November 7, 2008

Individuals who would like to learn how to have a role in local environmental decisions are encouraged to enroll in the 2009 Rutgers Environmental Stewards Class.

Imagine being able to discuss climate change with the State Climatologist, New Jersey's geology from the people who map it, and the role of soils in the environment with the head of Rutgers' Soil Testing lab. These are some of the opportunities that are available to enrollees in the Rutgers Environmental Stewards Volunteer Training Program.

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.

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.

Those interested in enrolling in the program are urged to contact the appropriate coordinator for their region:

Essex/Metro
Training Location: Essex County Environmental Center, Roseland, NJ
Normal Class Time: Thursdays, January-May; 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: $250
Contact: Jan Zientek, Zientek@rce.rutgers.edu, program coordinator, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension of Essex County, 621-A Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland, NJ 07068; 973-228-2210

Central/Duke
Training Location: Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ
Normal Class Time: Tuesdays, January-May; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $325
Contact: Rosalie Kelly, rkelly@ddcf.org , Duke Farms Foundation, 80 Route 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844; 908-243-3606

Delaware Region
Training Location: Rutgers EcoComplex, Columbus, NJ
Normal Class Time: Fridays, January-May; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $250
Contact: Laurie Magee, lmagee@aesop.rutgers.edu, Rutgers EcoComplex, 1200 Florence-Columbus Rd., Bordentown, NJ 08505; 609-499-3600, ext. 221

Coastal Region
Training Location: Atlantic County Utility Authority, 6700 Delilah Rd., Egg Harbor Twp, NJ
Normal Class Time: Wednesdays, January-May; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $250
Contact: Amy Menzel, amenzel@acua.com, P.O. Box 996 Pleasantville, NJ 08232; 609-272-6950, ext. 6934

More information, including application forms and the current schedule for lectures, can be found on the web at http://envirostewards.rutgers.edu.

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