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Newark Green Pulse
The heartbeat of the Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation!
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We have a new look! We are now the
Newark
Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation!
The Newark Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation (OoSRCT) drives community-centered
sustainability efforts to advance climate resilience and environmental justice across the city. We collaborate with municipal departments, the Newark Environmental Commission, residents, and others to create a vibrant community for all residents, especially
the most vulnerable, in the face of weather extremes.
Be sure to stay connected with us. Follow us on social media and join our mailing
list to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and opportunities.
Although we updated our name and logo, our older logo cannot be used for promotional advertisements.
If your organization is in partnership with OoSRCT, please contact Xenia
Neal,
our Program and Communications Manager, for usage of our logos, including Love Your Block, Newark! and Nourishing Newark.
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The Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation Highlights
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We are currently seeking
Gen
Green Steering Committee members to support the Gen Green team over the next few months as they transform youth ideas into proposals for
inclusion on the Spring ballot. If you’re interested in this opportunity, please complete the application by
October 15th. Follow us on Instagram at @nwk_gengreen to stay connected!
Our Rooted in Newark Tree (Virtual) Coordination Meeting will take
place today, October 6th at 1:00 PM. Click
here
to register.
A big thank-you to everyone who joined us for our End of Summer Sunset
Soiree! It was a wonderful evening, and we loved seeing everyone show up in their sunset-inspired attire. Check out the
photos here!
Last week, we celebrated our 5th Annual
Canoemobile! This year, we welcomed over 400 5th-grade students from Newark Public Schools and
100 community members for an unforgettable day on the Passaic River. Partnering with Wilderness Inquiry and the Hudson River Foundation, we provided an inspiring experience that celebrated Newark’s natural beauty and community spirit.
Join us in celebrating one of our 2025 Love Your Block grantees, Greening the Streets of Ironbound,
as we unveil a new mural in the Ironbound on October 24th (rain date: November 2nd). Click
here
to rsvp.
Check out several exciting climate resilience announcements, including Cool Roofs Newark and
a new
Extreme Heat & Air Quality Working Group!
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Thank you to everyone who weighed in on the UnConference
report. Over the
next few months, our team, along with the Sustainability UnConference Steering Committee, will
utilize your feedback to develop the Community Sustainability, Resilience, and Environmental Justice Action Plan (CSREJAP).
In the coming weeks, we will share a draft CSREJAP for your review.
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The Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation is excited
to branch out this Fall with our tree planting efforts, and we want to hear from you!
Thank you everyone who attended our September Rooted In Newark Coordination meeting, and special thanks
to Kelley Forsyth for guiding the wonderful walk in Branch Brook Park.
The next virtual
Rooted In Newark Coordination meeting
will be today, October 6th.
Register for the meeting here.
The next meeting will be hybrid on
November 10th hosted by Weequahic Park Association. To register for both meetings, click
here.
Apply
to join Newark's first Shade Tree Committee
We are establishing a Shade Tree Committee to protect and expand the city’s
tree canopy, with seven voting members—representing each ward and two tree professionals—and at least two non-voting City staff members. Meeting monthly, the Committee will review permits and construction plans, advise the Tree Superintendent, organize community
planting efforts, monitor compliance with forestry standards, and assist with updates to the City’s Urban Forestry Manual and Community Forestry Management Plan. Click
here to view the application and learn more about the committee.
Tree Planting
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!
If you are planning to plant street trees be sure to submit a permit. For more
information contact us at
sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us.
Save the Date for the upcoming Volunteer Tree Planting Event
We are holding our annual Autumn tree planting event in Vailsburg on
Saturday, November 8 from 10am-1pm. (November 15 is the Rain Date). We will share the address soon. The Office of Sustainability will provide all the equipment and supplies that you need. Just wear comfortable clothing that you can get dirty. We will
also be providing lunch. If you are interested in joining us please
click
here.
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.
City of Newark Urban Forestry Manual
This essential resource outlines the City’s policies and procedures for tree
planting and care but also features a carefully curated list of approved tree species suitable for our streets. We encourage you to access this tree manual through the Rooted
in Newark webpage or through this
direct
link. Sharing this resource with your networks will help us branch out and cultivate a community that actively participates in shaping
our urban forestry initiatives.
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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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Compost Newark is postponed until Spring 2026
The Compost Newark program will be temporarily paused for the season and will resume next spring. We
appreciate your continued support and look forward to bringing the program back stronger, providing even more opportunities for our community to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
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Energy Savings for Newark Businesses
Are you a Newark business owner looking to save money and go green? The City of Newark
Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation, in partnership with PSE&G and Sustainable Jersey, is here to help. Small and medium-sized businesses can access a free, on-site energy assessment. The Direct Install Program:
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Provides a detailed project cost estimate for energy-efficiency upgrades.
