Spotlight on Events

(Scroll down for newsworthy items, legislative/regulatory highlights and membership information)

ALERT: If you missed the NJFA’s live webinar on the 2025 (now!) Spongy Moth (f/k/a Gypsy Moth) Outbreak, you can watch it HERE.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has called the spongy moth “the most destructive forest insect pest to infest NJ’s forests.” 

Woodland owners in infested areas should watch this video right now.

This video features Ben Pisano of the NJ Forest Service, who shares an incredible amount of information on the Spongy Moth, its origins, lifecycle, impacts, detection, state spraying programs and landowner treatment options.  Mr. Pisano has worked with the NJ Forest Service since 2019 and was a presenter at the NJFA’s 2024 annual meeting.

 If you have been enjoying our Backyard Forestry Webinars, now is the time to support the NJFA for 2025.  To join or donate to the NJFA today, click HERE.

Tree Farm Day is June 6, 2025.  This year’s event is at the Forest Resource Education Center (the FREC) in Jackson NJ.  Click HERE to register and for more information.

Congratulations to John Parke, who received the NJFA’s 2025 Sal Vuocolo Award, which recognizes Passionate Devotion, Dedication and Contribution to the Enhancement and Sustainability of New Jersey’s Forests.  The award was presented at our 50th Annual Meeting, on April 15th at Rutgers University.

2025 NJFA Membership Renewal/Join – Please Renew/Join Today

If you have not yet joined/renewed your membership for 2025, please do so right away.  Thank you for your support!  PLEASE Click HERE to Renew or Join.

 

Join or renew your NJFA membership for 2025 online by clicking HERE (if you prefer to join/renew by mail, you can find a link to the form below).  Your being a member is essential in our work. 

As we enter our 50th year, the NJFA is the leading resource for New Jersey’s forests and forest landowners.  We advocate for all forests in our state by supporting responsible, sustainable use and science-based forest management, benefiting the forest ecosystem and all dependent communities.  The NJFA is the only statewide organization that supports the interests of New Jersey’s forests and forest landowners. 

We track, comment and report on legislation, regulations, actions and emerging matters affecting forests and forest ownership, stewardship, forest management, invasive species, insects and diseases, carbon sequestration and storage, farmland assessment, taxation, land use, hunting, recreation and outdoor activities, estate and legacy planning, preservation, and conservation, participate on advisory committees, conduct a broad range of outreach and educational programs, and actively work on behalf of private woodland owners.

The NJFA offers monthly online webinars, video libraries, training, meetings, field tours and newsletters. We collaborate with state and federal agencies, legislators, educational institutions, scientific authorities, conservation organizations, landowner organizations, outdoor and sporting groups, and forest professionals. We partner with other organizations such as the NJ State Forest Service, USDA/NRCS, SAF, Tree Farm, Rutgers, and other institutions, to bring programs and information to our membership and others interested in the future of New Jersey’s forests.

Prefer to renew/join by mail? Click HERE for a printable form.

New Jersey Forestry Association, Inc.

A non-profit tax-exempt organization under IRS 501(c)(3)

The NJFA is the essential advocate for woodland owners, conservationists and others interested in maintaining New Jersey’s forests.  If you value New Jersey’s forests – whether or not you are a landowner – and want to support our efforts, we welcome you to join the NJFA, participate in our activities and programs or donate (or all three!).

Founded in 1975, the NJFA is the only statewide organization supporting the sustainability and resiliency of NJ’s public and private forests through forestry education, and science-based forest management.  The NJFA hosts several programs, including Backyard Forestry in 90 Minutes, Walk-in-the-Woods, Tree Planting, and NJ Woodland Stewards; tracks, monitors, and provides input on legislation and rulemaking affecting NJ’s forests and woodland owners; produces member newsletters; collaborates with conservation and outdoor organizations, governmental units, and educational institutions; and hosts an annual meeting.  The NJFA is the go-to resource for legislators, agencies and other non-profits seeking comments on legislation and activities affecting NJ’s forests, and works jointly with public and private conservation groups.  The NJFA is, through legislation and rulemaking, named to several committees involved in forestry, stewardship and taxation, and served as one of the four co-chairs of the NJ Forest Task Force.   The NJFA’s volunteer board, officers and committee members include forest landowners, forest professionals, educators and scientists.

©2025 New Jersey Forestry Association, Inc.

Why join the NJFA?

Because you care about the future of NJ’s forests and:

  • Support forest conservation and stewardship
  • Believe in resilient and sustainable forests
  • Recognize the value of science-based forest management
  • Own or manage forestland or farmland
  • Have an approved woodland management or forest stewardship plan
  • Participate or are interested in farmland assessment
  • Support urban and community forestry
  • Are concerned about private property rights
  • Care about water supply and clean air
  • Use forests for recreation and other activities
  • Are concerned about climate change
  • Want to understand the mechanisms of carbon sequestration and storage
  • Acknowledge society’s dependence on forest products
  • Appreciate wildlife and fostering habitats
  • Need information on legislation/rulemaking affecting forests
  • Are concerned about forest diseases and invasive species
  • Want access to useful forest educational programs
  • Are impacted by deer overpopulation
  • Worry about wildfires and increasing storm severity
  • Recognize that forests fill many social and environmental purposes
  • Value the broad range of activities that forests support
  • Appreciate the uniqueness of each forest
  • Work in forest management, arboriculture or environmental education
  • Work in taxation or in other regulatory or environmental functions
  • Are a member or employee of other conservation organizations
  • Want to preserve a forest legacy

or simply

  • Love forests and all they provide to our society and environment

JOIN TODAY by clicking HERE.

 

Legislative/Regulatory/Reports

-The NJFA is tracking S3446 (proposes to establish a new Farmland Assessment Review Commission to annually review and recommend changes to the farmland assessment program).

Read Bill S3446 HERE.

– The NJFA is tracking possible changes to the farmland assessment minimum income and acreage requirements.

– The NJFA commented on S699 (establishes a program in SADC for acquisition of development easements on privately-owned woodlands).

Read Bill S699 HERE.

– The NJFA commented on S1029 (Invasive Species Management Act).

Read Bill S1029 HERE.

– The NJFA commented on the NJ REAL (Resilient Environments and Landscapes) Rules.

Read the proposed rules and get more information HERE.

– View the Highlands Council’s May 18, 2023 Meeting Presentation on its Visit to Sparta Mountain HERE.  View its “Summary of Findings” HERE.

– The NJFA was one of the four co-chairs of the NJ Forest Task Force.  Read the Final Report of the New Jersey Forest Task Force HERE.

– Click on the graphic below to listen to NJFA Comments at the October 19, 2023 Highlands Council meeting.  Comments begin at 49 minutes into the meeting.

 

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Get in touch

Phone 908-832-2400
Fax 908-832-2400
Email njforestry@gmail.com
Address PO Box 367
Flemington, NJ 08822

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