Stockton’s Water Watch and Stockton Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) hosted the Environmental Forum on Monday, March 23, from 10 A.M. through 3 P.M. Here, students had an opportunity to learn about environmental-based organizations spanning throughout New Jersey.

The event featured Climate Revolution Action Network (CRAN), AmeriCorps, Rutgers Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, and Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA). Stockton Maple Project also made an appearance, managed by Education Specialist Debra A. Somers, showcasing their product and the process of making their syrup, which is more time-consuming than typical brands.

In addition to SAVE and Water Watch managing booths for their clubs, Stockton Aquarium and Aquaculture Club, Marine Science Club, and Marine Technology Society tabled as well, bringing the natural world and the university together.

The event was targeted towards students in the environmental science field but those studying otherwise were welcome too. “While it is specifically for environmental science, it is helpful for everyone. For instance, we have a few organizers here who have…volunteering, so it helps…them engage in protecting and helping their community…which is important no matter what!” said Hanna Elliot, President of Water Watch and head organizer of the Environmental Forum.

At around 12:30 P.M., Elliot held a panel featuring Stephen Holman, a representative for CRAN, and Gregg Sakowicz, an assistant research coordinator for Jacque Cousteau NERR. Sakowicz went first, explaining the organization’s system-wide monitoring and robotics programs while presenting their research aquatic drones, such as the REMUS and Calypso. Holman’s oral presentation concerned the organization’s push for political and climate advocacy, also stating their role in rallying people of New Brunswick to successfully halt plans for a data center in that city. 

“One of our biggest values right now is to focus on helping out what we call ‘Easy Communities’…who are most marginalized by historic and socio-economic or environmental policies that led to degradation of their environment and communities. We provide communities with information on the forefront before the data centers get there…” Holman said in an interview after the presentation concluded.

The Environmental Forum has become an annual event for students to learn more about environment-based opportunities, giving light to these networks that can be overlooked during standard Career Fairs and allowed organizations to explain their operations to potential members.