Earth Day is an annual opportunity for us all to reflect on our place in the world and our contributions to the health of our planet. As we face the looming threat of climate change, it can feel daunting at times, but it is important to maintain perspective and appreciate the progress we’ve made since the first Earth Day in 1970 both globally and locally. Here in the Garden State, we believe that proper management of our land and balancing development and open spaces promotes clean air and water, and fosters a healthy environment where all New Jerseyans may prosper.

Currently, New Jersey Future is working closely with our partners to encourage the governor and legislature to finish the job and fund the development of a park adjacent to the newly-renovated State House. Capital Park can and should be an urban park to accommodate the Trenton community, state workers, school field trips, and any New Jerseyan visiting our capital. Join us for a walkthrough of the anticipated park on April 24, and sign our public comment letter urging government action in support of this urban green space.

I want to highlight a series of resources linked in this month’s newsletter that demonstrate New Jersey Future’s interconnected issue areas, and how we distribute information and support materials to mayors, municipalities, water agencies, and developers.

P.S. The NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference is coming up June 21–23. Be one of the 900 attendees who take part in shaping the future of New Jersey’s development. Registration is now open, with more information below.

At New Jersey Future’s Planning and Redevelopment Conference in June 2022, New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection, Shawn LaTourette, emphasized the historic funding opportunities for NJ flowing from the federal government and implored attendees, “If you don’t have a grant writer on staff, hire one. If you do have one, hire a second.” LaTourette concluded his remarks by stating his desire for New Jersey to seize the opportunity for federal funding, and to position itself well for any additional rounds of funding. Read more.

As the multi-year renovation of NJ’s historic State House nears completion, now is the timely and critical moment to envision the next steps for greening downtown Trenton by creating an urban park. Join us in calling on Governor Murphy and the state legislators to set aside $15 million in this year's budget to build “Capital Park” now!

Join our walkthrough to show your support for this future park and mobilize others to join! Jay Watson, co-executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation, will lead the walking tour at noon, where participants will gather at the State Capitol Fountain (between State Annex and Library), walk through the grounds, and discuss future connectivity and possibilities for the open space.

New Jersey Future and APA New Jersey are proud to present the annual New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment three-day conference convening virtually on June 21–22 and in person on June 23 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick.

Registration is now open! Registration includes a full-access pass to all conference programming, including 36 sessions, a virtual and in-person exhibit floor, and networking with fellow attendees, speakers, and sponsors. An on-demand video library, in addition to session files and resources, will be available to all conference attendees for two months following the conference.

If you are interested in available sponsorship opportunities, please contact Michele Glassburg.

New Jersey Future is always growing in order to build upon our mission and make effective change throughout the Garden State. We are pleased to announce expanded leadership roles in our policy and advocacy work. Diane Schrauth's new title will be Policy Director of Water, overseeing all or the organization's water policy and programmatic work. Chris Sturm, fresh from her sabbatical, will take on a new role as Policy Director of Land Use, leading the team on climate change, transportation, and housing. We are also pleased to welcome Sabrina Rodriguez-Vicenty as our Advocacy and Government Affairs Manager, supporting this policy agenda and more.

Conversations around environmental justice (EJ) and social determinants of health are commonly focused on the inequities that are present in underserved communities: the dangerous developments and contaminants. Often, the focus of environmental justice efforts is on remediating the lead and forever chemicals like PFAS found in the drinking water of low-income communities, or cleaning up the massive superfund sites or improving air quality near freeways that are often sited in communities of color. So naturally, there is a limited discourse in the environmental justice movement on what is missing in communities that have been historically marginalized, especially when it comes to things taken for granted as amenity, like parks. 

“To provide an overarching perspective, there are 100 million people in the United States—of which 28 million are children—who don’t have access to a park within a ten-minute walk of their homes. That’s an equity statement,” said Scott Dvorak, the Associate Vice President and New Jersey State Director of the Trust for Public Land. “In communities of color, the parks people do have access to are, on average, half the size and serve five times as many people as those in privileged areas. In these parks, the programming needs and demand are higher, but the entities responsible for maintaining the parks often have restricted resources.” Read more in our latest blog, "Access to Parks is an Environmental Justice Issue."

This quarterly primer from the JWW Lead in Drinking Water Task Force provides key information on how lead pipes can be replaced quickly, cost-effectively, and with community support.

New Jersey Future has prepared Creating Great Places To Age: A Community Guide to Implementing Aging-Friendly Land Use Decisions to provide communities with a step-by-step process to make designing for the needs of older residents easier.

The New Jersey Stormwater Utility Resource Center is a one-stop shop housing technical, legal, and financial information, case studies, and helpful guidance on stormwater solutions, community process, and public engagement.

The Developers Green Infrastructure Guide 2.0 breaks down New Jersey’s Stormwater Rule amendments and helps developers and decision-makers more clearly understand green infrastructure options and advantages, compare alternatives, and evaluate costs and benefits.