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Round-leaved bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus, is an invasive vine that climbs, strangles, and smothers live trees.
Don’t Blow Life Away – Leave the Leaves
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Photo Credit: Jean Epiphan Have you heard about all the benefits leaves provide to our landscapes? There are also many downsides to removing leaves. The wide-spread practices of blowing and transporting leaves degrade our environment and quality of life. They pose serious threats to human health, soil health, plant health, insect and ecosystem health, as […]
Register Today for the Environmental Steward Impact Summit: Celebrating the Power of Local Action
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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, October 26, the Summit will bring together current class participants, alumni, and community leaders and members from across the state to foster greater environmental resilience. Register today: https://go.rutgers.edu/ImpactSummit24 What is […]
From Sea to Shining Sea: Microplastics in the Marine Environment
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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 than 5 millimeters in size (Figure 1), are often broken down from larger plastic debris that find their way into our marine environments. There are many pathways by which plastic […]
RES Project Focuses on Food Waste Solutions.
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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 reduce their food waste, by talking to restaurant managers about food waste and handing out flyers. I was motivated to start this project after learning in the Rutgers Environmental Steward […]
July Invasive Species of the Month: Privet
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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.
Follow the Plants
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My Journey from Rutgers Environmental Steward to Boat Steward – Ann Cucchiara RES 2019 Cert 2020 It was back in 2019 that I decided to enroll in the Rutgers Environmental Steward Program being offered at my favorite outdoor playground – Duke Farms. As a recently retired schoolteacher, I wanted to learn more about the negative, […]
Free Recordings Available: Spring 2024 “Earth Day, Every Day” Webinar Series
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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 natural elements (air, earth, fire, water, spirit, and wildlife) play in natural resource management and what the public can do to help. The series included newsworthy topics, including offshore wind development, black […]
Nancy Toro RES 2022: SCPC Award Recipient
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Nancy chose to complete her certification project by improving biodiversity at the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in Somerset County. She began by inventorying invasive Callery pear trees and initiated their removal and replacement with native species.
Beech Leaf Disease & Experimental Management Options
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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 on size. BLD is caused by an invasive nematode Litylenchus crenatae subsp. mccannii, a microscopic roundworm that cannot be seen with the naked eye.