September Excitement: Join Our Green Initiatives!

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Hewitt-Cabral, Nicole R.

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Sep 2, 2025, 4:44:49 PMSep 2
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Come check out all the new things going on in Newark's Office of Sustainability!

 

Newark Green Pulse

 

 

Welcome to the Newark Green Pulse, the heartbeat of the Office of Sustainability! 🌱

 

With the close of summer, September brings a season of renewed focus and momentum. As the slower pace of summer gives way to the rhythm of a new school year, we embrace the energy, structure, and opportunities this transition provides. Just as the seasons shift, it is also a reminder of the importance of sustainability—caring for our shared environment and fostering habits that strengthen both our communities and our planet. This month invites us to reengage with our goals, champion sustainable practices, and move forward with a fresh sense of purpose.

 

To keep this momentum going, be sure to stay connected with the Office of Sustainability. Follow us on social media and join our list serve to stay up to date on upcoming events and opportunities.

 

·     Join our list serve

·     Follow us on Instagram

·     Follow us on Facebook

 

 

The Office of Sustainability Highlights

 

Join the team in the office or at our events!

The Office of Sustainability is looking for passionate Newarkers to support our office for multiple initiatives. We are currently hiring a part-time Administrative Assistant to join the team.

 

We are also looking for Gen Green Ambassadors and Gen Green Program Fellows to lead them to success. Gen Green is a new youth-led climate initiative.

·     Administrative Assistant position description

·     Gen Green Program Fellow position description

·     Gen Geen Ambassador position description

 

Don't miss these opportunities – send your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications to sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us by September 12th.

 

Rooted in Newark Tree Canopy Coordination Meetings are back! Join us in-person at Branch Brook Alliance's Educational Building in Prudential Concert Grove or via Zoom on September 8th! Register here.

 

Make sure that you join us at our End of Summer Sunset Soiree on September 18th at Greater Newark Conservancy! Come to hear about special announcements on our new office initiatives and programs while meeting new members of our team, enjoying live entertainment, games, and great food! Register here.

 

The Office of Sustainability will be hosting its first-ever composting workshops launching this month! Register now for Compost, Newark! Space is limited for each of our sessions. Complete our workshop to receive a composter at a low cost. Register Here.

 

Starting off October, we will be hosting our 5th annual Canoemobile at Riverfront Park on October 1st and 3rd from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm. This free event is open to all youth and adults interested in experiencing the wonders of the Passaic River! Register here.

 

We are pleased to share the report out from the Sustainability Unconference. To access the report, please click [here]. We highly value your insights and encourage you to share your feedback, as it plays a crucial role in shaping our future sustainability initiatives. Kindly submit your thoughts via email to sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us by September 19.

 

The Office of Sustainability is working with Park Science High School students on impactful action research projects, and we want to hear from you. Resident insights are invaluable in identifying pressing environmental concerns and challenges. Therefore, we invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with us. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping actionable solutions that reflect the needs of our community. Please reach out to us at sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us to contribute your voice to this important dialogue.

 

 

 

Sustainability Unconference Update

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Sustainability Unconference this past June. For those of you who may have missed it, or just want a reminder of the epic experience of community building, click the video below.

 

 

Sustainability Unconference Report Out

Chief Sustainability Officer, Nicole Hewitt-Cabral, has presented the findings from the UnConference to Mayor Ras Baraka and other City directors and she is meeting individually with City directors to create a plan to address residents' concerns.

 

We are pleased to announce that we have compiled a comprehensive report from the Unconference, reflecting our ongoing commitment to sustainability and community engagement in Newark. To access the report, please click [here]. We highly value your insights and encourage you to share your feedback, as it plays a crucial role in shaping our future sustainability initiatives. Kindly submit your thoughts via email to sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us by September 19, ensuring your voice is heard in this important dialogue. Your participation is vital in fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment as we work together to build a healthier and more vibrant Newark.

 

 

 

The Office of Sustainability is excited to branch out this Fall with our tree planting efforts, and we want to hear from you!

 

Save the Date for the Upcoming Rooted In Newark Coordination Meeting

The Rooted In Newark Coordination meeting will resume on September 8th. This meeting will be a hybrid format hosted by the Branch Brook Park Alliance at the Educational Building in the Prudential Concert Grove. There will be an optional walk-through Branch Brook Park at the end of the meeting. Register for the meeting here.



If you have a favorite spot in Newark that could use a little more green, let us know where you think we should plant our roots. Your input is invaluable in shaping a greener, more vibrant city! Plus, we're on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to help spread the word about our Rooted In Newark Initiative. Together, we can cultivate a thriving community and make a lasting impact on our environment. So, why not leaf your mark on Newark? Join us in this leafy endeavor, and let’s grow together!

 

SeeClickFix

As a reminder to Newark residents. If you would like to report a tree maintenance and planting requests please submit directly through SeeClickFix. Simply log in, select the “Request A Tree” category, and provide the location details. When submitting a photo, please provide a clear photo without any additional drawings of the site. If you would like to add details for your request, you can do so using the text box.

 

Tree Planting Permits

If you have submitted a permit for Fall tree planting, we are reviewing your requests and will follow up with you in the coming weeks. If you are planning to plant street trees this Fall, and you haven’t filled out a permit, we recommend that you do so through ASAP. For more information contact us at sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us.

 

 

 

 

Take part in Newark's first-ever composting workshop. Learn the wonders of recycling biodegradables.

Feeling the shift to fall? It’s the perfect time to start thinking about composting! We’re excited to announce that we've chosen our composting sites and are ready for you to join us.

 

Space is limited, so be sure to register for a special 1-hour composting workshop. You'll learn everything you need to know and have the opportunity to purchase a tumbler for a low cost. Help us heal our soil and grow a greener Newark! If interested, please register here.

