by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor women who changed the world; those who marched, legislated, and shattered glass ceilings in laboratories and lecture halls. One of the many women who shaped our history was Mary Treat, a scientist who lived and worked in Vineland, New Jersey and brought […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation In winter weather, maintenance crews diligently work to clear roadways, while residents and businesses tackle walkways and parking areas. This usually includes applying a lot of salt. When something is cheap and plentiful, we tend to be careless about how much we use. While rock salt is very effective […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey’s new governor, Mikie Sherrill, takes the helm at a time of urgent need for climate leadership, environmental justice, and stronger protections for public land and water. Hopes are high given Sherrill’s record in congress and her selection of Ed Potosnak, who led the state’s chapter of the […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation We’re having a real winter this year in New Jersey, and if you can brave the cold you’ll find there are some amazing wildlife experiences to be had! Even spending more time looking out the window or listening at night has its rewards. In the sky, bald eagles carrying […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation When people think of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, they usually focus on the fascinating life there: rare orchids, carnivorous plants, pine snakes, frogs that “quonk” from hidden pools. The region’s biodiversity is rightly celebrated. But there is another kind of diversity hiding underneath. Older, quieter, and far less appreciated, […]
By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation When winter locks a pond or stream under a lid of ice, the surface goes still. But beneath that frozen cap, there is life! Since ice is less dense than liquid water, it floats to the surface and insulates the slightly warmer water underneath. This phenomenon of […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation For nearly 15,000 years, American shad and other migratory fish moved freely up the Paulins Kill River from the Delaware to spawn. That journey through Sussex and Warren counties was cut short about 115 years ago with the installation of several dams on the river to power the region’s growing […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation The Christmas tree is an age-old tradition going back to the Pagans, and for many generations people around the world have been decorating their homes with winter greenery to celebrate the holiday season. For many families, Christmas trees and wreaths foster a sense of continuity and a green reminder […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation For thousands of years, an estimated four billion native American chestnut trees provided bounty for Indigenous Peoples, wildlife, and entire forest ecosystems in New Jersey. Each fall, nuts and leaves from the trees would blanket forest floors with nutrients. Rich in calories, vitamin C, and antioxidants, chestnuts were an […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Nothing says “fresh start” like a good walk outside. While the rest of the world is negotiating with their alarm clocks, hundreds of New Jersey hikers will venture into parks and preserves this New Year’s Day to join in “First Day Hikes” around the state. It’s the perfect antidote […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Across towns and cities, the trees that define our neighborhoods, cool our homes, and help tie our landscapes together are disappearing one construction project and “routine” removal at a time. We need trees, yet every day they’re senselessly removed because they crack sidewalks or stand in the […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation All over the United States, abandoned railways have been finding new life. Once the arteries of America’s industrial expansion, these rail lines carried commuters, and commerce. But as the automobile took over in the mid-20th century, thousands of miles of track fell silent. By 1963, more than […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation As the last maples drop their leaves and frost arrives, the fall clean-up begins. Those with lawns rake, blow, bag, and drag to create the tidy, bare winter landscape we’ve been taught to equate with “good gardening.” Kazys Varnelis, president of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey is home to an abundance of wondrous creatures. Some, like crows and ravens, may seem like an everyday occurrence in our lives, but it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate just how incredible they are. This state we’re in has two species of crows – the […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Hidden in the wet, shady woods of northwest New Jersey blooms a remarkable and rare plant – Yellow Hammond’s Spring Beauty. Found nowhere else on Earth, it’s just one example of the many plants that make our landscape special. We have a natural heritage that exists in no other state! Protecting […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Unlike smoke, smog, and litter, noise pollution doesn’t leave a visible trace. But uninvited sound seeps into every corner of our lives, disrupting the peace of our homes and parks, and spreading across neighborhoods, even reaching the wild spaces we cherish. Eric Zwerling has spent over 35 […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation The most inspiring conservation efforts often start in the hands of everyday people who care deeply about local wildlife and open spaces. That’s what’s unfolding right now for one of New Jersey’s most vulnerable birds – the American kestrel. The smallest falcon in North America, the American kestrel is a […]
The Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library wish to extend our thanks for the exceptional public support for our 2025 Annual Book Sale. We rely on our local community here in Princeton for our dedicated volunteers and extraordinary book donations, and we thank our Library colleagues who go the extra mile to make everything run smoothly. The […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Every remaining patch of forest in New Jersey matters. From protecting water quality and wildlife to carbon storage and cooler temperatures, trees are absolutely vital to our well-being. Despite these values, longtime policies push landowners to cut them down. There’s a better alternative, but most people don’t know about […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Trail systems are more than just places to recreate. They can transform how people move through their communities and encourage us to connect with nature. That notion of broader benefits is the vision behind the Circuit Trails, one of the nation’s largest trail networks, which will reach an […]
It’s life or death when you are trying to cross Great Road. The only lifeline is a sidewalk that abruptly ends a few blocks before my street. As a high schooler who cannot drive yet with grandparents who love to walk and a little sister who loves to bike, extending the Great Road sidewalk would […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation A spectacular supermoon rose over New Jersey skies on Monday, Oct. 6th, with peak visibility across the Northern Hemisphere on Tuesday the 7th. During this celestial event, which occurs a few times a year, the full moon was at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, causing it […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Autumn has arrived in the Garden State. The shortening of days and cooler temperatures signal the harvest season – a period of abundance and hard work before the relative quiet of winter. Though many of us think of fall as a time when leaves turn and nature […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation This state we’re in has some of the most beautiful rivers in the country, including several that are federally recognized under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. From endangered fish like the Atlantic sturgeon to the iconic bald eagle, New Jersey’s rivers are essential to the biodiversity […]
By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Shouldn’t a clean and healthy environment be a guaranteed right, as essential as the right to free speech or voting? That’s the idea behind the Green Amendment – a proposed addition to New Jersey’s state constitution that would guarantee every resident the right to pure water, clean air, […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Deer are pretty much everywhere in New Jersey. At first glance, their abundance might seem harmless, even welcome. But their numbers are fueling a complex and urgent ecological crisis that threatens our native forests and wildlife, as well as public health and safety. In many places in New […]
Once again, we are confronted with the devastating reality of a school shooting—this time in Minneapolis, where innocent children were murdered in cold blood. The media coverage is all too familiar: shocked faces, speculation about the shooter’s background, and the usual refrain of disbelief. But after writing on this subject for over 15 years, I […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey may be one of the smallest states in the nation, but our natural heritage is anything but modest. Tucked between two bustling metropolitan areas is a landscape teeming with life – human and otherwise – a fact that’s echoed in our official state symbols. From the […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Have you ever spotted a striking bird with a bright orange-red bill and a loud, laughing call on the beach? That’s the American oystercatcher! A captivating shorebird native to New Jersey, the species was declining for years, but now it seems the population could be making a modest comeback. […]
When we imagine local food, we might picture sun-ripened Jersey tomatoes or a table of produce at the weekend farmers market. But what about the bread for our sandwiches, the oats in our granola, or the flour in our Sunday morning pancakes? Grains are the foundation of most American diets, and yet they’re often left out of […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey’s marine mammals are in the crosshairs. Already struggling under multiple assaults, they are facing another blow. Recent federal budget cuts and rule changes promise to dismantle critical protections, endangering ocean ecosystems in our own backyard. Created by Congress in 1972, the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Summer in New Jersey is a magical time: young birds take their first flight, flowers bloom in profusion, and fireflies light up the evening after long days. It’s a time when we’re outside more, and many of us like to include our pets. They’re like family, after […]
