Public Notice for Green Acres Funding Application

PURPOSE: The NJ School of Conservation is seeking funding through the State of NJ Green Acres Program for improvements at Stokes State Forest located at 1 Wapalanne Road, Sandyston, NJ 07826 and Skellenger Road in Sandyston Township.

PROJECT SCOPE: The NJ School of Conservation proposes to renovate the following facilities: NJ School of Conservation. A concept plan showing the proposed changes, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project can be found on this webpage

PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT: A copy of the full application will be on file at the offices of
The NJ School of Conservation, 1 Wapalanne Road, Sandyston, NJ 07826, and is available for review and comment. Written comments on the proposed application may be directed to Kerry Kirk Pflugh, Executive Director, kkpflugh@njsoc.org, PO Box 403, Branchville, NJ 07826.

Thanks to the extraordinary passion and relentless advocacy of supporters from every corner of New Jersey, the New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC) is officially writing its next chapter. Months of dedicated grassroots action proved what we’ve always known: NJSOC is an irreplaceable state treasure. Now, that statewide victory has brought us to a historic opportunity to secure $3 million in critical state funding to modernize, restore, and safeguard our historic 240-acre campus for generations to come.

The Opportunity: A $3 Million Green Acres Grant

NJSOC is preparing to submit a major application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Acres Program. Since 1961, Green Acres has led the effort to preserve New Jersey’s natural and historic open spaces. Following landmark legislation recognizing the crucial role nonprofit partners play in uplifting state parks, forests, and historic sites, this funding opportunity allows us to end years of disinvestment in our state-owned campus, which we manage on behalf of DEP to benefit the public.

This opportunity is coming at a critical moment and will enable us to save historic structures that have suffered from years of neglect — allowing us to expand the number of students, researchers, and members of the public we serve each year and enabling us to make our campus more welcoming to diverse individuals with different needs.

Fulfilling Our Mission for the 21st Century

These capital improvements are essential to continuing our mission of promoting conservation, climate education and environmental stewardship. Securing this funding will allow NJSOC to:

• • Modernize Campus Infrastructure: Restore and protect our historic state-owned facilities to ensure that the thousands of visitors who come to our campus each year can safely access our programs around conservation, education and research.

• • Expand Inclusive Public Access: Upgrade campus facilities to be fully ADA-inclusive, ensuring that students, teachers, researchers and visitors of all physical abilities can experience the outdoors without barriers.

• • Deepen Educational Impact: Expand hands-on environmental programs for urban and suburban school districts, Title I students, educators, researchers, and members of the public statewide.

To explore our complete breakdown of planned facility projects, please review our project proposal spreadsheet below: