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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.
Sustainability
·
Rooted in Newark: Amplifies our tree canopy and coordinates city-wide tree planting efforts.
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Compost Newark: Encourages composting and food waste reduction.
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Nourishing Newark: Focuses on food security and urban agriculture.
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Pocket Parks: Promotes green space creation and neighborhood greening.
Resilience
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Rooted in Newark: Addresses storm water management and reduces extreme heat.
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Cool Roofs Newark: Reduces urban heat through reflective roof installations.
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Beat the Heat: Focuses on heat mitigation strategies and community cooling initiatives.
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Clean Energy: Advances renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency.
Community Transformation
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Love Your Block, Newark!: Resident-led revitalization projects.
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Gen Green: Youth-led youth sustainability initiatives.
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Sustainability Champions: Resident-led sustainability volunteer opportunities.
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Stay connected with us. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our email list to be the first to learn about our upcoming events and
initiatives that align with your interests.
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The Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation Highlights
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Throughout this Fall, we will be holding brainstorming sessions with schools and afterschool programs. Reach out to the Gen Green team at
geng...@ci.newark.nj.us
if you’re interested in hosting a session. Follow us on Instagram at @nwk_gengreen
to stay connected!
We are revamping the Love Your Block program, and we want to hear your thoughts. Make sure to fill out the respective surveys detailed below.
Our Rooted in Newark Tree Coordination Meeting will take place on Monday at Weequahic Park
Community Center, November 10, at 1:00 p.m. Weather permitting, join us after the meeting for an optional tree identification walk with Tree Superintendent Ryan Metz. Click
here
to register.
We are hosting two volunteer tree planting events in conjunction with
21 Days of Wellness. The November 8 (rain date is November 15) event will be in the Vailsburg neighborhood, from
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
click
here
to
register. The MLK Blvd event will be held on
November 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
click here
to register.
We are launching an Extreme Heat & Air Quality Working Group. Join us if you are working on or interested in addressing extreme heat and improving air quality in the city.
Click
here to attend the November 17th meeting!
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More trees are coming soon!
Over the next two months, we will be planting shade trees along Lafayette Street, Bergen Street, Springfield Avenue, Clinton Avenue, West Runyon Street, Bloomfield Avenue, Pennsylvania
Avenue, and Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Blvd. We will also be planting trees in areas requested directly to our office and through See Click Fix.
But that’s not all! We want to hear from you about where you believe trees would make a difference. Your requests will be prioritized, ensuring that we enhance our urban green spaces
in the areas that matter most to you.
Rooted In Newark Coordination Meeting
We hope to see you all at the next
Rooted In Newark Coordination meeting for the year on November 10 in Weequahic Park. Our next meeting will be in February 2026 so don't miss this meeting! Register
here.
Upcoming Volunteer Tree Planting Events:
Saturday, November 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
In partnership with Councilman Kelly's office, Brick City Peace Collective, The Nature Conservancy, United Vailsburg Services Organization, Sanford Place Block Association and Friends,
Inc., and Abbortsford Neighbors, we are holding our annual Autumn volunteer tree planting event in conjunction with
21 Days of Wellness in the Vailsburg neighborhood on Saturday, November 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (November 15 is the rain date). We will share the address soon, and we 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.
Saturday, November 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
We will be hosting a volunteer tree planting event on MLK Boulevard on November 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We 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.
Apply to join Newark's first Shade Tree Committee
We are creating a Shade Tree Committee to protect and expand the city’s tree canopy, with seven voting members that are Newark-residents—representing each ward and tree professions—and
at least two non-voting City staff members. Meeting bimonthly, the Committee will review permits and construction plans, organize community planting efforts, monitor compliance with forestry standards, and assist with updates to the Community Forestry Management
Plan. Click
here
to
view the application and learn more about the Committee.
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City of Newark Mobilization in Response to the Federal Government Shutdown
Mayor Ras J. Baraka is mobilizing of city partners in response to the federal government shutdown and cutbacks and has created a temporary emergency assistance website at http://nwkAssist.com
that provides financial assistance for individuals and families who, without the assistance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), may have difficulty
affording necessities such as:
·
Household utilities (water, gas, internet, etc.)
