FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2025
Contact: Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795
Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
DEP BEGINS FIFTH ANNUAL SUMMER PROGRAM TO INSPIRE FUTURE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS FROM OVERBURDENED COMMUNITIES
(25/P34) TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection today kicked off its fifth annual Youth Inclusion Initiative, an innovative summer program in which DEP partners with community-based organizations to give young people from overburdened communities the opportunity to learn about careers in a wide variety of environmental fields.
Over the next six weeks, participants aged 16 to 20 will work closely with DEP staff in partnership with ten private and non-profit community-based organizations to learn about careers in water and air monitoring, natural resource management, wildlife conservation, and more. They are from communities that have disproportionately less open space or lack access to natural lands.
“Our staff is excited to begin the fifth year of this highly successful program and is eager to share their knowledge and passion for protecting the environment and helping these young people develop valuable skills that prepare them for careers in the environmental field,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “With a unified vision, DEP and our partners are proud to support the next generation of environmental stewards dedicated to helping their communities become healthier and better places to live.”
Pioneering Initiative Supports Administration’s Diversity Goals
The DEP’s award-winning Youth Inclusion Initiative is believed to be the only state-led program in the nation of its kind that focuses on connecting young people in overburdened communities with hands-on experience in environmental careers, a key priority of the Murphy Administration and Commissioner LaTourette. The program directly supports the Administration’s long-standing goal to build a diverse, inclusive environmental workforce equipped with the skills to expand the state’s green economy and advance environmental justice.
Since 2021, the summer program has progressed from 18 participants to over 100 this year, and from two host organizations to 10 this year. This year’s community host organizations include Neighborhood Improvement Association (Trenton), Outdoor Equity Alliance (Trenton), Ranch Hope (Salem), Boys and Girls Club of Garfield (Garfield), Groundwork Elizabeth (Elizabeth), Ironbound Community Corporation (Newark), United Community Corporation (Newark), New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance (Newark), New Jersey Youth Corps of Philipsburg (Philipsburg) and Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken).
During today’s kickoff at DEP headquarters, participants were introduced to DEP’s senior leadership and got acquainted with the department’s functions and the activities planned for the summer. The orientation featured engaging career spotlight presentations by staff from DEP’s Office of Emergency Management, as well as the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
“While the goal of the program is to inspire future environmental leaders, in truth the students inspire our staff through their commitment and passion for learning,” said Elizabeth Dragon, DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for Community Investment and Economic Revitalization. “It is remarkable to see how much energy and enthusiasm they show as they engage in tangible and impactful environmental projects with DEP and within their communities.”
Summer Programs Planned
Community Host Organizations are essential to the success of the program by working to recruit participants and then planning and supervising their summer experience. Additionally, the organizations promote participants’ continued growth by helping them identify next steps, such as furthering their education.
Over the course of the summer, participants will spend most of their time gaining technical skills through hands-on activities such as utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to collect and analyze survey data on park facilities, conducting field assessments of wetlands, building rain barrels, collecting macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) from a stream to determine water quality, and more. In addition, they will also complete environmental projects in their home communities (ranging from cleaning up local parks to planting community gardens). DEP provides the funding for these projects to the community host organizations.
To complement participants’ exposure to environmental careers, each week of the program will conclude with opportunities for professional development, such as resume and cover letter writing as well as presentations from guest speakers. Several of the program’s guest speakers work alongside the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development to open career pathways to sustainable, green jobs for those from underserved communities. Speakers from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will provide insight into the professional and educational benefits for pursuing green careers offered through the National Guard.
Praise from Community Host Organization Partners
Octavia Sutphin, President of the Trenton-based Neighborhood Improvement Association:
“The Neighborhood Improvement Association’s third year in the Youth Inclusion Initiative Summer Program has given underserved youth access to rare and enriching opportunities. With many participants eager to return, expanding the program to offer year-round experiences could amplify its positive impact.”
William Wilson, President of the Trenton-based Outdoor Equity Alliance:
“We’re thankful to DEP for recognizing the importance of investing in youth and community. Through this partnership, we can continue empowering our youth to lead in environmental spaces.”
Jamal Long, Supervisor at Ranch Hope in Salem:
“I truly enjoyed being part of the Youth Inclusion Initiative and witnessing the youths’ professional growth each week. The program pushed them to think beyond their limits and explore career paths they had never imagined.”
Laura Camarena, Associate Executive Director at Boys and Girls Club of Garfield:
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with DEP for a second year through the Youth Inclusion Initiative. This summer, 12 teens from Garfield will not only explore environmental stewardship, but also gain essential workforce readiness skills that set them apart as they begin to plan for life beyond high school.”
John Evangelista, Executive Director at Groundwork Elizabeth:
“The NJDEP Youth Inclusion program is the gold star of the Groundwork Elizabeth youth programs. It is truly a master class in environmental education, and we are thrilled and proud to be a part of it.”
Charles B Richardson, Director of Programs at the Newark-based Ironbound Community Corporation:
“The Ironbound Community Corporation is excited to be a part of the 2025 Youth Inclusion Initiative for the fifth consecutive year. It’s been a great experience watching our youth grow through this program, and we’re looking forward to another impactful summer. Our youth are excited, ready, and eager to engage in meaningful work that connects them to environmental stewardship and community impact.”
Tasmeya Hall, Youth Build Program Director at the Newark-based United Community Corporation:
“Participating in the DEP Youth Inclusion Initiative gives our young people a seat at the table to bring their perspectives, leadership, and creativity into conversations that shape their environment. It’s through this kind of community-focused collaboration that we empower youth to take action and build the future they want to see.”
Melissa Miles, Executive Director at the Newark-based New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance:
“The DEP’s Youth Inclusion Initiative combines everything we are passionate about at New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance: climate and environmental education and advocacy, green workforce training, and youth development. We are thrilled to be one of the participating organizations for 2025, and we look forward to supporting the next generation of environmental advocates.”
Michael Muckle, Director of New Jersey Youth Corps of Philipsburg:
“We are honored to partner with NJDEP in this initiative. This program aligns with our mission to provide meaningful opportunities for young people to develop skills, gain experience, and contribute positively to their communities.”
Dr. Dibs Sarkar, Director of the Stevens Center for Sustainability at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken:
“We are honored to be selected as a Community Host Organization for DEP’s Youth Inclusion Initiative. This initiative speaks directly to our mission of building strong partnerships, advancing student learning, and enhancing community engagement around environmental sustainability. Through this program, we are excited to mentor 10 passionate youth from Bergen, Hudson, Union, and Essex counties, foster environmental leadership, and contribute to inclusive, hands-on learning that empowers the next generation of changemakers.”
DEP PHOTOS/From Top: Participants from the Boys and Girls Club of Garfield learning to identify plants; Participants from Groundwork Elizabeth and United Community Corporation visit a DEP Fish & Wildlife fish hatchery
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