 

 

 

 

 

Support our urban growers!

Newark hosts several local farmers' markets and farm stands that serve as vital community hubs, promoting sustainable living and healthy food options for all residents. These markets and farm stands not only offer a wide array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and handmade products but also play a significant role in supporting local farmers and stimulating the city’s economy.

 

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of farmers' markets and farm stands that operate at various locations throughout the city. Click here to view the list.

 

Together, let us support local agriculture and build a more resilient community by engaging with our vibrant farmers' markets.

 

 

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Love Your Block, Newark!

 

Check out one of our Love Your Block, Newark! grantees!

The Office of Sustainability is thrilled to shine a spotlight on the It's All About the Seniors and Kids—Hot Team! This project is a powerful example of how community resilience and sustainability can create real change. They're bringing together at-risk youth and unhoused residents for a unique outreach and empowerment program. Through mentoring and hands-on vocational training like the Empowering Cuts Barber Training Program, they're helping build skills, confidence, and community connection. This isn't just about haircuts; it's about building hope, dignity, and a stronger future for everyone in Newark.

 

Click here to learn more about 'It's All About the Seniors and Kids'.

 

 

We love to see all the great work you are doing. Be sure to tag the City of Newark @CityofNewark and the Office of Sustainability @NWK_Sustainable and use the hashtags #LoveYourBlockNewark and #NewarkForward so that we can celebrate your projects!

 

 

 

Check out our new youth lead initiatives for the City.

This month, the City of Newark’s Office of Sustainability is launching Gen Green, a brand-new youth-led climate initiative designed to put the voices of young people at the center of shaping our city’s future. Gen Green is all about empowering Newark youth to dream big and make their neighborhoods greener, healthier, and more sustainable. Through this program, young people will get the chance to survey, vote on, and lead community improvement projects—like tree plantings, eco-art installations, new community gardens, and more.

 

We’re proud to share that Newark is setting aside $50,000 just for this initiative, giving youth the opportunity to decide how the money should be invested in their communities.

 

Now Recruiting: Gen Green Ambassadors and Gen Green Fellows!

We’re looking for passionate young adults (ages 18–25) to join us as Gen Green Ambassadors. Guided by our Gen Green Program Fellows, in this role, you’ll help with outreach, spread the word, and work alongside your peers to bring sustainability projects to life across Newark. It’s a great opportunity for anyone who cares about the environment, youth empowerment, and community transformation.

 

·     Gen Green Ambassador job description

·     Gen Green Program Fellow job description

 

If you’re ready to step up and be part of Newark’s greener future, check out Gen Green.

 

Let’s grow a greener generation together! 

 

 

Newark's Harvest

A Citywide Garden Tour!

 

Join Newark Science and Sustainability, Inc. for Newark's Citywide Garden Tour. Supported by the City of Newark's Office of Sustainability, Newark Community Food Systems (NCFS), Rutgers Institute for Corporate Innovation (RICSI), and Whole Cities Foundation.

 

 

End of Summer Soirée

 

City of Newark’s Office of Sustainability is hosting the annual End of Summer Sunset Soirée — a vibrant evening of celebration, community, and climate action!

 

Come toast to a fantastic year of sustainable progress and be the first to hear exciting new announcements from our office. Enjoy games, live entertainment, delicious plant-based light bites, and the beautiful greenery of Greater Newark Conservancy. Click here to register.

 

 

2025 Canoemobile

 

At Newark Riverfront Park (727 Raymond Blvd) join us for the 5th Annual Canoemobile—an unforgettable adventure on the Passaic River! Discover the joy of paddling alongside trained outdoor educators while exploring the river’s history, ecology, and connections to STEM. Whether you’re a first-time paddler or a seasoned adventurer, this free event is the perfect way to experience the outdoors and connect with your community. Click here to register.

 

 

NJDEP Youth Inclusion Initiative 2025

 

This summer, Newark youth turned storm drains into works of art. As part of the NJDEP Youth Inclusion Initiative 2025, students cleaned and painted storm drains in the Ironbound and University Avenue areas, reminding neighbors that “only rain goes down the drain." Their designs not only brighten the streets but also carry an important message about keeping our waterways clean, protecting our community from flooding, and discouraging littering. With support from the Newark Office of Sustainability, Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities, NJDEP ( New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Stevens Institute of Technology, the project showed how art and education can come together to inspire change. It’s a shining example of giving young people the power to change their own community, tap into their creativity, and care for the city we call home.

 

You can view these storm drains on University Ave./ Bleeker St., Raymond Blvd./Freeman St., and Freeman St./Fleming Ave.

 

 

 

 

Sustainability Tip

 

SUSTAINABLE BACK-TO-SCHOOL

 SEASON TIPS

 

Focus on reducing waste, reusing items, and choosing eco-friendly products, including opting for reusable lunch containers and water bottles, buying supplies made from recycled materials, and considering secondhand clothing and books. Additionally, explore sustainable transportation options like walking, biking, or carpooling, and encourage eco-friendly habits at home and in the classroom.  

 

 

Community Highlights

 

 

 

If your organization is interested in posting an upcoming event or current program in the Newark Green Pulse:

1. We must receive your request by close of business on the 15th of each month.

2. We will post only one flier per organization in each newsletter.

3. It is preferred that the flier be for an event for the following month.

4. We will be able to post three announcements per publication.

5. Our has the discretion to not post flyers if it is not in line with the Office's goals/initiatives or in the event that we receive too many requests.

 

Please submit all flyers in PDF format to sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us

 

 

Stay Connected

 

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City of Newark920 Kenneth A. Gibson Blvd Newark, NJ 07102 US

 

 

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