Rutgers Environmental Stewards learn about water resources on an EcoCruise
If you want to help protect the environment and to make a difference in your community, but you’re not sure where to start, then now is the time to join the Rutgers Environmental Steward Volunteer Program. The program is open to anyone, regardless of their experience or past training, and teaches participants how to tackle important environmental issues and to make positive change locally.
Stewards attend weekly classes on a wide variety of topics including climate change, green infrastructure, environmental justice and wildlife habitat. Each class is taught by a leading researcher from Rutgers University, a government agency or the non-profit sector. The 2022 class will run 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays, from Jan. 25 through May 17. This year’s class will be a hybrid of Zoom sessions, in-person instruction, field trips and on-demand electives.
Participants choose and complete a volunteer internship project in their community to become certified as a Rutgers Environmental Steward.
Environmental Stewards on a field trip to the Forsythe Wildlife Refuge.
Here are just a few examples of recent projects:
- A group of stewards assisted with a recycling inspection and education program in several Atlantic County communities which resulted in significant decreases in contamination and improved quality of the material collected in these neighborhoods.
- Lois started the state’s first Adopt A Storm Drain program. During the pandemic, residents could do their part while at home to prevent pollution. Lois’ project prevented 528 pounds of material from the storm drain system thereby helping improve water quality in her community.
- Rosann, John and Megan made 1,000 native bee home kits out of bamboo and included how-to guides which were distributed throughout three NJ counties.
- Jinny organized and ran a symposium in Cape May on the science of climate change which brought scientists and experts from as far as Alabama to share critical information to coastal residents.
The internship project provides stewards with real world experiences and builds relationships by working on local environmental problems. With more than 900 volunteers trained since the start of the program in 2005, stewards continue to make an impact in their communities.
ES interns address recycling contamination.
“This program is an excellent way to lean about issues that impact us directly. Participants learn about the science behind these issues, but also tap into a network of experts and resources that can help them to address problems in their communities,” notes Amy Menzel, regional coordinator for the RES program in Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean Counties. “Stewards come from all walks of life, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, but they immediately become part of an ever-growing community of individuals who want to learn and make a difference. Every class is different, but it always attracts smart, curious and passionate people.”
The Rutgers Environmental Stewards program is offered in New Jersey through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, NJ Agriculture Experiment Station, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in cooperation with individual county governments and entities such as the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, which has hosted the program since 2008.
To learn more or to register visit https://envirostewards.rutgers.edu/
