August 13, 2008

The Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program is designed to turn interest into action among New Jersey environmentalists. During classroom and field study sessions, participants learn land and water stewardship, best management practices, environmental public advocacy and leadership. Upon completion of 60 hours of classroom instruction and 60 hours of volunteer internship, participants are certified as Rutgers Environmental Stewards.

Recently, a group of graduates came forward to establish an alumni organization to foster the sharing of ideas and support. Membership in the Rutgers EnviroStewards Alumni Association is open to those who have completed 60 hours of instruction in the program. In addition, associate memberships also will be offered to qualifying individuals or groups.

"This association is the first of its kind in New Jersey, and perhaps the country," said
Bruce Barbour, a County Agricultural and Resource Management agent with Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Environmental Stewards program director. "The alumni association is the brainchild of several class of 2007 graduates, and we thought that the concept had merit. It will provide a network for our graduates, continuing to motivate and assist them in working together to take care of New Jersey's natural resources."

The Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program is open to all New Jersey residents with an interest in learning more about the environment and a willingness to donate their time to assist with conservation projects. Training is provided through Cooperative Extension, a unit of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, from faculty and partners from several governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations and agencies. Currently, the program is hosted at five regional sites: the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland, Duke Farms in Hillsborough, the Rutgers EcoComplex in Bordentown, the Atlantic County Utility Authority in Egg Harbor Township, and the Cape May Cooperative Extension Office in Cape May Court House.

The new alumni association will be officially recognized at the 2008 Environmental Stewards' graduation to be held at Duke Farms on August 21.

For more information on the Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program, visit http://envirostewards.rutgers.edu.

Contact: Bruce Barbour
County Agricultural Agent
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
973-285-8308
barbour@njaes.rutgers.edu