The 19th Amendment was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, granting women the right to vote. First introduced in Congress in 1878, the 19th Amendment was not easily passed. It took decades of activism by suffragists like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul — among […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation For thousands of years, before climate change started accelerating, New Jersey’s coastal marshes slowly regenerated through a harmonious process that deposited sediment from adjoining waters and kept the marshes elevated. But now, these natural areas are vanishing. Rapidly rising sea levels and erosion are causing marshes to drown, […]
By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation For more than 100 million years, Atlantic sturgeon have navigated the lower reaches of the Delaware River. Now, with fewer than 250 spawning adults left, this population of large, iconic fish is dangerously close to extinction. Sturgeon have a storied history in the region. It may seem […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Forming one of New Jersey’s longest borders, the Delaware River has connected people and places for thousands of years. From Indigenous settlements and Revolutionary War battles to the rise of American industry, the river has been central to New Jersey’s story. The Delaware River Heritage Trail (DRHT) honors that […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Looking to beat the summer heat? How about splashing around in creeks hunting for fossils? Fossiling is a hands-on, watery adventure perfect for friends and families looking to explore nature, get a little messy, and discover ancient treasures together. It turns out this state we’re in […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Across the forests, riverbanks, and backyards of New Jersey, animals are building shelters that are marvels of engineering and ingenuity. Take a closer look, and you’ll find that some of our most familiar wildlife are master architects. Ever wondered who uses those large round leafy nests in the […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation The Jersey Shore is one of the crown jewels of this state we’re in. Think of the joys of spending a summer day at the beach! But our coastal paradise and the ocean that lies beyond is in peril. Sunday, June 8th was World Ocean Day, and the premiere of OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH – […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Before many of New Jersey’s forests started being cleared and drained for agriculture some 400 years ago – drastically changing the landscape of this state we’re in – Atlantic white cedar swamps were abundant. In fact, this distinct habitat once occupied half a million acres along the East Coast, and in New Jersey, nearly […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation This year, we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission – a pioneering model of environmental preservation. Long before conservation was a part of public consciousness, a group of determined citizens banded together to stop the destruction of the Palisades cliffs along the Hudson River. Their efforts saved an iconic […]
By Anish A. Sheth, MD Getting a colonoscopy can be a daunting idea. However, the reality is that a colonoscopy is a routine outpatient procedure that is the best way to prevent colorectal cancers. By screening for precancerous polyps and existing cancerous lesions, colonoscopies can help you identify problems in the colon and rectum […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Once there was a superabundance of horseshoe crabs; armadas of females blanketed the beaches of the Delaware Bayshore. Through the 1990s, New Jersey’s horseshoe crab breeding and coinciding red knot shorebird migration was a spectacular natural phenomenon. “On the sand, there were around 50,000 horseshoe crab eggs per square meter,” says Larry […]
Memorial Day, observed on Monday, May 26 this year, is a federal holiday in the United States that is dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. It is a solemn day of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance, not only […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation The second largest New Jersey wildfire in 20 years broke out in Lacey Township, Ocean County on April 22, 2025. Started by an illegal bonfire west of the Garden State Parkway, the Jones Road Fire burned over 15,000 acres of the Pine Barrens, including much of the Forked River Mountains. Although the fire […]
by Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation For a brief but magical window in late April and early May, New Jersey becomes a crucial stopover for one of nature’s tiniest travelers: the ruby-throated hummingbird. As the only species of hummingbird that breeds in eastern North America, these dazzling little birds make an incredible journey north each spring from southern Florida, […]
Life gets hectic. Between work, family, and that never-ending to-do list, finding time to relax can feel impossible. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is hit pause, take a deep breath, and treat yourself to a little (or a lot of) self-care. And what better way to do that than a spa day? […]
Zinna’s Bistro in Cranbury, NJ, is hosting a series of dining events. As February comes to an end, foodies can look forward to a special 8-course comfort food tasting event on Thursday, February 27th, at 6 PM. The cost is $75 per person, and guests can bring their own beverages (BYOB). Since there are limited […]
Cranbury is full of activity as February begins, and there’s a lot to look forward to this month. The cold weather has made perfect ice-skating conditions at Brainerd Lake, and the green flag has been up for five days straight. Because of Jerry and his team at the Department of Public Works, the ice was […]
