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Register here to join the 2025 class!
The Rutgers Environmental Steward program trains volunteers on important environmental issues in New Jersey and how they can make a difference in their community. Stewards learn how to help advance sustainable climate change solutions, not just in their own lives, but in their communities.
Environmental Stewards is a certificate program offered through Cooperative Extension, a unit of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
Make a difference in your community! Become a Rutgers Environmental Steward. Sign up for updates about our natural resource programming.
Thank you to our program partners, and the Atlantic County Utility Authority for their continued support.
Program Updates
Register Today for the Environmental Steward Impact Summit: Celebrating the Power of Local Action
The Rutgers Environmental Steward Impact Summit is fast approaching, offering an exciting opportunity for anyone passionate about addressing environmental challenges in New Jersey. On Saturday,…
RES Project Focuses on Food Waste Solutions.
Written by Carolina Dias, RES class of 2024 For my certification project, I am working to educate local schools and restaurants about ways they can…
Follow the Plants
My Journey from Rutgers Environmental Steward to Boat Steward – Ann Cucchiara RES 2019 Cert 2020 It was back in 2019 that I decided to…
Free Recordings Available: Spring 2024 “Earth Day, Every Day” Webinar Series
The spring “Earth Day, Every Day” webinar series, produced by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, concluded on June 3. This popular series focused on the role that…
Science
Don’t Blow Life Away – Leave the Leaves
Photo Credit: Jean Epiphan Have you heard about all the benefits leaves provide to our landscapes? There are also many downsides to removing leaves too. …
From Sea to Shining Sea: Microplastics in the Marine Environment
A hot topic and important environmental issue is the increasing prevalence of microplastics in our marine environments. Microplastics, which are defined as plastic particles smaller…
July Invasive Species of the Month: Privet
Privet, Ligustrum species, is an invasive, flowering, deciduous shrub. Various privet species are commonly used as hedges in residential and commercial landscapes. Some privet species have spread into understory forests and roadsides and are considered invasive plants in New Jersey.
Beech Leaf Disease & Experimental Management Options
BLD causes rapid decline and mortality of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and European beech (F. sylvatica); mortality can occur between 2 to 10 years depending…