Written by Kirsi Bhasin, RES Class of 2024, Certified 2024 It all began with a Monarch butterfly, which I spotted fluttering through our backyard during our first summer after moving to NJ. Despite not having planted flowers or having any blooms at the time, the butterfly’s presence intrigued me. However, the following week, I found […]
Eastern Bluebird Nest Box Monitoring Submitted by: Nick Bernardo, RES 2024, Certification Candidate Project Host: Monmouth County Huber Woods Park For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to exploring nature and understanding the challenges facing our environment. I found my answer in the Rutgers Environmental Steward (RES) Program, which opened a […]
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 […]
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, […]
Middlesex Borough Environmental Commission By Clare Levourne, RES Class of 2017, Certified 2019 After attending the Rutgers Environmental Steward (RES) program in 2017, I was inspired to create a Middlesex Borough Green Team as my project. Unfortunately, there was little interest, so I created a Monarch Waystation Garden at the public library instead. While tending […]
41 new volunteers were certified as Rutgers Environmental Stewards on Saturday October 28, having each completed a project that helped address an environmental issue in their community. These volunteers partnered with 48 organizations across the state educating close to 4,000 people on pressing issues such as climate change, habitat conservation, water quality protection, and reducing […]
What’s the number one complaint of native plant customers? Over and over, Native Plant Society of NJ (NPSNJ) members say, “I can’t find the native plants I want at my local garden center.” In response, the NPSNJ, as part of a Rutgers Environmental Stewards certification project is embarking on a new mission: to encourage local Independent […]
Irene Riegner’s certification project involved educating her community about the invasive Spotted Lanternfly during the Sustainable Highland Park Earth Day event. Irene conducted a survey to gauge community awareness of this invasive species and its potential impact. She developed a display of the SLF life cycle and its effect on certain tree and plant species. […]
NJ Most un-Wanted Invasive Species Ken Sammond, RES 2022, led an invasive plant species training session in March at the Metuchen Library. 25 community members learned about invasive plant species harming their local ecosystem and how they can be managed. Ken also led a hands-on field day at the 1,250-acre Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve, one of […]
