and outside for networking, food, drinks, and fun Join the USGBC New Jersey community for an evening of networking and connecting outside on the boardwalk at Jenkinson's, complete with an ocean view and sea breezes! A casual dinner will be provided, and there is a cash bar. Thank you to HLW for sponsoring this event! Additional event sponsorships are available. USGBC NJ Summer Social When: August 10 from 5 – 9 p.m. Where: Martell's Tiki Bar, Point Pleasant, NJ   REGISTER SAVE THE DATE Resiliency Summit 2022 Join us for this full-day hybrid summit and hear from a variety of experts on topical resiliency issues, featuring experts from diverse disciplines as we explore topics including community vitality, hazard adaptation and integrated long-term master planning. Sponsorships available. Thank you to our first event sponsor STANTEC. SAME + USGBC Resiliency Summit 2022 When: October 12 Where: West Point, NY & Online Registration coming soon! Apply for a scholarship to attend Greenbuild in person or online Deadline July 29 USGBC and Greenbuild's scholarship application to the 2022 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo is now open. The annual scholarship program brings community and sustainability leaders to the table to encourage and empower individuals to transform the way we do business in the building industry. Greenbuild will take place digitally, as well as in person in San Francisco, California, Nov. 1-3, and scholarships are available to attend in either format. Please help spread the word! Learn more ? Product Solutions Showcase July 26-28 | Online   Learn about 90+ sustainable products, network, and hear from green experts at the inaugural USGBC Product Solutions Showcase! This online event convenes the market to highlight noteworthy sustainable products that reduce negative impact and increase LEED performance in health, resilience, equity, energy, water, waste, carbon and human experience. The event includes thought "speed green" sessions featuring products, leadership panels, networking, virtual booth viewing and more! Tickets are FREE for USGBC members; $10 for nonmembers. Thank you to our sponsors National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, CarbonCure, NextGen Wood Protection and Helvex USA, and to our partners ecomedes, BuildingGreen, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, mindfulMATERIALS, Central Coast Green Building Council and USGBC Louisiana. Interested in supporting this event as a sponsor or partner? Contact Sarah Boren. Learn more ? ICYMI – The Future of LEED: 2022 Update Last month at USGBC Live, alongside staff, stakeholders and volunteers, we developed the Future of LEED, a set of principles that will guide how LEED moves forward for years to come, addressing the imperatives of climate, health, equity, scalability, resilience and biodiversity. These conversations are ongoing, and it will take our collective knowledge, passion and commitment to achieve these goals; we ask that you join us in this process. Learn more ? Business Case for Green Building August 25   We hear a lot of myths about LEED. Everything from cost to effectiveness and yet, it's the most used green building rating system worldwide and LEED buildings are proven repeatedly to offer a greater return on investment, healthier, more productive occupants, and a greatly reduced impact on the environment. So why can it be so hard to broach that conversation with clients? Join us to discuss the business case for LEED. We'll discuss the dollars and "sense," return on investment, and ESG/CSR all while talking through ways to start that conversation with your clients and follow through on the results.  Register ? Partner events GPRO Fundamentals of Building Green presented by Urban Green Council July 26 | Online (Zoom) New Gravity Housing Conference 2022 presented by Green Building United August 11 | Online Sessions will feature case-based studies on Passive House, low-carbon, multi-family housing, workforce development, and more! Early bird tickets on sale now, register today. Congratulations to all project teams with LEED certifications in New Jersey in May + June! 1000 H Building except auditorium, Raritan, NJ, LEED v4 ID+C: CI, Certified Barclays B100, Whippany, NJ, LEED v4 BD+C: NC, Certified Port Imperial South Building 8-9, Weehawken, NJ, LEED-NC v2009, Silver Barclays Fitness Center, Whippany, NJ, LEED v4 BD+C: NC, Silver VRH Offices – 1st and 2nd floor, Englewood, NJ, LEED v4 ID+C: CI, Certified NJSDA Camden High School, Camden, NJ, LEED v4 BD+C: SC, Silver Seward Johnson Center for the Arts, Hamilton, NJ, LEED v4.1 O+M, Gold 461 11th Street, Hoboken, NJ, LEED-HOMES MR v2010, Platinum Sheila Y. Oliver Academy, East Orange, NJ, LEED v4 BD+C: SC, Silver There are numerous ways to showcase your achievement. Completed a project you would like to celebrate? Let us know. Contact Medea Villeré.

