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2025 marks the 20th year of the Rutgers Environmental Steward program, a certificate program
offered through Cooperative Extension for adult volunteers. The program trains volunteers on important
environmental issues in New Jersey in areas such as sustainable climate change solutions, storm
water management, and habitat conservation. Trained volunteers then work in their own communities
helping to improve the environment.
The program will celebrate the 20th anniversary at their annual Impact Summit on November 1. All
are welcome to attend. Register at https://go.rutgers.edu/ressummit25
The Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program has training over 1300 across all 21 New Jersey
counties. Steward volunteers go on to be municipal environmental commission or green team members.
Some work with Extension on invasive plant management projects or help organizations like the
Atlantic County Utility Authority reduce waste.
Steward volunteers have:
- completed 316 projects with over 50 partnership organizations including many helping to
reduce the impact of climate change. - engaged in 22,439 hours of environmental service across the state.
- contributed $860,136 in conservation value and impact to partnership projects.
- enhanced or created 145 habitat sites through natural resource activities.
“The program puts boots on the ground” noted Michele Bakacs, County Agent/Associate Professor,
RCE of Middlesex and Union Counties and Environmental Stewards Statewide Coordinator. Over
the years we have learned how to make the program effective for local decision makers. The class
portion is a crash course in environmental protection in New Jersey for those who have not had the
chance to learn about these issues. We want them to understand the science and know that Rutgers
is a resource for them to utilize when they are working locally. There is much misinformation on the
internet. This program allows them to hear from experts in the field- from climate science to waste
management- so they can make environmental decisions based on information from local scientists.”
The public can join in celebrating the 20th anniversary at the Annual Impact Summit on Saturday
November 1 at the Rutgers Douglas Student Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Visit the website
for more information at https://go.rutgers.edu/ressummit25