News Archive

  • DEP efforts to save state’s last wild population of endangered grassland herb showing signs of promise

    The Department of Environmental Protection has high hopes for steps taken this year to improve the survival chances for New Jersey’s last remaining wild population of American chaffseed, a flowering perennial herb with highly specialized habitat needs. The species’ last stronghold is in a state forest in the Pinelands of Burlington County.

    To restore the habitat at the Burlington County location, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service in late winter conducted a prescribed burn, then the New Jersey Forest Service thinned the surrounding trees to increase sunlight. Volunteers from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Pinelands Preservation Alliance also manually cut back competing shrubs. Duke Farms in Hillsborough also contributed by propagating at its site plants from seed collected at the wild population. The New Jersey State Forest Nursery in Jackson has been working to propagate plants to aid in re-establishing this rare species.

    The project is being overseen by the DEP’s Office of Natural Lands Management. The Burlington County site has more than 80 American chaffseed plants.

  • New Jersey forest service encourages landowners to help spread shortleaf pine trees across Pinelands region

    As a partner in a multistate initiative, the Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging landowners in the Pinelands to use technical assistance and expertise available through the New Jersey Forest Service to help restore shortleaf pine trees to the region.

    The Forest Service is a partner in the Shortleaf Pine Initiative comprising 22 states, federal forestry and wildlife organizations, and other partners. The New Jersey Forest Service offers technical and other assistance to help landowners incorporate the species into their forest management plans.

  • DEP Extends Recreational Use Advisory on Clinging Jellyfish to Ocean County’s Metedeconk River

    The Department of Environmental Protection is advising recreational users of Ocean County’s Metedeconk River to exercise caution following confirmation of the presence of clinging jellyfish, a non-native species with a powerful sting, in this coastal waterway.

    In addition to the Metedeconk River, the DEP reminds recreational users of the Shrewsbury and Manasquan rivers – Monmouth County waterways where the clinging jellyfish had been confirmed in recent years – to be alert to its possible presence.

  • Annual pequest trout hatchery open house showcasing fishing and outdoor recreation to be held June 2 and 3 in Warren County

    The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is hosting its annual Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center Open House and outdoors recreation flea market on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3.

    The free event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, showcases New Jersey’s natural resources, as well as the hatchery that raises trout stocked throughout the state. The hatchery is in Oxford, Warren County.

  • DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife offers safety tips as black bears enter active spring period

    The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is providing property owners and outdoor enthusiasts with safety tips as black bears search for food after emerging from winter dens.

    “At this time of year, it is important for residents who live in New Jersey’s bear country to be aware of some steps they can follow to reduce the chances of a bear coming onto their properties,” said Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources Ray Bukowski. “It is also a good time for anyone who spends time outdoors to become familiar with ways to stay safe.”

  • DEP completes $18.4 million project to repair southern LBI beaches and dunes using sand dredged from Little Egg inlet

    A contractor for the Department of Environmental Protection has completed an $18.4 million project to rebuild storm-damaged beaches and dunes in southern Long Beach Island while creating a safe navigation channel for nearby Little Egg Inlet.

    As a result, the DEP will place a request with the U.S. Coast Guard to mark the boating channel for the inlet, a major thoroughfare for boat traffic between southern Long Beach Island and Brigantine that had never been previously dredged.

  • DEP seeking nominations for 28th annual New Jersey Historic Preservation Awards Program

    The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking nominations for New Jersey Historic Preservation Awards, a prestigious honor that acknowledges the dedication of those whose work advances historic preservation in the Garden State.

    Each year, the awards program honors important contributions to the preservation of New Jersey’s historic and archaeological resources, as well as pioneering efforts in sustainability, historic preservation education, interpretive programs, and planning to preserve historic and archaeological resources.

  • Governor Murphy notifies RGGI governors of New Jersey’s commitment to rejoining climate-change compact

    Following up on his pledge to advance New Jersey as a national leader in addressing global warming, Governor Phil Murphy has formally notified governors of states that belong to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative of his administration’s commitment to rejoining the regional climate-change compact.

  • NJ State Park Service Launches Series of Promotional Videos Featuring Music from the Band Phish

    The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Parks and Forestry has launched a series of social media videos featuring music performed by the improvisational rock band Phish to promote outdoor recreation at New Jersey’s parks, forests and recreation areas.

  • Acting Commissioner McCabe names Debbie Mans as Deputy Commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection

    Debbie Mans, who served as Energy Policy Advisor to Governor Jon Corzine, will become Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection effective February 14, Acting Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced today.