by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation James Still always wanted to become a doctor, but as a Black child in the 1800s, never had the opportunity to go to medical school. Undeterred, he learned to make botanical extracts from native plants, and studied books on anatomy, physiology, botany and medicine. Still became […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation If you’re near a pond, stream, or marsh on a warm day, you may notice quick-flying insects skimming across the water or swooping and darting through the air. When they alight, you may be dazzled by their brightly-colored bodies and double sets of lacy wings. They’re […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Intense symptoms for individuals with depression are commonly associated with the winter and holiday season, depression and suicidal thoughts are actually more common in the spring and summer. For example, pressure to socialize when warmer weather makes it more possible may be particularly stressful for individuals with depression, as […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey is not only the nation’s most densely populated state, it’s also predicted to be the first to reach full build-out – the point where all land has been either developed or preserved. If current trends continue, full build-out could occur by the middle of […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation It’s hard to imagine a world in which the fastest way to move freight between Philadelphia and New York City was having mules tow barges along a 70-mile canal connecting the Delaware and Raritan rivers. But that world existed when the Delaware & Raritan Canal opened […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation While out walking or driving, did you ever notice trees so covered with ivy that they look like totally different life forms? In a way they are – because if the ivy continues to grow unchecked, the trees themselves might not live much longer. Trees laden […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Most longtime New Jerseyans – especially gardeners and growers – have noticed that winters have gotten milder over the last few decades. Cold weather seems to arrive later, and the Garden State gets fewer days of truly frigid, bone-chilling weather. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation You might think a biologist who’s spent nearly two decades researching bobcats in New Jersey would spot these native wildcats on a regular basis. If so, you’d be wrong! “For me, without cheating (by tracking a bobcat wearing a radio collar), I think I’ve seen a […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Ever heard of a “sponge city?” Sponge cities are urban areas with a superior ability to absorb rainfall and prevent flooding, thanks to abundant natural features like trees, lakes, and parks – and good infrastructure design. As climate change brings warmer temperatures, and stronger and more […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Walk into nearly any grocery store, any time of year, and you’ll likely find fresh blueberries in the produce aisle. Many consider them a perfect fruit … sweet and juicy, delicious fresh or cooked, and packed with health-boosting antioxidants. If you’re among the many who love […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Winter is the northeast’s quiet season, when songbirds go south, many animals hibernate, and people spend more time indoors. On the increasingly rare occasions when a blanket of snow covers the landscape, New Jersey is as silent as it can get, with even our constant drone […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation It’s easy to take lands in their natural state for granted. An old forest or beautiful meadow in your town may have “always been there,” but unless the land has been permanently preserved, it may be built upon in the future. New Jerseyans seem to understand […]
As housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years, the shortage of affordable homes is making life impossible for hard-working families, hurting both low-income families and the middle class. In New Jersey, one in four families spends half or more of their income on their rent or mortgage — often forced to choose between paying for […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Every year, billions of the world’s animals make incredible journeys over land and sea to breed and find food. Some of these species – including songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, whales, sharks, sea turtles, fish, and monarch butterflies – travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation As thick snow fell on central New Jersey earlier this week, the bald eagle pair at Duke Farms in Hillsborough showed themselves to be responsible parents-to-be, taking turns keeping the two eggs in their nest warm while the other hunted. When it came time for a […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation In an ideal New Jersey, all residents would have equal access to the outdoors and nature, with the joy and health benefits they bring. Unfortunately, there are barriers – some real, some perceived – keeping people out, especially in communities of color. One obvious barrier is […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey’s largest protected property, Wharton State Forest in the Pine Barrens, covers 195 square miles in Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties. For perspective, it’s bigger than the entire land mass of Hudson County! Wharton is crossed by hundreds of miles of avenues used by motor vehicles, everything from highways to […]
By Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation If we say someone’s an “odd duck,” it means they have a quirky personality or unusual habits. The expression comes from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, “The Ugly Duckling,” in which (spoiler alert!) the little duck who doesn’t fit in with the rest of […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation We all have personal boundaries, the limits and rules we set for our relationships. When others don’t respect our boundaries, there can be trouble! People aren’t the only ones with boundaries. Mother Earth also has boundaries – the complex systems and processes that keep the planet […]
By Nina Narang, MSW, LSW Even when teens have come out to their peers about their sexuality or gender identity, it may be harder for them to tell their parents. Having the acceptance and support of their parents can make a big difference in how they feel about themselves. However, when a child comes out, it […]
by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Spring is months away, but as warmer weather arrives we can expect a familiar sight at garden centers and nurseries in New Jersey: a wide offering of non-native woody plants and perennials from foreign landscapes. These plants may be attractive, with blooms or fall colors that […]
by Tom Gilbert, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation No matter where you were in New Jersey in 2023, it was impossible not to notice signs of a changing climate. Wildfires in Canada brought an orange haze to New Jersey’s skies, along with hazardous air quality that triggered breathing problems. Tropical weather systems brought intense […]
by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Here in the nation’s most densely populated state, a diversity of wildlife is something that can never be taken for granted. Wildlife habitats face a constant barrage of threats, and many species are seriously imperiled. A combination of vigilance, sound planning and strong actions is needed to maintain the biological […]