Butterfly Tent Safari @ Essex County Environmental Center
Summer Programs @ Essex County Environmental Center

Sail on the Hudson aboard The Sloop Clearwater July 15-17, Alpine NJ Sail on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater View the majestic Palisades; Hear featured speakers about New Jersey's history & nature; Register early since trips sell out quickly!    All Sails depart from the Alpine Boat Basin. To register: email ANJEC (info@anjec.org) Sail Schedule Friday, July 15 10:00am Tideline Exploration -Does Not Go On the Boat -Participants will be guided through interactive learning stations including: seining, fish study, macro-invertebrate study and beachcombing as they enjoy themed music as they reflect on the river and its connection to our community. (3 hours) -$40 per person Friday, July 15 4:00pm - Children's Sail -Engage in hands-on learning and learn about the river. Guests will help raise the sail, sing sea shanties, haul up a trolling net to investigate river life and rotate through interactive learning stations. (3 hours) -$45 per child, $70 per adult Saturday, July 16 10:00am - - Children's Sail -Engage in hands-on learning and learn about the river. Guests will help raise the sail, sing sea shanties, haul up a trolling net to investigate river life and rotate through interactive learning stations. (3 hours) -$45 per child, $70 per adult Saturday, July 16 5:00pm - Brewery on the Boat,Spend the evening on the river enjoying a tasting of three different craft beers from local brewery Brix City. (3 hours) -$95 per person Sunday, July 17 10:00am - - Children's Sail -Engage in hands-on learning and learn about the river. Guests will help raise the sail, sing sea shanties, haul up a trolling net to investigate river life and rotate through interactive learning stations. (3 hours) -$45 per child, $70 per adult Sunday, July 17 5:00pm - Tavern Night on the River, Join Palisades Interstate Park Historian and Kearney House Curator, Eric Nelsen and Thaddeus MacGregor as they introduce guests to the history of the area through reenactment , music and stories. (3 hours) -$95 per person   To register for a sail,email ANJEC (info@anjec.org). To register for any sail, email ANJEC or call 973-539-7547.

New July Nature Programs at Liberty State Park
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JULY FREC Events Tune into nature, it is the best way to relax! The team at FREC are ready to show you how with  many forest-focused educational experiences. Peruse and pre-register for our small-group outdoor nature programs here: To register, go to http://forestresourceeducationcenter.eventbrite.com  and choose the program you would like to register.  *******PLEASE NOTE TIMES VARY******* All programs are held outdoors so dress for weather. Please remember to cancel if unable to attend. Registration is free. Come meet out front of the Forest Resource Education Center, 495 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson, NJ. Thursday, July 7 at 10 a.m. Wildlife Habitat Tour (Kids) Forests can seem quiet and unoccupied but animals are often just hiding or waiting until we leave. Learn how to see and identify the signs of numerous mammals and reptiles. Learn more about all the animals that are really living here! Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 15 people per hike. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult.   Saturday, July 9 at 9 a.m. Nature Journaling We sometimes need to just slow down and notice what we "see"! Through drawing and notetaking, the art of Journaling compels us to observe our Natural World in detail. Bring your own drawing pad or notebook and pencils or we will have some drawing supplies for you. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 12 people per hike.     Sunday, July 10 at 10 a.m. Shinrin - Yoku Forest Therapy Welcome the Summer with Forest Bathing. Immerse your senses with the touch, smell and sounds of Spring. Wear soft shoes and dress for the weather for this mindful stroll through our trees. Bring a cool drink. Ages 15 and up. Please do not sign up for more than 1 class per month. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 15 people per hike. Open to all persons 15 years plus.     Tuesday, July 12 at 10 a.m. Summer Tree, Shrub and Vine Identification (Adults) Explore the Pineland woods and see how to identify some of our local trees, shrubs and vines. Easy 1-mile walk on our wide, grass-free trails. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 20 people per hike. ________________________________________________________________   Friday, July 15 at 10 a.m. Pollinator Palooza The FREC pollinator garden has a bounty of bee balm and milkweed in full bloom for July. The garden will undoubtedly be humming with insect activity. Let's see what ! We will help you download and get started with I-Naturalist, aa easy, effective app for identifying insects and almost any other creature in our Natural World.. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 12 people per hike.     Sunday, July 17 at 10 a.m. Shinrin - Yoku Forest Therapy Welcome the Summer with Forest Bathing. Immerse your senses with the touch, smell and sounds of Spring. Wear soft shoes and dress for the weather for this mindful stroll through our trees. Bring a cool drink. Ages 15 and up. Please do not sign up for more than 1 class per month. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 15 people per hike. Open to all persons 15 years plus. ________________________________________________________________   Tuesday, July 19 at 10 a.m. Insects at FREC (Adult) Learn insect life cycles and survival strategies. We will look for their tell-tale signs and learn how important these amazing creatures are to our human lives. Our investigation will be around building and garden area. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 20 people per hike. ________________________________________________________________   Thursday, July 21 at 10 a.m. Wildlife Habitat Tour (Adults) Forests seem so silent when we enter them but animals are here, but hiding or waiting until we leave. Learn how to see and identify the signs of numerous mammals and reptiles. Learn more about all the animals that are really living here! Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 20 people per hike.       Tuesday, July 26 at 10 a.m. Dr. Dolittle and Animal Talk (Kids) We will tour different forest habitats and learn about the sounds that animals use to communicate . Our naturalist will use various whistles to simulate critter calls. Participants will also have the chance to practice "calls" on your own and be like Dr. Dolittle. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 15 people per hike. ________________________________________________________________   Friday, July 29 at 10 a.m. Owls and Their Prey! (Kids) Join us for a talk about our local owls. What are their habits ? How do they live ? This program is geared towards kids 9-15 years old. We will be set up at outdoor picnic tables dissecting owl pellets (similar to cat hair balls) to see what these night creatures have been eating. Pellets have been sterilized and are safe for classwork. Kids must be accompanied by an adult but kids only for hands-on portion of program and masks are required during dissection. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 10 people for this event. Kids need to be accompanied by at least one adult. ________________________________________________________________   Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m. Owls and Their Prey! (Kids) Join us for a talk about our local owls. What are their habits ? How do they live ? This program is geared towards kids 9-15 years old. We will be set up at outdoor picnic tables dissecting owl pellets (similar to cat hair balls) to see what these night creatures have been eating. Pellets have been sterilized and are safe for classwork. Kids must be accompanied by an adult but kids only for hands-on portion of program and masks are required during dissection. Pre-registration only, accepted on first-come basis. Accepting 10 people for this event. Kids need to be accompanied by at least one adult. Forest Resource Education Center 495 Don Connor Blvd Jackson, NJ   Like us on Facebook!  www.facebook.com/forestrycenter/ Forest Resource Education Center 495 Don Connor Blvd. Jackson, NJ 08527 FREC@dep.nj.gov    732.928.2360

