NJ Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey Sierra Club honored DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette with its Environmental Achievement Award during its 2024 Appreciation Celebration last night in Jersey City! The award recognizes the Commissioner’s outstanding efforts to protect and preserve Liberty State Park through a multiphase revitalization program. He was presented with the award by Ben Jealous, Sierra Club Executive Director, and N.J. Lieutenant Governor Lt. Governor Tahesha Way. The Sierra Club also recognized state Senator Ben Smith and Senator Raj Mukherji with Environmental Champion Awards, and lauded volunteer leaders Bill Beren and Kip Cherry for their environmental work.

New Jersey DEP’s Forest Fire Service is headed home after aiding California’s fight against wildfires since June. Using FFS engines, each New Jersey crew worked two-week assignments. The crews coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management/California Desert District, providing support in the Angeles, Inyo, Los Padres, San Bernardino and Sequoia national forests. In addition, FFS deployed a 20-person Initial Attack Hand Crew to aid with several fires. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the Forest Fire Service responded to more than 350 wildfires last month, including major blazes in Livingston, Downe Township and Rockaway since Oct. 26, and is now working on a multiacre-wildfire in Jackson as the state’s dangerously dry period continues into November. Out-of-state assignments have no impact on the ability of the Forest Fire Service to fight wildfires in New Jersey.

???? Coming Soon: New Opportunities ???? This November, we’re thrilled to welcome new talent into our DEP community through various career and internship opportunities! Are you ready to make a difference in environmental protection? Be sure to visit our employment page and check back on our LinkedIn in November to explore exciting career paths with DEP. Employment Opportunities Page: dep.nj.gov/jobs/

??Celebrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Day at DEP! Last Wednesday for DEIB Day there were food trucks, live music, games and a performance by the Mercer County Community College Dance Troupe. Remarks were also shared by DEP, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, New Jersey Civil Service Commission New Jersey Department of the Treasury leaders, celebrating diversity and encouraging employees to embrace their true selves. #BelongNJ #DEIBDay

It’s National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. New Jersey is taking bold steps to reduce kids’ exposure to lead and has resources for all residents to prevent lead’s serious health effects. Get the facts. #NationalLeadPoisoningPreventionWeek #LeadFreeKids #NLPPW2024 New Jersey Department of Education New Jersey Department of Community Affairs NJ Department of Health Shawn LaTourette

?? As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, we’re sharing some images from our annual DEP celebration honoring Hispanic and Latino cultures. The event, hosted by DEP’s Latino Advocates for Diversity (LEAD) employee resource group, featured N.J. artists Esmeralda Aguiar and Mercy Villa, who shared their evocative art, music and poetry. #HispanicHeritageMonth

??? Exciting news for National Drive Electric Week! New Jersey is committing $15 million to fund 48 electric school buses, ensuring cleaner air for our children and communities. Plus, we’re launching the New Jersey Fleet Advisor program to help small fleets transition to zero-emission vehicles. Together, we’re driving towards a greener future! Read the entire press release at: https://lnkd.in/eBFMEy_C #DriveElectricWeek #SustainableNJ Shawn LaTourette, State of New Jersey

We can do mulitple things at once—like enjoying and making productive use of our natural and working lands while also managing them to sequester more carbon in the fight against climate change. How? Check out the State of New Jersey’s Strategy to Advance Carbon Sequestration on Natural and Working Lands, which charts a course for multiplying sequestration across the Garden State’s vast forests, agricultural lands, wetlands, shorelines, developed lands, and aquatic habitats. Many thanks to the incredible pros of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Agriculture, and our many partners, whose hard and thoughtful work will enable New Jerseyans to harness the full potential of our natural assets in the gravely necessary work of reducing planet-warming emissions and securing a stable climate for our children and all those who follow. #climateweek #climatechange #climateaction #carbonsequestration #naturallands #workinglands #newjersey #nj

Happy Climate Week, New Jersey! ?? This week is all about bringing back the focus on our climate and what we can do to speed up the progress or champion the work in the fight against climate change. As kickoff to climate week, we are highlighting the ongoing revitalization work at Liberty State Park! Join us this Sat. Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. for an open house at the Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal building. There, we'll have plans on display for new work that includes restoration of the historic train shed, new vehicle and pedestrian circulation, along with new active recreational amenities. For more info, check out: https://lnkd.in/eNahpBBW #ClimateWeek2024

?? Save the Date! Join us for the ANJEC Environmental Congress on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 9 AM to 4 PM at Votta Hall, Rowan College at Burlington County! ???? Learn more about the event: https://lnkd.in/exK9FuBg Register now: https://lnkd.in/gBkRS4B2 ?? Location: 300 College Circle, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054 #ANJEC #EnvironmentalCongress #Sustainability #LandConservation #ANJECcongress