NJ Conservation has joined seven other environmental groups in appealing the State House Commission's approval of a 60-year lease of the marina in Liberty State Park. The lease to Suntex Marinas would allow for the development of a massive boat storage warehouse along the park's northern entrance.
BIG news! The joint effort to permanently protect an 835-acre property as an addition to Black Run Preserve in Evesham Township, Burlington County just marked another major milestone. 🎉🎉
Nearly half of all bird species are in decline. But new research shows that thoughtful and intentional urban conservation can create conditions where native birds and people thrive together.
Thunderstorms can generate weak electrical discharges on the plants underneath, but until now, they had never been observed in nature
We're pleased to be a sponsor of this webinar, Food as Medicine, presented by our friends at Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey.
Explore the powerful connection between soil health and human health.
🗓️ Friday, March 20
🕖 7 p.m.
🔗 Registration: tinyurl.com/yc4cjx78
Exciting news! Rainbow Hill at Sourland Mountain Preserve has grown by 55 acres! 🌈⛰️
The additional acreage, which was added to the preserve at the end of 2025, includes open fields and woodlands along Wertsville Road in East Amwell Township in Hunterdon County. Learn more 👇
Facts about the environment in Morris County have been integrated into this immersive site-specific video & sound installation, which invites audiences to reflect on their role in addressing climate change. It also examines the complex relationship between nature, culture, & environmental justice.
ICYMI: This fascinating art experience that explores our impact on nature is on view at Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ through April 5. 👇
Red foxes stay warm during winter thanks to their thick fur and insulating tail. They also adapt to cold weather by lowering the temperature inside their paws using a built-in survival mechanism, allowing them to walk on snow without losing significant body heat.
📸: Red fox by Penelope Ayers
Photo of Emile DeVito, manager of science and stewardship at New Jersey Conservation Foundation, pointing out an American holly shrub at Ramapo Reservation. Emile is reaching a hand out toward the small plant with green leaves as he stands in a snow-covered forest. The photo was taken by Ian Peters for NJ Advance Media.
Advocates — including our Manager of Science & Stewardship Emile DeVito shown below at Ramapo Reservation — gathered at county meetings to oppose the tower, which would have negatively impacted local wildlife; destroyed the area’s scenic viewshed;& opened the door to more privatization of our parks.
Great news! Bergen County announced on Friday that officials would not pursue construction of a 500-foot communications tower in Ramapo Reservation, a protected Green Acres park in the Highlands Preservation Area in Mahwah, NJ.
Read more about the fight to keep the reservation green via @nj.com👇
Earlier this week, on his final day in office, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the Invasive Species Management Act into law — a win for NJ ecosystems! 🙌
More info: tinyurl.com/yc4p22wf
📸: Trailing arbutus, a native shrub found in NJ that provides nectar for pollinators & is threatened by invasive species.
The NJ PACT REAL Rules were adopted by the Murphy Administration yesterday! 🎉
These critical rules will modernize how we build along the shore to protect homes, businesses, and people's lives in the face of increasing coastal flooding caused by climate change.
More info: dep.nj.gov/njreal/
The classroom lessons will take place at the Pinelands Alliance HQ, 17 Pemberton Rd, Southampton, NJ 08088. These lessons will be held from 7-9 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, February through December. 📝📚
This is a joint program of New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Pinelands Alliance taught by Russell Juelg, NJ Conservation's Senior Land Steward and Pine Barrens educator.🌲
Calling all plant professionals and advanced amateurs who want to delve into the world of Pine Barrens botany! 🌱
Registration is now open for the Special Pinelands Plants Advanced Course: njconservation.org/event/pinelands-plant-course-advanced
📸: Swamp pink (helonias bullata) by Richard Lewis
We're heading into 2026 with renewed optimism that NJ will continue its environmental leadership.
One example: NJ's standards for environmental protections, particularly when it comes to wetlands. Learn more in this Inside Climate News story that features our Executive Director Alison Mitchell 👇
#GreatNews! A NJ court affirmed the legality of regulations to implement New Jersey’s nation-leading Environmental Justice Law – economic benefits cannot be used to allow new sources of pollution in overburdened communities. https://bit.ly/49sxno4
Each of the 122 cards features a unique work of art created by a New Jersey artist along with facts about the bird species depicted. Packs contain 10 random cards from the first series. (You just might get the northern shoveler by Wanda España that's pictured!)
It's National Bird Day! 🦅
If you're looking for a way to celebrate our feathered friends, support NJ Conservation today using the red button on this page 👉 njconservation.org/njbirdcards 👈 and we'll send you four packs of our new trading cards, NJ BIRDS x NJ ARTISTS.🐦⬛
Wishing you health, happiness, and lots of opportunities to enjoy nature throughout 2026! 🎊
Photo 1: Bobcat by Tyler Christensen
Photo 2: Snowy owl by Penelope Ayers
Photo 3: Franklin Parker Preserve by Richard Lewis
Photo of a bobcat walking in the snow by Tyler Christensen.
Photo of a white owl perched on top of bare tree branches. The photo was taken by Penelope Ayers.
Photo of a misty landscape at Franklin Parker Preserve showing a row of bare trees. The photo was taken by Richard Lewis.
Winter is officially here❄️
This season offers us unique opportunities to appreciate the quiet beauty of nature. Tracks in the snow, bare trees, and hushed landscapes allow the more subtle signs of wildlife to come into focus.
Find nature near you: njconservation.org/find-nature
ICYMI: Two members of our advisory board, Brad Campbell and Chris Daggett, who are former state Department of Environmental Protection commissioners, recently penned some advice for their successor.
Read the guidance they shared via @njspotlightnews.org:
Pickering's morning glory is one of the most endangered plants in New Jersey.
Read more about this unique beauty of the Pine Barrens on page 8 of our winter newsletter: tinyurl.com/yxt9pzwr
The photo shows three people using tools to dig holes in a sand dune surrounded by pine trees where a rare wildflower, Pickering's morning glory, will be planted.
A photo of Pickering's morning glory by Tom Halliwell that shows small white flowers growing along a vine.
Pickering's morning glory is making a comeback at Franklin Parker Preserve! 🌱
Our Manager of Science & Stewardship Emile DeVito and volunteers from Sourland Conservancy recently planted more of this rare wildflower in a sand dune at the preserve in an effort to boost its population.
Photo 1: Barred owl by Penelope Ayers
Photo 2: Franklin Parker Preserve by Richard Lewis
Photo 3: Pink lady slipper orchid by Richard Lewis
Wildlife habitat is decreasing throughout New Jersey, but you can help!
Your #GivingTuesday donation helps us preserve land where plants and animals can thrive — like the over 12,000 acres within our Franklin Parker Preserve! Where to donate: tinyurl.com/j947bhet
Hats off to CHANJ! 🙌
We're glad to get behind this incredible effort. Earlier this year, we helped preserve more than 300 acres of land in Cumberland and Sussex Counties that were designated as CHANJ core areas, large swaths of intact natural land that support a wide range of species.🌳
With your support, we can protect valuable lands from development; advocate for sensible land use policies; and create new green spaces. 🌳
Please consider showing your support by donating on Giving Tuesday to help preserve NJ's lands for generations to come! njconservation.org/donate-now/
