MLK Day of Service

On January 20, 2014, numerous AmeriCorps groups and citizen volunteers joined United Way of Monmouth County to help rebuild house in Union Beach, NJ. This was a highly publicized event with many people on hand including NJ Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. Volunteers met at the Union Beach Firehouse and were treated to breakfast before heading out to one of four sites in Union Beach.

The NJWAP group helped about a Union Beach family who was living in the upstairs portion of their house due to the damage incurred on the first floor during Superstorm Sandy. We got drywall up on the majority of the walls and ceilings when we noticed people shuffling around more than usual. Turns out, we had some special visitors-- U.S. Senator Cory Book and Congressman Frank Pallone! They came out to make NJ residents aware of the service we were performing and even put up a sheet of drywall together with some United Way volunteers. We even got a group picture with Cory Booker-- go NJWAP!

(Photo credit: Thalya Reyes)

Senator Booker and Congressman Pallone helping out! (Photo credit: Thalya Reyes)

After our day of service was complete, I walked away feeling so content that I was able to help a NJ family with my fellow service members. Superstorm Sandy affected numerous individuals and families throughout the region, and many still need assistance in getting back on their feet. If you are interested in volunteering, a great place to start is Jersey Cares-- keyword search "disaster."

NJWAP Year 14 along with Cory Booker and Frank Pallone!

"Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth." -Shirley Chisholm

ANJEE Conference 2014

The Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE) hosts an annual conference where educators, scientists, and environmentalists can share their thoughts, experiences, and information with others. This year's conference was held in Princeton, NJ from January 24-25, 2014. 

ANJEE logo (soon to be changed!)

The two-day event is jam-packed with speakers, workshops, tabling, and meetings. I was thrilled to see representatives from the NJ Geographic Alliance from Rowan University-- my department colleagues! I was able to attend various workshops on topics including Eco Schools, climate issues with Climate Reality Project, sustainable town development, and animal advocacy. It was wonderful networking with the individuals a part of such wonderful institutions across the state some of whom were former NJ Watershed Ambassadors like Allison Kohler, the School Programs Coordinator at Fernbrook Farms in Chesterfield, NJ (Mercer County) and Heather Desko of the Watershed Protection Unit at NJ Water Supply Authority (NJWSA).

Genesis (red-tailed hawk) from Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, NJ (Burlington County) (Photo credit: Thalya Reyes)

If you are interested in joining ANJEE and a regional ANJEE group (North, Central, South), go to their website to find out more!