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Environmental Justice Newsletter
January 2nd, 2025
Summary of Important Dates
 ICYMI: Reflecting on environmental justice in 2024 with OEJ!
The Office of Environmental Justice recently shared an End of Year Newsletter, reflecting on some of our major accomplishments from 2024. In case you missed it, we've provided a brief summary of some of last year's achievements below.
Environmental Justice Community Engagement Sessions
 Over the last three years Commissioner LaTourette, staff from across the Department of Environmental Protection and partners at Region 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency have participated in an Environmental Justice tour to meet with overburdened communities in every region of the state. Since returning to in-person meetings in late 2021, we have visited 18 counties and convened more than 1,000 residents.
In each county, local leaders joined us on a tour that highlighted projects, challenges and environmental justice issues in their communities. This was followed by a community engagement session where we listened to concerns, provided resources, and connected with residents, community-based organizations, and local governments.
These engagement sessions have allowed us to learn more deeply about local issues, receive feedback on DEP’s work, and build invaluable relationships.
Summaries of each community engagement session are available on the OEJ website.
"Navigating the DEP System": Environmental Justice Seminar Series
 In order to increase understanding of DEP programing and processes, the Office of Environmental Justice worked with the Environmental Education and Communication Working Group within DEP's Environmental Justice Advisory Council (EJAC) to create and launch the Navigating the DEP System Seminar Series. The seminar series provided opportunities for advocates to learn about DEP’s tools and rules, connect with like-minded organizers, discover key funding sources and acquire the skills and resources needed to create successful applications, and understand environmental decision-making processes to enhance their ability to make change in their own communities.
All of these sessions were recorded and available for you to view online!
In 2025, we plan to continue this series. What topics would you like to see covered? Please share your ideas and feedback in the survey below.
Environmental Justice Advisory Council
 In 2024, the Environmental Justice Advisory Council welcomed three new members: X Braithwaite for the Statewide Environmental Justice or Environmental Advocacy Organization sector, Timi Lindsay for the Local Grassroots Sector, and Nicole Brown for the Business and Industry Sector. The Council worked on various projects within its Air, Water, Land, and Environmental Education and Communications Working Groups. At the annual retreat on December 11th, EJAC members convened in Elizabeth to reflect on the past year and finalize the workplan for 2025, which will be available soon.
Find out more about last year's projects and stay tuned for the 2025 workplan.
Follow OEJ on social media!
Follow us at on Instagram to learn more about environmental justice in New Jersey, stay up to date on OEJ events, and learn more about DEP resources and funding opportunities for 2025.
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Participation Opportunities
Upcoming Environmental Justice Law Public Hearings
February 13- Reworld Union Title V Renewal, AO-25 (virtual)
Facilities subject to the Environmental Justice Law must facilitate meaningful opportunities for overburdened communities to engage in permitting decisions for pollution-generating facilities through an enhanced public participation process. Subscribe to EJ Law notices by County
 Statewide Trail Needs Assessment Survey for Trail Professionals
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Department of Transportation are partnering to update statewide trail planning documents with the goal of providing guidebooks to assist in the development of a system of trails and greenways throughout the state. As part of this effort, DEP has released a survey intended for those who plan, manage, or contribute to the development and maintenance of trails and greenways in New Jersey, such as:
- active transportation and recreation planners who identify potential trail connections,
- municipal administrators or clerks who navigate trail funding,
- elected officials who oversee trails or who are working to develop trails within their community,
- and public works or park employees and volunteers who maintain trails.
The goal of the survey - the Statewide Trail Needs Assessment for Trail Planners and Managers - is to better understand the needs and priorities of our communities. The survey addresses key topics that have been identified by the planning team, including funding, connecting and facilitating trail projects, trail user safety, and action items for further developing the state's system of trails. Survey responses will inform guidebook content and technical assistance program development, working to ensure that all New Jersey residents have safe and equitable access to quality outdoor recreation and active transportation opportunities.
Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities
In case you missed it, see below for opportunities that provide funding and assistance for projects related to green infrastructure, climate change, healthy communities, and more.
Applications Now Open for the UPLIFT Grant Program
Applications are now open for the UPLIFT Climate and Environmental Community Action Grant program! This program provides funding to partnered higher education institutions and community-based organizations in order to connect environmental justice communities with institutional resources, build the capacity of disadvantaged communities to influence environmental governance, and advance cooperative climate resilience projects. Specifically, the grant will support the development of an "UPLIFT Climate and Environmental Action Community of Practice" that will bring together local stakeholders to evaluate and redress environmental and climate injustices and facilitate the meaningful participation of disadvantaged communities in government decision-making processes. For example, to foster a Community of Practice, funding may be used to develop civic education training, create an environmental advisory board, or design a participatory budgeting framework in local government.
The grant will also support the development of a Climate and Environmental Community Action (CECA) Subaward Program, leveraging connections established through each "Community of Practice" to implement projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution in disadvantaged communities.
Applications are due February 25th, 2025. Learn more online.
DOE Community Energy Connectors: Regional Clean Energy & Economic Development Support
The Department of Energy's Office of State and Community Energy Programs is launching the Community Energy Connectors: Regional Clean Energy & Economic Development Support Opportunity. This initiative aims to expand the capacity of local and regional stakeholders to foster economic development through clean energy. This program seeks organizations that can support disadvantaged and Tribal communities, improving their access to clean energy resources and economic opportunities.
The Department of Energy is requesting applications from organizations that possess a strong understanding of renewable energy strategies and demonstrated experience providing tailored technical assistance, resources, and outreach to support clean energy transitions in these communities. Selected organizations will provide advisory and technical support, focusing on building equitable and inclusive energy development strategies that align with local priorities.
Applications are due January 28, 2025. Learn more online.
Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Steward Program
Administered through the US Department of Interior and the National Park Service, the Bringing Youth Outdoors Together and Environmental Steward Program provides young people, particularly youth from underserved communities in urban, rural, military, and native settings -- with outdoor experiences and excursions to their local national park. The program focuses on youth development, recreation, service, social and environmental responsibility, and healthy living that emphasizes the value and significance of natural and cultural resources in nearby parks and communities. Local governments, school districts, non-profits, higher education institutions, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply.
Applications are due February 8th, 2025. Learn more online.
Green Acres 2025 Funding Round Now Open!
The Green Acres Program 2025 funding round is now open! These grant opportunities are for local governments and non-profits seeking to acquire open space for recreation and conservation purposes, develop outdoor recreational facilities, and steward natural resources on land held for those purposes. Non-profit grants specifically consider recreational development in urban and densely populated areas to increase accessibility of green space. Applications for land acquisition, park development, stewardship, Jake’s Law (Completely Inclusive Playgrounds), and Urban Parks projects are now being accepted. All applicants must provide opportunity for meaningful public engagement to ensure park planning and development decisions incorporate community input.
All applications are due February 5th, 2025. More information is available online.
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All New Jersey residents, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, have a right to live, work, and recreate in a clean and healthy environment. Historically, New Jersey’s low-income communities and communities of color face a disproportionately high number of environmental and public health stressors and, as a result, suffer from increased adverse health effects. New Jersey seeks to correct these outcomes by furthering the promise of environmental justice.
DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) aims to improve the quality of life in New Jersey’s most vulnerable communities by educating and empowering communities who are often outside of government decision-making processes and guiding DEP’s programs and other state departments and agencies in implementing environmental justice.
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