On October 11th, 2023, Kerry Kirk Pflugh, President of the Friends of New Jersey School of Conservation (Friends) was awarded the Above & Beyond Award by Julia Somers and David Budd on behalf of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition.
The New Jersey Highlands Coalition’s stated mission is to protect, enhance and promote the vital water and other natural and cultural resources of the New Jersey Highlands – including the historic New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC).
The annual Above & Beyond award is given to a dedicated environmental activist who puts an unparalleled amount of effort into the wellbeing of the State of New Jersey.
This year, Kerry was selected to receive the honor “for leadership in saving The New Jersey School of Conservation when it was abandoned by its previous management due to the pandemic. By rallying the Friends group and reaching out to the business, environmental and academic communities and key legislators, the campaign resulted in State funding to reopen the doors, perform long-deferred maintenance and restoration, and an ambitious plan to reimagine environmental education for the 21st century, reviving this venerated educational institution.”
Kerry and the team at NJSOC are thrilled by this recognition and look forward to working with the New Jersey Highlands Coalition on the mission to restore the school’s campus and enhance the experience and cohesion of this important environmental region.
“If not for the incredible determination and passion of Kerry Kirk Pflugh, the New Jersey Highlands may have lost a world-class institution for outdoor and environmental learning,” said Julia Somers, Executive Director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, “Thanks to her Above & Beyond efforts, students in our region will continue to have access to enriching experiences that highlight how important it is to care for the world around us.”
So much is happening on campus at NJSOC! Check out our upcoming events to see for yourself: https://njsoc.org/events/