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Wharton State Forest Trails Status   As you probably have heard, Wharton State Forest was severely impacted earlier this week by a wildfire that was started by an illegal campfire set along the Mullica River. As a result, all recreational trails along the Mullica and Batsto Rivers between Atsion and Batsto Village are closed indefinitely.  This includes all hiking and mountain biking trails. In addition, the Mullica and Batsto Rivers are also closed in this area as is the Mullica River Campground. In order for these trails and rivers to reopen to recreation, State Park Service personnel and volunteers must inspect them for hazards like downed trees and trees in danger of falling and remediate the hazards. In addition, many of the trail markings and signs were destroyed by the fire and will need to be repainted or replaced. We're working now to get these trails inspected, remediated and open again to the public. When they are ready for recreation, we'll let you know.   Until the trails reopen, stay safe and stay off the trails. ______________________________________________________________   In the meantime, Wharton's four new hiking trails are still open: The 1808 Hiking Trail  (1.6 miles, green blazes) follows a road that ran in part between Crowleytown–where the Buttonwood Campground is today–and Batsto Village more than 200 years ago. The 1808 Hiking Trail is lined with massive, towering Atlantic white cedars in several places and cuts through Mordecai Swamp affording fantastic views deep into it. The 1808 Hiking Trail will provides two hiking loops from the Batsto Visitor Center: a 1.7 mile loop and a 7 mile loop via the Batona and other connecting trails including the new Sand and Water Hiking Trail (0.9 miles, orange blazes). This trail is easily accessed from the Batsto Visitor Center Parking Lot located just off of Burlington County Road 542 in Washington Township. The Whispering Pines Hiking Trail  (1.7 miles, white blazes) meanders along the edge of an Atlantic white cedar swamp then passes through upland pitch pine and oak forest before returning to the trailhead. The Atlantic White Cedar Hiking Trail (5.2 miles, blue blazes) is reached via the Whispering Pines Hiking Trail and skirts Atlantic white cedar swamps, abandoned cranberry bogs and follows along tributaries of the Rancocas Creek as it traverses the area.  Both trails are loops with the Whispering Pines Hiking Trail starting and ending at the parking lot which is located at the intersection of Burlington County Road 532 and Patty Bowker Road in Tabernacle Township.

I am writing to let you know of a new children's plastic pollution project called PUPS - Pick Up Plastic Stuff, developed by our non-profit organization.

You may be interested in our program due to your interest in conservation and environmental literacy in New Jersey.

The program, on the web at PUPS123.org, helps kids learn about the worldwide plastics problem, encourages them to help reduce pollution by collecting single-use plastics before they enter surrounding surface waters or degrade into microplastics, and bring attention to the problem by posting short videos of their efforts on social media.

A prize of $250 is being offered each quarter for videos with the best creative content and social messaging.

Please help us spread the word of this project to any organizations or groups that may be looking for educational environmental projects for kids. Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have!

Ciara O'Brien
Project Director
PUPS - A Project of Grassroots Environmental Education
184 Main Street
Port Washington, NY 11050
(516) 883-0887

Click HERE.

Click HERE.

