Last week, the NJ School of Conservation was pleased to unveil a historic marker, presented by the Sussex County Commissioners Historical Marker Program. It was a joyous day filled with excitement, camaraderie, and of course, history for all of those who attended

Thanks to our community of supporters, 2025 was a year of incredible growth, connection, and impact at the NJ School of Conservation. We’re excited to share our 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the meaningful progress we made together

What makes a life-changing outdoor education experience possible? At the NJ School of Conservation, our class offerings range from environmental sciences to humanities, social sciences, and outdoor pursuits—the possibilities for learning are endless. But who teaches these classes, and how do they become so skilled? At NJSOC, we don’t just have teachers—we have Master Educators

After more than 75 years of leading the world in outdoor education, the gates of New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC) are at risk of closing forever. Governor Sherrill’s proposed budget eliminates all funding for NJSOC

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