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Lowers energy costs by installing energy-efficient equipment.
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Creates a safer and more comfortable workplace for customers and employees.
After the free assessment, if you choose to move forward with any recommended upgrades,
PSE&G covers the up-front costs, and once the work is complete, qualifying businesses repay as little as 20% of the total—interest-free—over 60 months on their PSE&G bill. This is a chance to cut operating costs, modernize your space, and contribute to a cleaner,
healthier Newark. Sign
up today to get started here. You
can also visit our campaign website at www.energyoutreachnj.com/NewarkSave
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Energy Savings for Newark Homes
Lower your energy use to help lower your utility bills, make your home more comfortable,
and be part of a greener Newark! Through our partnership with PSE&G and Sustainable Jersey, Newark residents can receive a free home energy assessment and no-cost energy efficiency health, and safety upgrades through income-qualified programs like Comfort
Partners and Home Weatherization. In addition, The Whole Home Energy Solutions program for homeowners provides up to $7,500 in rebates for energy-saving improvements—with interest-free, on-bill repayment options available. Don’t miss out on this opportunity
to improve your home and your community’s energy efficiency. Sign
up here to learn more.
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Launching Cool Roofs Newark Soon!
The Office of Sustainability, Resilience, and Community Transformation in collaboration
with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Newark Workforce Development Board, is kicking off a
Cool Roof Initiative
to help lower indoor temperatures, improve energy efficiency, and make our community spaces more comfortable during extreme heat.
Newark residents and local workforce trainees will coat the roofs of the Rotunda
Recreation & Wellness Center, Hayes Park West Recreation Center, and Bo Porter Sports Complex. These bright, reflective coatings reduce heat absorption, lower cooling costs, and support the City’s broader climate resilience goals. By working closely with DPW,
we’re ensuring that these upgrades not only protect our facilities but also create hands-on opportunities for residents to contribute to a cooler, more sustainable Newark.
For more information, please contact
sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us.
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Join Newark’s Extreme Heat & Air Quality Working Group!
We are launching a new
Extreme Heat & Air Quality Working Group to bring together Newark residents, community leaders, environmental advocates, and local experts to tackle issues of rising temperatures and poor air quality across our city.
Our first quarterly meeting will take place on
November 17 at 1:00 PM (virtual), followed by sessions on February 16 at 1:00 PM and
May 18 at 1:00 PM.
If you’re passionate about building a cooler, healthier Newark,
sign
up to join the Working Group today!
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Love Your Block, Newark! Mural Unveiling In the Ironbound
Join us as we celebrate one of our 2025 Love Your Block Grantees,
‘Greening the Streets of Ironbound’! They
will be unveiling a beautiful new mural in the Ironbound. Click here
to rsvp.
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Soon-to-come updates to Love Your Block, Newark!
The Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation is thrilled
to announce that we will be revamping the Love
Your Block, Newark! program.
Over the next few weeks, we will be conducting brief virtual interview sessions with current and past
grantees, reviewers, applicants, and individuals who have considered applying but haven't yet taken the plunge.
If you would like to help shape the Love Your Block, Newark! reach out to us at
sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us
by
October 10th to schedule an interview.
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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, Resilience & Community Transformation
@NWK_Sustainable and use the hashtags #LoveYourBlockNewark and #NewarkForward so that we can celebrate your projects!
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Last Month, we launched
Gen
Green --
a brand-new youth-led climate. We’re proud to share that Newark is setting aside
$50,000 just for this initiative, allowing youth to decide how the money should be invested in their communities.
Gen Green is led by Gen Green Youth Fellows Marilyn Cerratos and Roselyn Muniz,
and we are hiring several high school students to serve as Gen Green ambassadors, helping to spread the word
to students. We are partnering with Superintendent Leon's Office,
Newark
School of Data Science & Information Technology, Park Science, Thirteenth Avenue School, the Boys and Girls Club, among other institutions.
Our team attended the Participatory Budgeting Project's Participatory Democratic
Learning Exchange to learn from other municipalities across the country and to share our learnings so far.
If you work with young people, our Gen Green Youth Fellows would love to host
an idea brainstorming session with young students or program participants. Contact us at
geng...@ci.newark.nj.us
or
(973) 733-4303.
Make sure to follow us on Instagram @nwk_gengreen.