Click HERE.
Register Now: Climate Conversations - Water Justice

Community Tree Recovery Starts April 9th Municipalities will be giving away 5 Free Bare Root Tree Seedlings to all residents of New Jersey. Find a location nearest to you go to: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/forest/docs/tree_recovery_nj_pickup_locations2022.pdf If you have questions, please call your municipality. All days and times are up to date, but may change by the municipality.   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How big are the trees? Six inches to two foot tall bare root seedlings in a bundle of five. What do I need to bring? Show up at the listed location on the designated date and time. No registration or identification required. Please make sure sign up if your municipality is requesting. Bring a mask. What if my town isn't listed? Pick up trees at any pick up location—you do not need to be a resident of that town. Where can I get more than five seedlings? Visit www.forestnursery.nj.gov to view our Nursery Catalog. What kind of tree species will I receive? Each location may have a variety of tree species but there is no published list of species per location. Species are distributed based on what grows best in that area. Municipalities in the northern part of the state may receive persimmon or red oak trees, while towns in the south may receive virginia pine or other species adapted to this region. Seedlings that are salt tolerant are distributed to shore towns may include bayberry or beach plum, shrubs commonly found on dunes and in other coastal environments. I have a question about a specific town's event. Each event is run by the municipality—contact the municipal office with any questions. Why is my town or county not listed and how can I get my town on the list? Every municipality in New Jersey was contacted in December to apply for free trees — all trees have been allocated to those who applied. If no towns are listed for a county, then no towns in that county applied. However, you can pick up tree seedlings at any of the locations listed. For seven years in a row, we partnered with Arbor Day Foundation to give out over 500,000 tree seedlings total to New Jersey residents!

Explore, Learn, and Fish at Pequest! Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is excited to announce our FREE fishing programs for 2022. Family Fishing Programs Senior Fishing Rodeos Intro to Fishing Programs for Women Intro to Fishing Programs (for EVERYONE)                                 Want to bring a group to Pequest? Group program requests are now being accepted on a limited basis.  Schedule a Group

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The Columbia Climate School is running two pre-college programs with Putney Student Travel this summer for high school students. The first is our Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains program, a 2-week campus-based program in Castleton, Vermont to mobilize action, drive impact, and effect change in response to our warming planet. The second is our Columbia Climate Corps program, a series of small group climate and sustainability-focused traveling programs. This program combines intentional travel with in-depth educational opportunities, taking students to experience a destination through the lens of climate change and focus intently on one or two location-specific themes. Scholarships are available for both offerings and all participants receive a certificate of participation from the Columbia Climate School.

The Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains will be running one session, and the dates are:

• Session I: 6/26/2022 – 7/8/2022

The Columbia Climate Corps will have one traveling program, and the date and theme is:

• Iceland: July 20^th – August 1^st, 2022 – Carbon Capture Technology

Learn more about both offerings in this info session recording, or contact Cassie Xu (cassie@ei.columbia.edu) for more information.

Join us on Saturday, July 16!

The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) and the Waterfront Alliance are excited to announce that the In Your Neighborhood registration for this year's City of Water Day is now open! City of Water Day will take place on Saturday, July 16, 2022.     This year's In Your Neighborhood theme centers on how the power of the creative arts can help us address the climate crisis. We want to create a space where stewardship organizations and artists can explore and innovate as they engage the public about climate change and its impacts. And like every year, we are eager to work with our partners in neighborhoods across the estuary to uplift work that advances equitable access to the waterfront and educates the next generation of climate leaders.  For a limited number of participating organizations, HEP can provide funding support ranging between $1,000-$4,000. Grants are prioritized for programs serving environmental justice and higher-need communities. This year, we encourage organizations to work with one or more local artists as part of their In Your Neighborhood program to creatively engage community members in climate change and resilience. To be considered for funding be sure to apply by June 8, 2022.  We are lo0king forward to coming together with our partners to raise awareness about the risk we all face from floods and rising seas, and to champion climate resilient shorelines and waterfront communities. The climate is changing. And so must we. Be sure to join us this year in celebrating the resilience of our Harbor by registering to host an In Your Neighborhood program.    Register Here Copyright © 2022 Hudson River Foundation, All rights reserved. Hudson River Foundation 17 Battery Pl Ste 915 New York, NY10004-1114 Add us to your address book

Explore the Salt Marsh Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center is excited to offer two three-day programs this summer for middle and high school students.  Sedge Island Field and Research Experience - July 11, 12, and 13, 2022 This is an in-depth program for high school students interested in pursuing a college education in marine or environmental studies. More information (pdf) Apply today! (pdf) Sedge Island Field Experience - July 20, 21, and 22, 2022 Middle school students will spend their time learning about salt marsh ecology and conservation while kayaking, fishing, and clamming. More information (pdf) Apply today! (pdf)

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Questions? Contact Us