New Jersey Resources Partners with Rutgers to Boost Community Resilience and Sustainability
- New Jersey Resources partners with Rutgers University, committing $50,000 for sustainability in South Toms River's Manitou Park area.
- The initiative focuses on environmental improvements, green spaces, and flood risk mitigation, enhancing community resilience.
- NJR emphasizes community investment and environmental stewardship, aligning corporate, academic, and local efforts for meaningful change.
New Jersey Resources Strengthens Community Resilience through New Partnership
New Jersey Resources (NJR) establishes a significant partnership with Rutgers University, committing $50,000 from its Coastal Climate Initiative (CCI) to support the "Vibrant Communities" program aimed at enhancing sustainability and resilience in the Manitou Park area of South Toms River Borough. This initiative targets communities recognized as overburdened, reflecting NJR's commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. The project is designed to develop a sustainable landscape master plan that focuses on environmental improvements and long-term community benefits.
The collaboration will engage graduate students from Rutgers’ Landscape Architecture Program, offering them a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in community and regulatory engagement. According to Steve Westhoven, President and CEO of NJR, this partnership embodies the company's core value of investing in the communities it serves. He states, "Giving back and investing in the communities we serve is a core value of our company," reinforcing NJR's dedication to fostering local environmental stewardship. The project aims to enhance green spaces, improve stormwater management, and ultimately mitigate flood risks while reducing pollution entering the Toms River.
Professor Holly Nelson from Rutgers emphasizes the collaborative nature of this initiative, which aligns corporate partners, academic institutions, and local communities to drive meaningful change. Key goals include not only the implementation of sustainable landscaping but also the cultivation of a stewardship and management plan that ensures ongoing community engagement and benefits. This program not only addresses pressing challenges related to climate change but also enhances NJR's role as a leader in environmental education and community resilience.
In addition to the partnership with Rutgers, NJR recently held its 72nd Annual Shareowners Meeting, where shareowners elected three new members to the board of directors. The meeting highlighted the company’s commitment to governance alongside its community initiatives. NJR operates five primary businesses, including New Jersey Natural Gas and Clean Energy Ventures, and is dedicated to promoting energy conservation and efficiency while serving over 1,300 employees in New Jersey.
This recent collaboration marks a progressive step for NJR as it actively engages in addressing environmental challenges while fostering educational opportunities, highlighting its dual commitment to community development and sustainability.