·
Rent/mortgage
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Rental arrears
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Transportation
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Childcare
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Co-pays for health provider visits and prescriptions
After an application has been completed and submitted, applicants will receive a notification of confirmation via email. Applicants should expect to receive an email
reporting the status of their application within 72 hours.
More information can be found on the website's About and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pages, by emailing the city’s Temporary Assistance Program team at newarkas...@ci.newark.nj.us or
by calling (973) 565-5486.
Additionally, central distribution hubs have been created in each of Newark's five wards for walk-in relief. The
Community Ward Food Hubs will begin operating on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from noon to 8:00 p.m.
MEND
or (Meeting Each Need With Dignity) compiled a list of food pantries in Essex County.
To access and share the Essex Pantry List, please
click
here.
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South Ward
Belmont Runyon
1 Belmont Way
Coordinator: Ronice (973) 851-3496
South Improvement District
South Ward Promise
Clinton Hill Community Action
Central Ward
Dr. Elma Flagg or Camden
150 3rd Street
Coordinator: Abigail (516) 680-3817
Greater Newark Conservancy
Boys and Girls Club
NCC
West Ward
Speedy Way Avenue
701 Orange Street
Coordinator: Chris Keys (862) 405-3154
UVSO
Urban League
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East Ward
South Street School
44 Hermon Street
School Coordinator: Charles (973) 465-0555, ext. 209
Ironbound Community Corp
Montante
North Ward
Rafael Hernadez
345 Broadway
Coordinator: Ivonne Salazar (973) 943-5050
La Casa De Don Pedro
Focus411inc
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The NJ Agriculture Bill, S4350,
sits before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
S4350 would change certain allocations and amounts of constitutionally dedicated corporate business tax (CBT) revenues for 2026 and thereafter, while authorizing the Garden State Trust
and local governments to acquire lands in urban areas for agricultural or horticultural purposes. This bill would establish a dedicated funding stream, the Preserve New Jersey Urban Agriculture Horticulture Fund, with an initial $25 million deposit
and a permanent 5% annual allocation of constitutionally dedicated CBT preservation funds! This is a powerful opportunity to expand access to New Jersey’s farmland, to revitalize vacant lots in urban communities, and to invest in the next generation of food
system leaders.
NJ Food Democracy Collaborative (FDC) has created this Take
Action Bill Toolkit and a
Community Action Guide for local organizing. Both of these are accessible for download on FDC's website,
under Advocacy Tools, Policy Issues, and Campaigns.
Click
here to get access to the Toolkit.
Click
here for the Community Action Guide.
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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.
If you’re passionate about building a cooler, healthier Newark, click
here to attend the
November 17 meeting!
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In partnership with PSE&G and Sustainable Jersey, OoSRCT invites small and medium-sized businesses to join the Direct Install Program — offering a free on-site energy assessment.
This program helps lower energy costs, improve comfort, and modernize your space through energy-efficient upgrades. PSE&G covers the up-front costs, and qualifying businesses repay
as little as 20%—interest-free—over 60 months on their PSE&G bill. Cut operating costs and help build a cleaner, healthier Newark!
Click
here
to learn more and visit our website
www.EnergyOutreachNJ.com/NewarkSave
Supported by a generous grant from Sustainable Jersey
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Lower your utility bills and make your home more comfortable while helping build a greener Newark. Through our partnership with PSE&G and Sustainable Jersey, residents can get a
free home energy assessment and no-cost upgrades through programs like Comfort Partners and Home Weatherization. Homeowners may also qualify for up to $7,500 in rebates through Whole Home Energy Solutions, with interest-free repayment options. Don’t miss this
chance to improve your home and community!
