New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Leaving it better than we found it! 🌿💧 Deputy Commissioner Joe Seebode recently joined scouts, fishermen and community members for a cleanup of the Robinson’s Branch of the Rahway River, helping remove trash and floating debris from the water and surrounding banks. #DEPDelivers

DEP Does That? 🌟Employee Resource Groups Hear from Commissioner Ed Potosnak and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Monise Princilus, as well as members of our ERGs, as they discuss the impacts these groups have made on our workplace. #DEPDoesThat

Tackling microplastic pollution 🌊🔬 The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) has launched the world’s first microplastic filtration system for municipal wastewater treatment at its Atlantic City facility, in partnership with PolyGone Systems.🌎 More: https://bit.pulse.ly/d9soplanjg

Last week, DEP employees got to meet some furry friends from Garden State Animal Rescue Center to kick off the 2026 season of the New Jersey Employees Charitable Campaign (NJECC)! 🐾 (1/3)

Garden State Animal Rescue Center is a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization founded in 2018 with the mission of caring for and educating about all animals across New Jersey. Their work aims to improve animals’ quality of life by providing rescue, veterinary care, enrichment and shelter. (2/3)

NJECC is the only state-authorized charity campaign that allows NJ state employees to donate directly from their paycheck. For over 40 years, over $53 million has been donated to nonprofits through the program. Thank you to all participants of the campaign! (3/3)

❄️ BEFORE THE FIRST FREEZE Prevent frozen pipes & wasted water: ✓ Disconnect outdoor hoses ✓ Drain sprinkler systems ✓ Shut off outdoor faucets One burst pipe wastes 400+ gallons/day (and costs $2,000-5,000 in damage) 5 minutes now = winter peace of mind #EveryDropCounts

Today, the Sherrill Administration requested expedited emergency federal assistance to repair and restore beaches in eight Army Corps of Engineers project areas that were severely damaged during the nor’easter that hammered the state late last month. Click the link in our bio to read the release.

DEP urges motorists to exercise extra caution in response to an uptick in white-tailed deer activity during deer mating season. During mating season, deer are more likely to be present near and on roadways as bucks attempt to court does. 🔗Click the link in our bio to read the news release.

ICYMI: Last week, Commissioner Potosnak joined state and local officials to celebrate a new agreement with Cumberland County to lease and operate the East Point Lighthouse, a historic icon of the Delaware Bay region and one of the state’s few surviving lighthouses from the 19th century.

Join the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience and the Association of School Administrators Education & Research Foundation for a session in the IAC’s Lunch and Learn series, Climate Resilience Strategies for School Leaders. Learn more & register: nj.pulse.ly/cseywuqohj

🎉 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: “Unidos, Somos Más” (“Together, We Are More”)!

Hosted by DEP’s LEAD Employee Resource Group and the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, the celebration featured keynote remarks from Trenton Councilwoman Yazminelly Gonzalez and an Ecuadorian folkloric dance performance by Proyección Folklorica Inspiración Andina NJ.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture! ❤️

Last week, Commissioner Potosnak and Deputy Commissioner Seebode paid a visit to The College of New Jersey to chat with environmental students in honor of Campus Sustainability Month. Thank you to TCNJ for participating and opening the floor for these important environmental discussions. 👏🌍

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife is calling on the public to avoid attracting bears to properties by properly storing garbage and eliminating access to other sources of food around their yards or while outdoors. 🔗News release at https://nj.pulse.ly/gb10bq3frs

State laws ban food service businesses from providing single-use materials unless the customer specifically requests them, businesses can still provide napkins even if a customer does not request any. However, Businesses should check with their municipalities on their local by-request-only rules.

NJ reminds residents to continue to take simple, proactive steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne illness. 🔗News release at https://nj.pulse.ly/zzljpe9ltw

From September 28 through September 30, DEP’s Office of Coastal Engineering performed post-storm inspections along the coastline to ascertain impacts following the recent Nor`easter.

Our experts inspected 240 specific locations during pre-storm and post-storm assessments that equated to 81 reaches of coast. Of the 81 reaches inspected, 53 had minor beach or dune erosion, 18 had moderate beach or dune erosion, and 10 had major beach or dune erosion.

Read the full report at: dep.nj.gov/wp-content/u... #DEPDelivers

Last night, DEP and the @New Jersey Office of the Attorney General joined Camden County residents for a community update and listening session regarding EMR’s Camden scrap metal facility. The session provided residents with an opportunity to learn more about the State’s (1/3)

public nuisance lawsuit against EMR, ask questions, and share their concerns and experiences directly with State representatives. Thank you to the Camden County community members who participated and contributed to this important dialogue. (2/3)

Meaningful community engagement and resident input are essential to advancing environmental justice and addressing environmental concerns across New Jersey. Learn more about our work to strengthen Environmental Justice throughout the state: dep.nj.gov/ej/ (3/3)

New Jersey today launched Nuclear NJ, a new website designed to educate stakeholders about nuclear energy in NJ and the path the state is charting to expand generation capacity, strengthen reliability, reinforce public safety, and address affordability. 🔗News release at nj.gov/bpu/newsroom...

