Developing Education and Community Engagement Programs Through Sustainable Practices in the New Jersey Highlands
Samantha Juarez
Co-Presenters: Allison Brizuela, Juhi Rawal, Caitlyn Lewis, Savanna Frantz, Hamida Memon, Valentina Moreno, Chukwunoso Okonkwo
College: College of Education
Major: BA.EEBL/K6/5-8/ES
Faculty Research Mentor: Sarnoski, Joseph
Abstract:
Sustainability education is crucial for students and community members to understand ongoing local environmental issues. To address a gap in community education, two programs will be developed and implemented to advocate sustainable education within the New Jersey Highlands region. The first initiative will be the “Sustainability in Bloom” event, which is held on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, at the Kean Skylands Campus in Jefferson Township, New Jersey. The community will be invited and involved in locally based environmental activities, using the Skylands campus as a living classroom. This event will allow hands-on experience while enhancing community outreach using a mixed method of developing long and short-term sustainable awareness. The second initiative involves the recreation of Kean Skylands’ Experiential Learning Program for K-12 students, reflecting current sustainability practices and aligning with current New Jersey curriculum standards. Additionally, the project members developed a series of lesson plans focused on K-12 sustainability education. Together, these initiatives emphasize sustainable education within the mixed uplands of the New Jersey Highlands by integrating community engagement with experiential learning. By positioning the Skylands Campus as a focal point for environmental stewardship, the programs aim to strengthen connections between students, families, and surrounding communities while promoting locally relevant sustainability practices. These learning excursions serve as catalysts for community change by fostering a culture of sustainability, amplifying student voices, and encouraging students to actively participate in addressing environmental issues. Through hands-on learning, academically aligned programming, and community-centered outreach, these initiatives seek to build long-term environmental awareness and inspire collective action towards a more sustainable future in the New Jersey Highlands.Key words: Mixed Uplands, Community Engagement, Sustainable Education