People Enjoying Active Conservation of the Environment in NJ
People Enjoying Active Conservation of the Environment in NJ
About Our Organization
PEACE NJ (People Enjoying Active Conservation of the Environment in New Jersey) is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2021 by local environmental leaders to support awareness of environmental issues and better sustainable practices, by providing educational programs and promoting safe ways to enjoy the outdoors for all community members.
Our Mission
- To provide resources, expertise and opportunities to all members of our diverse community that promote stewardship of public lands, waterways, parks and green spaces with the help of volunteers, as well as public and private partners.
- To address conservation issues that significantly affect the health and welfare of all members of our communities.
- To identify resource needs, and design events and materials that engage diverse audiences in conservation and protection of the environment in New Jersey.
- Support other governmental and/or charitable organizations dedicated to the same purpose by providing educational programs, professional services and events.
Publications and Resources
Fish of the Musconetcong/Peces del Musconetcong
Report: Latine Community Survey About Outdoor Recreation 2022
Alumni Park Treasure Hunt
Búsqueda del tesoro para Alumni Park
Projects
PEACE NJ SERVES HACKETTSTOWN!
PEACE NJ Project in Hackettstown, NJ 2025-2028:
Restoring Riparian Habitat & Fostering Community River Access
PEACE NJ is working with the town of Hackettstown, Board of Education and community to plan the removal of a hazardous, obsolete platform from the Musconetcong River in Douglas A. Blake Memorial Park. Plans include restoring riverbank stability, increasing native habitat for wildlife, and improving safe recreational river access for all, with ADA-compliant "road to river" paths and parking in this beautiful and walkable municipal park. Educational signage will provide information about river ecology and the historical land use of the site. The project has been awarded the following grants: $399,000 from the NJ Green Acres Stewardship program, $25000 grant from the New Jersey Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, $5000 from the William Lee Gibson Family Fund, and $1000 from the local Ridge & Vally Trout Unlimited Chapter. PEACE NJ continues to apply for grants and donations to complete this important community project.
Designing an Inclusive Riparian Restoration in a park Hackettstown, NJ 2024
PEACE NJ worked with the town of Hackettstown and Board of Education to plan the removal of an obsolete diving platform from the Musconetcong River in the local municipal park. Under a grant from funding partners US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and with technical assistance from the National Park Service Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance program, PEACE NJ created a permittable design to insure that the river stays healthy, able to support wildlife and improve river access for recreation. PEACE NJ gathered information from community members and stakeholders about how we can preserve local historical, cultural, recreational and conservation values through this project.
Community-Led Research Project 2022
PEACE NJ worked with The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) and River Network, under a grant from the Kresge and Patagonia Foundations, to start a grassroots, ground-up, community-led process in Hackettstown to better understand climate- and water-related issues, impacts and threats in their community, and support advocacy efforts to address them. Results were reported to the community. PEACE NJ used the results to drive improvements in programming. See report under Publications. Learn More
Reel Musconetcong 2022-2025
REEL MUSCONETCONG is a partnership project between MWA and PEACE NJ. The project goal is to offer access to free fishing equipment, instruction and bilingual materials about fishing on New Jersey “Free Fishing Days” in the fall and late spring/early summer of 2022. PEACE NJ continues to lend fishing poles and equipment on the Free Fishing Day in October each year! In 2025 we are working with the Hackettstown Free Public Library to set up a fishing gear lending program!
Learn MoreCONSERVATION WEEK/DISFRUTANDO Y CONSERVANDO NUESTRA TIERRA
PEACE NJ hosts an annual outdoor event in September in Doug A Blake Park, in Hackettstown, NJ in honor of Latino Conservation Week and Disfrutando y Conservando Nuestra Tierra, an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF). Latino Conservation Week was created to support the Latino community getting into the outdoors and participating in activities to protect our natural resources. In Hackettstown, during this one day event, PEACE NJ invites community, non-profit, faith-based, government organizations and agencies as well as local businesses to promote their conservation efforts, and provide an opportunity for our whole community to show their support for permanently protecting our land, water, and air. PEACE NJ offers bilingual materials and translators at the event for those who express a need for those services. Learn More
