Just one hour from The School of Conservation, Vince Portelli makes maple syrup from local sugar maple trees in his backyard. He started his business, Frontier Maple Products, after friends and family enjoyed his sapping hobby that he learned through youtube videos. Now, he sources thousands of gallons of his sap from friends in New York State and collects some from his yard in Bloomingdale, NJ. To collect the sap, he travels with a large stainless steel tank from New Jersey to New York and back

For March, our at-risk species of focus is the Barred Owl (Strix varia), a brown-and-white-striped raptor that resides in both forested locales and swampland. This species has the appearance of a large fluffy-looking owl, with a brown barring on its upper breast and brown streaking on its lower breast and belly. Its head is rounded and lacks ear tufts, while its eyes are dark brown. The Barred Owl occurs throughout the eastern United States, north to southern Canada, and south to the Gulf Coast and Florida, and is a year-round resident, meaning it does not migrate

This month’s at-risk species is the Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum). The elusive amphibian overwinters in deciduous forested areas, while it breeds in vernal pools, which are temporary bodies of water that dry up in the summer. They are usually found under logs and other ground-lying objects, however, they are a rare find unless you are looking to observe them on breeding nights in the late winter or early spring

Black History Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the individuals who have helped shape our nation’s story, including leaders who have protected land, water, and community health. Black environmental leaders have long advocated for access to clean air, safe water, and healthy places to live, helping shape our understanding of conservation and justice for generations to come. From early pioneers who practiced sustainable land use, to modern advocates fighting environmental inequality, to young leaders redefining what environmentalism looks like, their impact continues to grow

This past Wednesday, we were excited to welcome our very first school group of 2026 to campus: Jordan Road School from the Somers Point School District! Their sixth-grade class joined us for a three-day, two-night overnight experience, continuing a tradition that spans more than four decades

This January, we are spotlighting the Bobcat (Lynx rufus), an elusive feline native to NJ. Bobcats are considered a medium-sized cat, standing at about two feet tall – they are larger than a domesticated housecat but much smaller than a cougar or lion. The species’ fur can range from a yellowish brown color to a reddish brown color, with distinctive markings varying from ‘tabby’ strips to heavy spotting. Their ears are slightly tufted and they have a short bobbed tail

As 2025 comes to a close, we at the NJ School of Conservation are reflecting on a year marked by connection — to students, educators, researchers, partners, and the land that sustains our work. Across every department, our shared commitment to environmental education, stewardship, and community shaped a year of meaningful progress

Our next at-risk species is the Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen), also commonly referred to as the Northern Copperhead. This reptile resides in a variety of environments, ranging from forests and wetlands to suburbs. Northern Copperheads range from the Florida panhandle to northern Massachusetts, and west to Nebraska

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