Calling Governor Sherrill and your legislators is one of the most effective ways to support the New Jersey School of Conservation. They need to hear from their constituents that restoring funding to NJSOC is a priority!
Here’s a quick guide on how to make a brief phone call to help our campaign!
Identifying your Elected Officials
Before calling, use the tools below to find the correct phone numbers for the Governor and your local representatives.
- Call Governor Sherrill’s Office: You can reach the Governor’s office directly at 609-292-6000.
- Find Your Local Legislators: Visit the Common Cause Find Your Representative Tool and enter your home address. This will give you the names and phone numbers of your specific State Senator and two Assembly members.
In total, you will be making four phone calls — one to Governor Sherrill, one to your state Senator and two to your Assemblymembers.
Tip: You will likely speak to a staff member or be asked to leave a voicemail. Staff members are very polite and track every call they receive. Your call takes less than two minutes!
Sample Phone Call Script
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I am a New Jersey resident living in [Your Town].
I am calling to urge [Governor Sherrill / Senator Name / Assemblymember Name] to restore the $3 million in funding for the New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC) in the state budget by supporting Senate Budget Resolution No. 302 and Assembly Budget Resolution No. 990.
The school’s funding was completely cut, and if it isn’t put back before the June deadline, this 77-year-old state treasure will be forced to close its doors forever, impacting thousands of students across New Jersey.
This is incredibly important to me because:
- It’s about fairness for kids: NJSOC provides life-changing outdoor education for thousands of students every year. More than half of them come from low-income, Title 1 schools. For many of these children, it is their only chance to experience nature.
- It protects student mental health: Kids are facing a massive mental health crisis right now. Spending time in nature at NJSOC teaches teamwork, builds confidence, and gives kids a safe place to clear their minds.
- Closing it wastes our tax dollars: The State of New Jersey actually owns this $34 million property. If the school closes, the state is still legally responsible for the millions of dollars it will cost to secure, maintain, and guard an empty, rotting facility. It makes zero sense to spend millions to mothball a site when we could invest $3 million to keep it open and thriving.
Please tell the [Governor / Senator / Assemblymember] to stand up for our kids and our environment by restoring the $3 million for NJSOC. New Jersey cannot afford to let this special place go dark.
Tips and Tricks
Personalize this script by adding a sentence or two about your connection to the school. If you came as a student, share a favorite memory. If you are a teacher, talk about how NJSOC helped open your students’ eyes to nature.
This personal touch will help make your calls stand out!