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After 13 weeks of virtual learning, our Environmental Steward participants stepped beyond the screen and into the field—bringing their knowledge to life in some of New Jersey’s most environmentally significant places.
The Rutgers Environmental Stewards Strike Back Against Invasive Species In Helyar Woods
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When Anne Norris approached Rutgers Gardens with the idea to form an Invasive Species Strike Team comprised of volunteers and fellow Rutgers Environmental Stewards, her eagerness to make an impact in Helyar Woods was immediately apparent.
Invasive Species Spotlight: Dame’s Rocket
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Is the “Invasive Species Spotlight” useful to you? Let us know how. Hesperis matronalis Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is a 2-3 foot tall flowering biennial often found along moist roadsides and wooded areas. Its erect, multi-stemmed structure and purple/pink flowers resemble native eastern blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) and therefore often misidentified as native. Dame’s rocket was introduced to the US in the 1600’s as a garden plant; however, its success invading the wild is largely due to its popularity in commercial […]
Warren County Pollinator Protectors to the Rescue
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The group started with eight people and expanded to twenty in the first year. In 2024, three Warren County residents, Michelle St. Andre, Jennifer Correa-Kruegel, and Clairanne Arcaro, were part of the Rutgers Environmental Steward (RES) class. Each had her own independent project establishing native gardens in Knowlton, Belvidere, and Allamuchy, respectively, but they worked […]
How’s the Weather in the Garden State?
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Exploring Current Weather and Drought Conditions Data Sal Mangiafico, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Link to PDF: salem.njaes.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Earth-Day-Every-Day-April-2026.pdf State and federal websites are available to assess recent trends in temperature, precipitation, and drought status for New Jersey. In particular, data describing recent weather can be compared with 30-year normal values to contrast recent weather with the more […]
Rutgers Earth Day Every Day Webinars – Eat Your Way to a Healthy Environment – Spring 2026
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PDF of Flyer: https://salem.njaes.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Spring2026E2D2Flyer.pdf Registration site: https://go.rutgers.edu/foodforthought Thank you for your interest in the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Earth Day Every Day Webinar Series. Review the webinars and descriptions then choose which webinars you’d like to attend below. You will receive reminder emails as the dates get closer. All webinars begin at 6:30 PM and will […]
What’s New in 2026: A Guide to New Jersey’s Latest Environmental Laws
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By: Patricia Maguire (Program Coordinator, Rutgers Environmental Steward Program) and Michele Bakacs (County Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex and Union Counties) In January, 2026 New Jersey passed several environmental bills that will shape the future of waste reduction, habitat protection, pollution prevention, and land conservation statewide. This article summarizes the new laws and provides links to learn more. Staying […]
The Birds & The Bees: Pollinators in Your Yard & Garden
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Steve Yergeau County Agent II, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean and Atlantic Counties Link to pdf: https://salem.njaes.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Earth-Day-Every-Day-February-2026.pdf Just like some couples need assistance from Cupid for Valentine’s Day, plants need help during pollination from pollinators like birds and insects. Pollination is the act of moving pollen grains in a flower from the anther (male part) […]
Go Blue in the New Year: Resolutions for Being a More Responsible Steward of New Jersey’s Marine Resources
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Douglas Zemeckis and Paige Radcliffe, Rutgers Cooperative Extension You often hear about Going Green to be environmentally friendly, which is a great message to encourage an ethos of being environmentally conscious. In fact, our team published an Earth Day Every Day newsletter article about “Green New Year’s Resolutions” back in January 2021. And, more recently […]
Waste Not, Want Not: Going Green for the Holidays and into the New Year
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Amy Rowe, Rutgers Cooperative Extension PDF version The holidays are upon us, and they bring gifts, feasts, and cozy spaces during the cold winter months. All of these things can be draining on the environment, with excess waste and energy usage. Here are some practical ways to celebrate more sustainably during the holidays and throughout […]