The New Jersey School of Conservation, a long-running hub of environmental conservation in Stokes State Forest, has entered a new chapter, being run by the nonprofit group Friends of the NJSOC. The school closed temporarily in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a closure that almost became permanent after debate over funding for its programs, proposed new development of the property and who should actually be in charge.
The Friends of NJSOC lobbied to keep the school as it is, and the state agreed to give them a chance. After two successful summers on short-term leases, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection has recently signed a long-term, 20-year lease to allow the Friends of NJSOC to remain in charge.
“Experiential education is critical for kids of all ages, whether they’re younger kids, college kids. But to have an opportunity to come to a campus like this and get their hands wet, get their feet in the woods, the pine needles, gives them an opportunity to just experience things that they wouldn’t experience in a classroom sitting down at a desk,” said instructor Robin Anderson.
