SSJ Mission goals

awareness

Increase the numbers of South Jersey residents, businesses and community and governmental organizations that are aware of environmental problems affecting our region.

prioritize

Increase the numbers of South Jersey residents, businesses and community and governmental organizations that prioritize sustainability as a pathway to ameliorate environmental problems.

address

Increase the numbers of sustainability projects and programs and efforts in South Jersey that address these problems in a substantive manner.

Caren Kaufman Memorial Grant Program
Sustainable South Jersey announced our new grant program in 2023, created to honor Caren Kaufman, a grassroots activist who was dedicated to sustainability and health. In 2010, Caren was diagnosed with breast cancer. Receiving this unexpected, life-changing news triggered her to research causes; she wondered if environmental factors could have contributed to her illness. Due to generous donors, the Caren Kaufman grant program will issue grants $500-$1000.
Click here to learn more about the grant program.

Now accepting applications

Applications due 3/31/26 at midnight. Awards are announced on Earth Day 4/22/26. Projects to be completed by Dec 31, 2026.  Applicants are not eligible if they received a Caren Kaufman Memorial Fund grant in the prior year.

making an impact

Inspiring Environmental Action in South Jersey

Whether through inspiration of our ecological resources, or providing environmental education, Sustainable South Jersey is a nexus for community engagement and inspiration. Learn more about our purpose and activity supporting environmentalism in Southern New Jersey

SSJ MeetUps

Enjoy educational speakers, conversation, and networking. Thought leaders in sustainability present with lightning talks at the end from the audience. Join our newsletter to stay in the loop, reach out to for opportunities to connect.

Grant program

Fund your South Jersey initiative! Sustainable South Jersey announced our new mini-grant program in 2020, created to help support exciting environmental initiatives in the South Jersey region.

Please consider supporting our efforts to support real & lasting change in South Jersey !

From the Blog

Landscape Design

Taking a Look at Lawns

  Problematic History The grassy lawn has become a staple of the American landscape especially in suburbia. It is a point of pride for some and a chore for others,

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Featured

2025 SSJ Year in Review

🌿 Sustainable South Jersey: Seven Sustainable Successes of 2025 2025 was a landmark year for Sustainable South Jersey (SSJ), filled with community-driven initiatives, educational outreach, and environmental advocacy. As an

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Upgrade Your Yard Videos

New-Yard-Episode8-Help-Existing-Trees-Support-Wildlife_EdCohenThis video series describes Ed Cohen’s journey as he makes his yard more attractive to birds and butterflies at the same time as reducing water run-off. Each less-than-a-minute video covers a different topic.

Ed would love to hear about your own efforts (or answer questions to help you get started). Contact us at . Ed is also happy to send you a link of resources (just email him).


You can find Ed’s videos
here.

Be a force for nature

Driving Sustainability in South Jersey to benefit our collective future. 

Our mission is to Inspire personal connections to South jerseys ecological resources, promote environmental education and serve as a nexus for community engagement.