Now
Recruiting: Gen Green Steering Committee Members!
We’re looking for passionate Newarkers of any age who support and advocate for
youth issues to join us as Gen Green Steering Committee members. Guided by our Gen Green Youth Fellows, in this role, you’ll support the Gen Green Team
in taking the ideas that youth proposed and turning them
into proposals that will be on the ballot this Spring.
If you’re ready to step up and be part of Newark’s greener future, submit the
Gen
Green Steering Committee application.
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!
Supported by a generous grant from the Participatory Budgeting Project
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We are recruiting Newarkers to roll up their sleeves and join their neighbors,
local community groups, and city officials in implementing sustainability projects in your neighborhood.
Sustainability
Champions are a critical element of building Newark’s sustainability and resiliency by beautifying neighborhoods and reducing air pollution, stormwater runoff, and urban heat. By inventorying our street trees, we will better understand the health of
our urban forestry, and use that information to manage it more effectively.
We are recruiting residents, school groups, faith groups, and community-based organizations
to complete specialized training to help inventory street trees and plant and maintain trees in their neighborhood.
To learn more, contact us at
sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us or
973-877-9587.
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Let's celebrate everyday Sustainability Champions!
Our first Sustainability Champion is DT. On the weekends, she picks up garbage
in Nat Tuner Park and other neighborhood parks. She loves her neighborhood and has even purchased a scooter to more easily traverse the city and keep it clean.
If you know of a Sustainability Champion that you would like to highlight, contact
us at
sustain...@ci.newark.nj.us
with their name and a brief description.
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End of Summer Sunset Soirée
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Thank you to everyone who attended our annual
End of Summer Sunset Soirée.
It was inspiring to see so many passionate Newarkers come together to celebrate the connection between
sustainability, resilience, and community. Your presence highlighted the strength of our city and reaffirmed our shared commitment to creating a more equitable and sustainable Newark.
At the End of Summer Sunset Soiree, we announced our new name and logo! Our new identity reflects our
commitment to working with members of our community to create intentional and impact steps to making a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Newark. Let this rebrand be a symbol of dedication to the work we have all done within the past year.
If you missed the event or just want to reminisce on the good times, share.
Click
here to view event photos.
We’d love your input to help us grow! Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey. Your feedback
is essential in shaping events and programs that reflect the needs and aspirations of our community.
Click
here to take the survey.
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Fun on the Passaic River!
For the 5th Annual Canoemobile, we were able to welcome 400 Newark 5th-grade
students to a wonderful adventure on the Passaic River. They were also able to partake in STEM-related activities with 11 different land stations. thank you again to our land station partners and Wilderness Inquiry for an amazing event.
To review the pictures from the event, please click here.
Supported by a generous grant from the Victoria Foundation
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MLK Blvd Revitalization Project
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Working together to revitalize Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
The 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Corridor Community Grants support communities
in revitalizing, beautifying, and transforming areas in and around Martin Luther King Jr. corridors and neighborhoods.
We will be utilizing the grant for several community transformation projects,
including tree planting and a mural. We will be having two open meetings to get the community to weigh in on the best ways to utilize these funds. If interested, please register
here:
Supported by the Keep America Beautiful™ MLK Jr. Community Corridor Grants
Award
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Leaves on the ground may be an annoyance for some. Your first instinct is to rake them all up and put
them in a brown bag to send them on their way, when in fact that may be the wrong thing to do. Leaf litter is what creates a healthy, thriving environment and is present in almost all thriving forests. It helps to create mineral-rich soils for your plants
and trees and habitats for insects and small animals. So this Autumn, “Leave the leaves” - they’re nature’s mulch, feeding the soil and sheltering wildlife.
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If your organization is interested in posting an upcoming event or current program
in the Newark Green Pulse:
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We must receive your request by close of business on the 15th of each month.
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We will post only one flier per organization in each newsletter.
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It is preferred that the flier be for an event for the following month.
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We will be able to post three announcements per publication.
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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
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Nicole Hewitt-Cabral
Chief Sustainability Officer
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Ryan Metz
Tree Superintendent
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Victoria Bruno
Strategic Programs Manager
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Xenia Neal
Program and Communications Manager
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Valeria Angel
Community Engagement & Environmental Justice Coordinator
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Jalen Cabrera
Rooted In Newark Program Associate
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Alana Benson
Executive Assistant & Chief Clerk
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Tiffany Motachwa
Program Assistant
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Marilyn Cerrato
Gen Green Youth Fellow
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Roselyn Muniz
Gen Green Youth Fellow
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