Category: Blog

The Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) is native to New Jersey, as well as Michigan and parts of the US coast of the Gulf of Mexico. These amphibians thrive in a wide range of habitats from woodlands to beaches. However, they cannot withstand extreme temperatures, so they burrow underground for protection during the hot and cold months

On Saturday, November 1st, NJSOC proudly hosted our annual Staff, Board, and Volunteer Appreciation Day, a special opportunity to recognize the incredible individuals who pour their passion, time, and talent into our mission year-round

This month, we are spotlighting the Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) as part of our Wildlife At Risk blog series. This amphibian has a black body with markings that differ in color based on its sex (gray for females and white for males). Residing in moist forested regions, this solitary salamander is oftentimes discovered underneath rocks or in leaf litter, and can be found throughout the entire state of New Jersey

Last week, teachers from across New Jersey gathered together at NJSOC for our latest professional development workshop, Beavers: Nature’s Engineers. Led by NJSOC’s Director of Education, Tanya Sulikowski, and Holly Romahn, a 4th grade teacher at Hardyston Elementary School and part-time naturalist at High Point State Park, this immersive hands-on experience gave K-12 educators the chance to explore how one small mammal has an outsized impact on our ecosystems, and how to bring that story into their classrooms

By: Michela Sales, NJSOC Executive Assistant We were thrilled to welcome 15 students from Ramapo College’s Civic and Community Engagement Center for a weekend of service, learning, and discovery in Stokes State Forest. Led by NJSOC’s Director of Education, Tanya Sulikowski, the students rolled up their sleeves and got right

Throughout the next few months, we are excited to showcase animals located around the NJSOC to raise awareness about conserving at-risk species and ways you could make a difference

As summer 2025 is nearing an end, I am saddened to announce that I will be leaving the NJSOC. I loved assisting the NJSOC team these past several months, including analyzing data for the Salamander Population and Adaptation Research Collaboration Network (SPARCnet), teaching Herpetology to 4th-12th graders, and caring for NJSOC’s Educational Ambassador Animals

Over the past few months, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to intern at the New Jersey School of Conservation, a place where environmental education, community, and stewardship come together in meaningful ways. As a proud Ramapo College of New Jersey alum, this experience has been such an important step in my journey—allowing me to step into new roles, gain practical skills, and see what environmental education looks like in action

As the seasons change and the air turns crisp, the Friends of the NJ School of Conservation invite you to join us for a series of programs designed to bring people closer to nature. From guided hikes and hands-on workshops to creative arts and mindful observation, our Fall and Winter 2025 programs offer something for everyone who loves the outdoors

By: Amelia Basile, NJSOC Education Volunteer At Stokes Music Camp, campers from ages 10 to 17 partake in outdoor activities, learn about the environment through NJSOC classes, challenge their musical skills and meet new friends that share a love for music. Whether these campers stay for one week or two,

For two weeks in July the New Jersey School of Conservation hosted Stokes Music Camp; an opportunity for student musicians to expand their musical talents and creativity in our beautiful and inspiring outdoor setting

By: Ashleigh Clenord, Education Intern This summer, the NJSOC will proudly welcome a dynamic lineup of programs that unite young people, educators, and communities in transformative ways. Thanks to valued partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to education, leadership, and environmental stewardship, NJSOC continues to be a place where

We were glad to host Fair Lawn Memorial Middle School eighth graders for a two-day, one-night trip from June 11th-12th. This was our final school group of the year and the first time that Fair Lawn visited our campus post-pandemic. The middle school had previously traveled to NJSOC each spring, with their first field trip in 2014

By Tara Schaberg, NJSOC Archives Project Volunteer Every year in June, Father’s Day honors fathers and father figures, celebrating their contributions of guidance and support and the impact they have in shaping a child’s life and values. A field biology class studying at the New Jersey School of Conservation exactly

By: Shayne Russell, NJSOC Archives Project Volunteer The School of Conservation was buzzing on Sunday. Inside Long House, our Archives volunteers were busy as bees bringing SOC’s history to life through organizing and cataloging box after box of documents and artifacts. Looking out the window, there was a view of

By: Ashley Rogers, Education Intern A big, warm welcome to our second summer intern, Ashley Rogers, to the NJSOC community! Ashley recently graduated from Drew University with Honors in Biology (B.S.), having successfully completed a thesis in bird habituation. Ashley was also proud to be inducted into the Phi Beta

For the past six months, I have had the amazing opportunity to work with the NJSOC as a high school intern. Since I was little, I have always been fascinated with the natural world and my educational journey through the Environmental Science Academy at Jefferson Township High School has given me the wonderful experience to do a 120 hour internship that focuses on what I love

Ashleigh is a proud alumna of Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she graduated cum laude with a major in Environmental Studies and minors in Public Policy and Sustainability. Throughout her college career, she maintained a 3.6 GPA, earned Dean’s List recognition, and was inducted into two national honor societies

As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with immense gratitude and pride. The New Jersey School of Conservation has long stood as a beacon of environmental education, stewardship, and community engagement—and 2024 was a year that reminded us just how powerful this mission continues to be

This month, NJSOC Staff and Master Educators took another important step in ensuring the safety of our community and the individuals who visit campus: completing certification in Adult and Pediatric CPR, AED, and First Aid

At NJSOC, you can find a large variety of beautiful native plants and flowers. In this post, you will learn all about our most common and favorite flora found here! You will also learn how to spot them and some fascinating facts

Have you wondered what types of animals you might see at the NJSOC? In northern New Jersey, there are so many unique, beautiful, and important species. Here we will highlight a few that have been seen roaming the campus

Our Eastern Painted Turtle, Picta, is named after her scientific name Chrysemys picta. Painted turtles are native to the state of New Jersey and found all over the United states, southern Canada and parts of Mexico. This species thrives in the New Jersey habitat due to the abundance of freshwater, wetlands, the temperate climate, and prey available to them

Meet our next Ambassador Animal, Elaphe,our 25 year old corn snake! Corn snakes are native to southern New Jersey and can live up to 6-8 years old in the wild. In captivity, corn snakes can live up to 23 years old, therefore making Elaphe a senior snake. She got her name from the species scientific name, Elaphe guttata guttata