This year, the Sourland Conservancy has reached an amazing milestone by planting 10,000 trees in the Sourland Mountain Region in New Jersey. One of these trees, a special oak, was planted at the Somerset County Sourland Mountain Preserve by Arturo Barrett, a hardworking intern at the Conservancy. Arturo has spent months helping with tree planting, […]
Since it began in 1994, the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy has helped change the lives of more than 4,500 young people. On December 16, 2024, the academy celebrated its 30th anniversary with the graduation of Class 58. The ceremony was held at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where 40 cadets proudly […]
Many people are concerned about changes in taste and smell in tap water in 67 towns across six counties in New Jersey. New Jersey American Water is working to fix the problem after receiving complaints from residents across Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Union counties. The utility company started flushing hydrants to clear the […]
There will soon be an open seat on the Cranbury Township Board of Education due to the expected resignation of a Cranbury Township member on January 1, 2025. This is a great chance for a dedicated community member to step up and help guide the future of education in Cranbury Township. Thus, this could be […]
Trenton is on its way to reviving a long-empty hotel with a $4 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). This grant will help the city buy the abandoned Lafayette Yard Hotel downtown and turn it into something new and exciting. The plan is to turn the area into a lively mixed-use […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation James Still always wanted to become a doctor, but as a Black child in the 1800s, never had the opportunity to go to medical school. Undeterred, he learned to make botanical extracts from native plants, and studied books on anatomy, physiology, botany and medicine. Still became […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Interested in saving money on home energy bills? How about helping to fight climate change by reducing your carbon footprint? Or ensuring that the New Jersey communities most affected by environmental pollution get justice and help? If so, the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” according to a Chinese proverb. But in the avian world, journeys can last well over a thousand miles – and begin with a flap rather than a step! Each spring, birds known as “neotropical migrants” […]
In calling for the “preservation” of “half” of New Jersey’s land (https://centraljersey.com/2024/05/06/an-urgent-call-to-preserve-half-of-new-jerseys-land/), Jay Watson and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation are misleading your readers. What they’re including as “preserved land” includes a high portion of playgrounds and sports fields. These are well and good, indeed excellent and much needed, but the article would lead the reader […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation If you’re near a pond, stream, or marsh on a warm day, you may notice quick-flying insects skimming across the water or swooping and darting through the air. When they alight, you may be dazzled by their brightly-colored bodies and double sets of lacy wings. They’re […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Intense symptoms for individuals with depression are commonly associated with the winter and holiday season, depression and suicidal thoughts are actually more common in the spring and summer. For example, pressure to socialize when warmer weather makes it more possible may be particularly stressful for individuals with depression, as […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey is not only the nation’s most densely populated state, it’s also predicted to be the first to reach full build-out – the point where all land has been either developed or preserved. If current trends continue, full build-out could occur by the middle of […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation It’s hard to imagine a world in which the fastest way to move freight between Philadelphia and New York City was having mules tow barges along a 70-mile canal connecting the Delaware and Raritan rivers. But that world existed when the Delaware & Raritan Canal opened […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation While out walking or driving, did you ever notice trees so covered with ivy that they look like totally different life forms? In a way they are – because if the ivy continues to grow unchecked, the trees themselves might not live much longer. Trees laden […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Most longtime New Jerseyans – especially gardeners and growers – have noticed that winters have gotten milder over the last few decades. Cold weather seems to arrive later, and the Garden State gets fewer days of truly frigid, bone-chilling weather. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation You might think a biologist who’s spent nearly two decades researching bobcats in New Jersey would spot these native wildcats on a regular basis. If so, you’d be wrong! “For me, without cheating (by tracking a bobcat wearing a radio collar), I think I’ve seen a […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Ever heard of a “sponge city?” Sponge cities are urban areas with a superior ability to absorb rainfall and prevent flooding, thanks to abundant natural features like trees, lakes, and parks – and good infrastructure design. As climate change brings warmer temperatures, and stronger and more […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Walk into nearly any grocery store, any time of year, and you’ll likely find fresh blueberries in the produce aisle. Many consider them a perfect fruit … sweet and juicy, delicious fresh or cooked, and packed with health-boosting antioxidants. If you’re among the many who love […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Winter is the northeast’s quiet season, when songbirds go south, many animals hibernate, and people spend more time indoors. On the increasingly rare occasions when a blanket of snow covers the landscape, New Jersey is as silent as it can get, with even our constant drone […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation It’s easy to take lands in their natural state for granted. An old forest or beautiful meadow in your town may have “always been there,” but unless the land has been permanently preserved, it may be built upon in the future. New Jerseyans seem to understand […]
As housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years, the shortage of affordable homes is making life impossible for hard-working families, hurting both low-income families and the middle class. In New Jersey, one in four families spends half or more of their income on their rent or mortgage — often forced to choose between paying for […]
Read Across America, a cherished annual event created by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998, is a celebration held every March 2, and throughout the month of March, which is National Reading Month. Read Across America is celebrated on the birthday of the legendary Dr. Seuss. This year would be Dr. Seuss’ 120th birthday. Dr. […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Every year, billions of the world’s animals make incredible journeys over land and sea to breed and find food. Some of these species – including songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, whales, sharks, sea turtles, fish, and monarch butterflies – travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation As thick snow fell on central New Jersey earlier this week, the bald eagle pair at Duke Farms in Hillsborough showed themselves to be responsible parents-to-be, taking turns keeping the two eggs in their nest warm while the other hunted. When it came time for a […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation In an ideal New Jersey, all residents would have equal access to the outdoors and nature, with the joy and health benefits they bring. Unfortunately, there are barriers – some real, some perceived – keeping people out, especially in communities of color. One obvious barrier is […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey’s largest protected property, Wharton State Forest in the Pine Barrens, covers 195 square miles in Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties. For perspective, it’s bigger than the entire land mass of Hudson County! Wharton is crossed by hundreds of miles of avenues used by motor vehicles, everything from highways to […]
By Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation If we say someone’s an “odd duck,” it means they have a quirky personality or unusual habits. The expression comes from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, “The Ugly Duckling,” in which (spoiler alert!) the little duck who doesn’t fit in with the rest of […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation We all have personal boundaries, the limits and rules we set for our relationships. When others don’t respect our boundaries, there can be trouble! People aren’t the only ones with boundaries. Mother Earth also has boundaries – the complex systems and processes that keep the planet […]
By Nina Narang, MSW, LSW Even when teens have come out to their peers about their sexuality or gender identity, it may be harder for them to tell their parents. Having the acceptance and support of their parents can make a big difference in how they feel about themselves. However, when a child comes out, it […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Spring is months away, but as warmer weather arrives we can expect a familiar sight at garden centers and nurseries in New Jersey: a wide offering of non-native woody plants and perennials from foreign landscapes. These plants may be attractive, with blooms or fall colors that […]
by Tom Gilbert, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation No matter where you were in New Jersey in 2023, it was impossible not to notice signs of a changing climate. Wildfires in Canada brought an orange haze to New Jersey’s skies, along with hazardous air quality that triggered breathing problems. Tropical weather systems brought intense […]
I have waited to write this letter to the Cranbury Township Community due to the holiday rush of activity during the holiday season of December. It is possible that many of the residents of Cranbury may not know that Carol Malouf, former teacher, vice principal and superintendent of Cranbury Township School district passed away on Dec. 14, 2023. Carol served with me while I was superintendent, 1989-2001. She […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Here in the nation’s most densely populated state, a diversity of wildlife is something that can never be taken for granted. Wildlife habitats face a constant barrage of threats, and many species are seriously imperiled. A combination of vigilance, sound planning and strong actions is needed to maintain the biological […]
