NJDEP Fish & Wildlife is excited to announce that the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center is now accepting applications for the 2026 Student Field Experiences! Middle and High School students interested in exploring New Jersey's salt marsh environments through hands-on activities, while learning about conservation, scientific research, and the importance of our marine resources, should apply.  Candidates are selected through a competitive review process. Deadline to apply is April 12

Armstrong Scholars brings selected participants together for an educational adventure in the spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. This extraordinary program is designed for and seeks to inspire all young women, ages 15-18 to reach their highest potential and develop a stronger sense of self, community, and connection to the natural world. There are many ways to identify as a woman and all of those ways are welcome on this program. Individuals from different cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, LGBTQIA+, and socioeconomic communities come together to embark on a 12-day wilderness backpacking expedition that demands participants to challenge themselves both physically and emotionally.  This program is inspired by and in memory of former NatureBridge Environmental Science Educator Joie Armstrong. Joie had a tremendous enthusiasm for life and a passion for teaching along with a desire to give of herself for the betterment of the world. NatureBridge established the Joie Armstrong Memorial Fund in 1999 to honor her. The memorial fund sponsors the Armstrong Scholars program, providing a $2,400 scholarship to each student. Students pay $150 to participate in the program. Additional scholarships are available to offset this cost. Basic backpacking gear is available for loan during the program. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from our Yosemite Campus of NatureBridge in Yosemite National Park, where the program begins and ends. We invite you to share this opportunity with the young people you know would grow and thrive in this unique and meaningful experience. Please see the application process and additional information on the Armstrong Scholars page of the NatureBridge website.  Application details are linked here as well. The deadline for applications this year is Monday, April 13, 2026.

The Watershed Institute is offering a free training for K-12 teachers interested in doing water quality testing with their students through our StreamWatch Schools program. This is a great way to connect students of all ages to a real-world science opportunity and connect them to their local waterway.

The program includes a two-hour on-line module that can be completed on your schedule in increments, and one day of in-person training (March 14th) at The Watershed Institute. Please visit website to learn more. This program also provides access to our searchable database with 30 years of water quality testing data.

Species on the Edge

Art + Essay Contest

The Species on the Edge Art + Essay Contest empowers fifth grade students to advocate for an at-risk wildlife species through a well-researched, creative essay and original art piece. Students must choose a species that is listed as endangered, threatened or special concern in the State of New Jersey. A complete list of acceptable species can be found in the contest kit or by clicking below.

The contest is free and open to all New Jersey fifth graders. All entries must follow guidelines listed in the contest kit.

New for 2026! Species of special concern are now included in the contest! 

One winner is selected from each New Jersey county. Each winner will see their art featured in a beautiful calendar; have their art exhibited at venues across New Jersey; celebrate with an awards ceremony; and enjoy a trip to Sedge Island, where a unique natural resource education center is located in the middle of Barnegat Bay and home to New Jersey’s only marine conservation zone.

Deadline Feb. 27th, 2026

More information at: https://conservewildlifenj.org/education/edge/

The Climate Change Education Unit within the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) would like to share information about a state-funded grant opportunity that may be of interest to members of the New Jersey Science Teachers Association.

As you may already be aware, with the adoption of the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), New Jersey became the first state in the nation to require the integration of climate change education across instructional disciplines (i.e., visual and performing arts; comprehensive health and physical education; science; social studies; world languages; computer science and design thinking; career readiness, life literacies, and key skills). Additionally, the 2023 NJSLS in English language arts and mathematics identify the standards through which climate change topics can be integrated as an interdisciplinary, authentic learning experience.

The Climate Literacy Innovation Opportunity (CLIO) grant program will provide up to 15 awards of $45,863 to support public school districts’ implementation of climate change education within interdisciplinary out-of-school time programs. As the name suggests, this grant is meant to support innovative projects that may be difficult to accomplish during the school day, such as work-based learning, credit-bearing coursework (summer bridge, accelerated programming, or credit recovery), intergenerational community education efforts, or multi-day experiential learning opportunities, as appropriate. Applications for this competitive grant opportunity are due by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Additional details about the grant program and application instructions can be found in the Notice of Grant Opportunity posted on the NJDOE’s Office of Grants Management website.

Any questions about the CLIO grant program can be sent to ClimateEducation@doe.nj.gov.

The Teacher School of Ecology will be on August 10-12 this year. This three-day PD explores the Scherman Hoffman Preserve in Bernardsville. Hear from experts with NJ Audubon and beyond to help you learn about the environment and how to include it in your teaching. Comments from last year's attendees: "Exchanging ideas with other teachers, having activities I can take back to my class … the conversations during dinner with other teachers." "The breadth and depth of knowledge presented in a dynamic way. Working collaboratively with presenters and cohort colleagues."

Reach out to  Education Program Manager Roberta Hunter Roberta.Hunter@njaudubon.org if you are interested in attending and available scholarships.

Eco-Schools U.S.

EcoSchools is a student-focused school sustainability program for grades K-12 that supports student action on healthy and resilient communities, climate change, and wildlife and biodiversity. It has 61 student actions to choose from so you can customize it for your school and community. Want to learn more? I have drop-in office hours on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00 - 7:30 Still thinking of doing Eco-Schools U.S.? Check out what Meghan Hooper-Jackson, an Eco-Schools U.S. teacher in Atlantic City has to say:

"I highly recommend Eco-Schools to other teachers all the time.  The action cards help busy educators work smarter, not harder. The program provides helpful resources and best practices for each eco-action and provides a valuable framework for collaborating with other teachers and community partners."

Interested in learning more? 

Visit https://njaudubon.org/eco-schools/