After months of abundant rainfall, we're lifting the statewide drought warning that's been in place since December 2025 ✅ Most regions: returning to NORMAL ⚠️ Coastal South region: moving to drought WATCH #EveryDropCounts More: https://nj.pulse.ly/mnbymiglfl

Did you know that plastic accounts for 60-90% of the waste found in marine environments?* Plastic straws are one of the most littered items across the state, but programs like this are decreasing the number of straws found on our shorelines.** *UN Environment Programme **Clean Ocean Action

It's Climate Week—and climate change means more extreme heat for New Jersey. 🌡 Do you know the signs of heat stroke? How medications can increase heat risk? How to keep outdoor workers safe? Watch, learn, and share: https://nj.pulse.ly/iv5hkosll0 #ClimateWeek2026 #NJClimateWeek

🌳 ICYMI: a Climate Week milestone in Trenton! Commissioner Potosnak joined the NJ Conservation Foundation, local officials and community leaders to plant the 1,000th tree through Trees for Trenton, a community project funded through DEP’s Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program. (1/3)

The milestone also highlighted $9.4 mil in new funding for eight Natural Climate Solutions projects across NJ. These projects are helping restore ecosystems, strengthen community resilience and capture carbon. In Trenton, the final tree was a London plane tree planted along South Clinton Ave, (2/3)

an area vulnerable to urban heat island impacts. Climate Week is a chance to highlight the work happening across New Jersey to prepare communities for flooding, extreme heat, storms and sea level rise. 🔗 Learn more: dep.nj.gov/climatechange/ #ClimateWeek2026 #NJClimateWeek (3/3)

This #ClimateWeek we’re recognizing NJ's commitment to expand clean energy opportunities across the state. The NJ Funding One Stop Shop is a user-friendly interactive tool that asks the user a series of questions about their projects & identifies funding resources that can help reduce costs. (1/2)

njonestopshop.orgNew Jersey’s Funding One-Stop ShopWelcome to New Jersey's Funding One Stop Shop The New Jersey Funding One Stop Shop is designed to help residents, local governments, businesses, and nonprofits pursue critical green projects from ho...

Whether you’re a resident, local government, business or nonprofit, this tool helps connect you with the best funding options to pursue sustainability-based projects. 🔗 Learn more about the program and explore opportunities at: njonestopshop.org (2/2)

NJDEP today announced that it has fined the DataOne data center in Vineland, Cumberland County, $1.07 million for violations of the New Jersey Air Pollution Control Act for installing and operating 62 large natural-gas power generators without the requisite DEP permits. dep.nj.gov/newsrel/26_0...

NJDEP Commissioner Potosnak marked Climate Week today by planting the 1,000th tree in Trenton through a partnership with the NJ Conservation Foundation’s Trees for Trenton community project. The project is funded by DEP’s Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program. 🔗 dep.nj.gov/newsrel/26_0... (1/2)

During the tree-planting ceremony, Commissioner Potosnak also announced the recent awards of $9.4 million for eight Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program-funded projects in various parts of the state. These projects improve community resilience, restore ecosystems and help capture carbon. (2/2)

Today, 9/22, marks the first day of fall, NJs annual fall foliage prediction maps are back! 🍂 Use the map to help plan your fall foliage adventures throughout the Garden State. Keep in mind that this is only a prediction. On-the-ground conditions can change quickly and vary by location. (1/3)

Peak foliage is expected during these times: 🍁 Early to mid-October: Bergen, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren 🍁 Mid-October: Burlington, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, Union 🍁 Mid-to late October: Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem (2/3)

Low-lying, wet areas of High Point State Park and Stokes State Forest have already started to see a change, with some vibrant fall colors beginning to appear. Which of New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites is your favorite to visit in the fall? (3/3)

⚡ Building a cleaner transportation future in New Jersey This Drive Electric Month, we’re highlighting the work underway to expand electric transportation infrastructure across New Jersey and the region. (1/4)

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to support the transition to electric medium and heavy duty vehicles along the I 95 corridor. The regional project includes funding for charging infrastructure as well as workforce development to help build the skilled workforce needed for an increasingly electrified transportation sector. (3/4)

Learn more about the Clean Corridor Coalition and current funding opportunities: dep.nj.gov/drivegreen/cprg-ccc/ #ClimateWeek2026 #NJClimateWeek (4/4)

dep.nj.govdep.nj.gov

New Jersey’s Clean Corridor Coalition is helping lay the groundwork for cleaner freight and transportation while creating new opportunities to support the future of electric mobility. ⚡🚛 Through the Clean Corridor Coalition, New Jersey is working with Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland (2/4)

NJDEP Commissioner Potosnak kicked off Climate Week today by announcing the addition of 3 regions to Resilient NJ, an innovative effort that supports municipalities, community-based organizations and consultants in bolstering regional resilience. News release at dep.nj.gov/newsrel/26_0042/ (1/2)

Resilient NJ brings together municipalities to look beyond their individual borders and provide the tools to address current and future climate hazards on a regional scale. (2/2)

🌊 Building a more resilient Shark River watershed In August, Commissioner Potosnak joined community, municipal, county, state and federal partners in Monmouth County to tour the Shark River watershed and see firsthand what resilience can look like on the ground. (1/4)

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littoralsociety.orgBuilding a More Resilient Shark River WatershedDanielle McCulloch, Executive Director

Partners also highlighted projects that can help protect communities while restoring natural habitats, including living shorelines, marshes, dunes and native vegetation. Building resilience requires collaboration across communities. (3/4)

littoralsociety.orgBuilding a More Resilient Shark River WatershedDanielle McCulloch, Executive Director

Learn more about building a more resilient Shark River watershed and the work underway across Monmouth County: www.littoralsociety.org/blog/buildin... #ClimateWeek2026 #NJClimateWeek (4/4)