Why New Jersey Natural Gas Advocates for Wetland Climate Change Solutions

New Jersey Natural Gas has a longstanding tradition of not only serving customers but also serving the community as a whole to help residents live fuller, more rewarding lives. One way they are doing that this summer is by highlighting local charities through their sponsorship of our Asbury Park Boardwalk Studio.

This month, they're highlighting their own project, the New Jersey Natural Gas’ Coastal Climate Initiative.

This effort supports climate change solutions that positively impact our communities. They have joined forces with The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey, an environmental nonprofit with over 60 years of experience working to protect water and lands in New Jersey, and their work to restore saltwater tidal wetlands in the Barnegat Bay.

The salt marsh islands in Barnegat Bay and along the New Jersey shore are vital ecosystems. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has asserted they are critical for the state to meet its emissions reduction targets. Coastal marshes act as “carbon sinks,” reducing emissions by actively removing carbon from the atmosphere and safely sequestering it away in the ground.

They also act as a natural barrier against climate impacts, reducing the impact of storm surges and providing a barrier to help protect people and property in New Jersey’s coastal communities. The Coastal Climate Initiative builds on NJR’s support for The Nature Conservancy in this effort, which began with an initial $25,000 donation last year.

Here's how it works: Through the Coastal Climate Initiative, NJNG customers can join this effort with a simple, on-bill donation option that will directly support the salt marsh restoration and preservation efforts being led by The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey.

To maximize the impact of their contributions, NJR will match each customer donation dollar for dollar up to $50,000 total annually. All donations go directly to The Nature Conservancy.

Folks can donate to the Coastal Climate Initiative at njng.com/climate.

And remember, we'll be broadcasting live from the Asbury Park Boardwalk Studio on the afternoons of July 16 and Aug. 20. Stop by Ocean Avenue and 4th Avenue, say hi, and get your picture taken with us!