Click
here
to learn more and also visit our website
www.EnergyOutreachNJ.com/Newark
Supported by a generous grant from Sustainable Jersey
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Ironbound Mural Unveiling
We celebrated the unveiling of the "Morning Glory" mural commissioned by Mia Solo, in the Ironbound. The
mural serves as a symbol of hope and resilience, enriching our neighborhood and aligning perfectly with Newark's dedication to community engagement. We warmly encourage everyone
to visit 31 Merchant Street and experience the mural firsthand.
Click
here to view photos from the event.
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Forest Hill 'A Paradise for Pollinators and People!'
Paradise for Pollinators put together an event to showcase their pollinator garden in the North Ward. They conducted guided tours and even gave away seeds so participants could create
their own pollinator gardens.
This project was also awarded the certification of a Monarch Waystation! This means that it is recognized for providing critical resources for monarchs throughout their annual
cycle of reproduction and migration, while also supporting other pollinators and wildlife.
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Soon-to-come updates to Love Your Block, Newark!
We are thrilled to announce that we are revamping
Love
Your Block, Newark!. Stay tuned for more updates on
December 1!
Help Us Shape the Program by Filling Out Our Survey
We want to hear from current and past grantees, reviewers, applicants, and individuals who have considered applying but haven't yet taken the plunge.
·
If you’ve been awarded, please
click
here
to fill out this survey.
·
If you applied and were not awarded, please
click here
to fill out this survey.
·
If you have considered applying but never had the chance, please
click here
to fill out this survey.
The surveys will close on
November 7, so please make sure we receive your feedback!
2026 Orientation Sessions Start in December
Interested in applying for Love Your Block, Newark! next year? Save the date for our virtual orientation sessions in December! If you can’t make it on these dates, no worries! We
will be hosting orientation sessions every month until February, and in-person orientation sessions will follow after
February 14.
·
December 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. To register,
click here.
·
December 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. To register,
click here.
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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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The Gen Green team has been very busy with many exciting updates! Since CanoeMobile, the team has received many great ideas from youth all around the city. We are now at a phase
where we are finalizing these ideas from the youth into more concrete plans with locations.
Last month we met with students at East Side High School and Thirteenth Avenue School. Some students showed off their creativity through TikTok videos, comic strips, and 3D renderings
of their ideas. We will continue to gather ideas from youth from all parts of the city this Fall.
If you work with young people, our Gen Green Youth Fellows would love to host an idea brainstorming session with your students and program participants. Contact our team at
geng...@ci.newark.nj.us
or
(973) 733-4303.
Make sure to follow us on Instagram
@nwk_gengreen.
Supported by a generous grant from the Participatory Budgeting Project
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Let's celebrate everyday Sustainability Champions!
Our November Sustainability Champion is Liz. While walking her dog, she picks up trash on the
street in her Ironbound neighborhood. She is also a dedicated volunteer at the OoSRCT's tree-planting
events.
If you
happen to know of a Sustainability Champion that we should celebrate, please contact us
with their name and a brief description.
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Sustainability Champions are Newarkers who roll up their sleeves and join their neighbors,
local community groups, and city officials to implement sustainability projects in their neighborhoods.
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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Reducing Food Waste During Thanksgiving
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Here are some helpful tips to lower your food waste for this holiday season:
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Plan your holiday meal with an accurate number of guests in mind
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Be creative with meals made from leftovers
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Donate extra unopened food cans to your local food bank
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Compost your food scraps
Tips provided by the USDA, please
click
here.
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Advisory Commission Meeting Schedule
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Newark Environmental Commission
·
Meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month (except for August) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. Meetings are open to the public,
and all are welcome. The next meeting is scheduled for November 12.
Click here
Zoning Board of Adjustment
·
Meetings are held virtually using Zoom on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. The next meeting is on November 13.
Contact the board secretary at (973) 733-6333 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Click
here
Central Planning Board
·
The next meeting is on November 17.
Click here
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Community Feedback Needed! Newark People's Assembly needs your help!
Please complete the community engagement survey questions for the City of Newark. The survey is designed to gather residents' opinions, experiences,
and suggestions for improvement.
SURVEY LINK: https://forms.office.com/r/n4babBKq7K
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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.
The event must be 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
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