By Michele Byers
It’s cause for celebration when a cherished farm or forest is snatched from the jaws of bulldozers. Public fanfare usually accompanies the battle to preserve land.
But once it’s “mission accomplished,” who will take care of the land? Who will make sure the word “preserved” retains any meaning?
Rutgers Cooperative and Research Extension Service has partnered with Duke Farms on a much-needed certification program to help address these kinds of questions. The Rutgers Environmental Steward program combines classroom training with internship experience to teach volunteers about land and water stewardship, best management practices, environmental public advocacy and leadership.
You’re probably aware of your local Rutgers Agricultural Extension Service. It’s the place to go for gardening and farming tips. In this new version, “environmental stewards” learn about managing natural lands and habitats for New Jersey’s native plants and animals.
Over the last few decades, New Jersey’s inventory of open space has expanded greatly. But once a meadow or woodland is preserved, someone must plan for maintaining or enhancing its natural resources. It’s tough to keep the diversity of native plants and animals in a preserved forest, for example, if we let deer eat it up. The Rutgers Environmental Steward program is valuable because it equips volunteers to fill the gap that often occurs after land is preserved.
The program runs each spring and fall. Classes of about 25 students meet at four regional locations for classroom and field study, led by experts from Rutgers and its consortium partners. Students complete their training by serving as interns for nonprofit and government environmental organizations. After 60 hours of classroom instruction and 60 hours of volunteer internship, students receive certification as Rutgers environmental stewards.
Graduates from previous classes already are working on behalf of public lands from positions on municipal environmental commissions, open space committees, park advocacy groups and environmental groups. One was even named Volunteer of the Year in her county for efforts at revamping her local environmental commission, organizing a local cleanup day, reopening an environmental center, enhancing marshland and helping secure a $3,000 grant to write a community forestry management plan.
Environmental stewards can use their new skills and knowledge in many ways. Some are doing clerical work, some data collection, some land management, some organizing local environmental events and some even developing environmental Web sites. The education they receive can be applied to a wide range of individual interests and circumstances.
You can learn all about the program at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/envirostewards/, including a list of regional contacts that can provide more information or help you enroll.
Michele Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. For more information, contact her at [email protected], or visit NJCF’s Web site at www.njconservation.org.
