Archive for January 2025

By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation “Small is beautiful,” economist E.F. Schumacher argued in his notable 1973 collection of essays. That idea often holds true for green spaces in our more compact communities, where small places can make a big difference. Consider the mighty microforest! Forty years ago, botany professor Dr. Akira…

By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey is small and densely populated, and the environment in this state we’re in is always in the crosshairs. From a climate perspective, things were pretty bad in 2024 as we experienced the hottest summer on record followed in October with the driest month.  We…

By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Lions? No. Tigers? None. Bears? Oh, yes! Black bears to be precise. New Jersey is fortunate to have a healthy population of these highly intelligent, impressive creatures that have been fascinating humans for thousands of years. So what are these furry neighbors up to round about…

By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Mothers and fathers work hard all year round. In the natural world, parents are constantly laboring to keep their young healthy and safe. This time of year in New Jersey, eggs are already on the way for some species of raptors. Great horned owls and bald…

By Alison Mitchell, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Happy New Year! During this time of rest and reflection, a walk in nature can bring clarity and refresh our spirits for the new year. New Jersey residents are lucky to have a variety of ecosystems to stroll through, and while Mother Nature’s gifts are abundant…