Volunteer with the Sierra Club Jersey Shore Group!
Are you a Monmouth County resident who's passionate about protecting our environment, natural spaces, and coastline, and social-media savvy? The Sierra Club Jersey Shore Group has multiple volunteer positions available!
These are great opportunities for college students, young grads, or anyone with an interest in the environment and technology. If you're interested in learning more, visit the “Contact Us” page and reach out via phone or email.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
If you enjoy the outdoors, also join our monthly hikes.
See our calendar at bottom of this page
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JOIN NEXT SCIENCE MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026 at 6:30PM
at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ
(for directions, scroll to near bottom of this page)
REGISTER HERE for more Information
Title: Oyster Breeding Program at the Rutgers Cape Shore Laboratory
Speaker: Samuel Ratcliff, Cape Shore Operations Manager, Rutgers University, Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory
Description: Mr. Ratcliff will talk about the production and evaluation of Rutgers’ disease-resistant oyster lines, the production of tetraploid lines and other experimental crosses in support of genomic research and genomic selection, and the coastal environment benefits of aquaculture.
Laboratory facilities at the site include two hatcheries with 3000 sq ft of quarantine hatchery. The lab provides paid internship for students.
The Rutgers Cape Shore Laboratory is a New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and a field station located on the shore of Delaware Bay in Cape May, NJ.
Arrive before 6:30PM, and enjoy free sub slices & pizza, soda, water
Join the “50 x 30 TEAM”
Help Meet New Jersey's 2030 Climate Goal of 50% GHG reduction by 2030!
Recent Climate Disasters:
2026-4-21 published in the journal Science Advances (& various other sources): Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is significantly more likely to collapse than previously thought, which would have catastrophic consequences for Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It is expected to collapse 50% by 2100. If that happens, it will almost certainly completely collapse.
2026-3-23 "A winter heat wave roasted the United States last week. On the last full day of winter, thermometers near Martinez Lake, Arizona, a desert community about 150 miles west of Phoenix, reached an astonishing 110 degrees. These heat extremes will become more likely, frequent and intense as the climate warms. Read more about how a developing El Niño is expected to unleash even more heat across the planet into 2027". Climate Coach, Washington Post
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) “State of the Global Climate 2025” report:
2025 was one of the three warmest years on record
Ocean temperatures set records in 2025; “Exceptional levels” of glacier mass loss
Increased mosquito-borne disease: World Health Organization: half of world’s population is at risk of dengue, and reported cases are at an all-time high.
- "U.S. billion-dollar disasters have increased dramatically since 1980 due to the rise in extreme weather and a growing number of people, homes, and businesses in harm’s way.” Billion dollar disasters in 2025 cost $115 billion. April 3, 2025 "Climate Central" report: Unchecked global climate pollution would result in 74,000 New Jersey residents in 66,000 homes facing increased flood risk over the next 25 years. Source: sea-level rise projections by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Each year’s average earth temperature is hottest ever. June-August, 2024 world temperature was the highest ever recorded. Average NJ land temperature is currently 4 degrees F hotter than long term average. Offshore NJ Atlantic waters are up to 4 degrees F hotter than long term average. "Temperatures during 2023 likely exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years.” (Copernicus Climate Change Service). Scientists say we should all be alarmed.
July 1, 2024, Hurricane Beryl intensified into Cat 5. This is earlier, and stronger than anything recorded.
The WMO, a United Nations agency, listed 151 “unprecedented” extreme weather events in 2024, which was the warmest on record. Eight countries had at least 1 million more people facing acute food insecurity than during the 2023 peak, while droughts contributed to a reduced global cereal harvest
- Rapidly rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification Impacts sea life: lobsters and surf clams are declining; black sea bass (and other sea life) are moving northward. "Black sea bass are ending up in lobster traps. The evidence has been in their stomachs"
- Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation has slowed 15%; many models predict major interruption of circulation (summary).
- Historic flooding; due in part to accelerating loss of Greenland and West Antarctica ice sheets
- The lives of 2 billion people are threatened by melting glaciers due to climate change, per UNESCO's new World Water Development Report, released to correspond with the UN's first World Day for Glaciers. "As the world warms, glaciers are melting master than ever, making the water cycle more unpredictable and extreme," the report says. "And because of glacial retreat, floods, droughts, landslides, and sea-level rise are intensifying, with devastating consequences for people and nature."
THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR: The U.S. "Fifth National Climate Assessment", Nov 13, 2023; the UN IPCC "Sixth Assessment Report" Mar 20, 2023; the Paris Agreement, and 1000s of scientists all agree we must achieve 50% Green House Gas (GHG) reduction by 2030, on the way to NetZero GHG emissions by 2050.
“ON A BUSINESS-AS-USUAL COURSE…OUR [NJ] 2050 GHG WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THEY ARE TODAY”, from an Oct 15, 2020, report by the NJ DEP. The report recommends additional strategies for policymakers to achieve GHG goals. See the Executive Summary here.
TAKE ACTIONABLE STEPS NOW. HELP ASK FOR CRITICAL POLICIES: join the “50 x 30 Team” to reduce GHG emissions 50% by 2030. Help guide reduction in GHG from New Jersey’s buildings (26% of total NJ GHG) and cooperate in reducing New Jersey’s additional biggest GHG sources: transportation (42% of NJ Total), and electricity generation (19% of total NJ), while supporting low- and moderate-income NJ residents.
THE NJ “50 x 30 TEAM” educates and advocates that households, municipalities, NJ, and the Federal Government set and track aggressive goals to reduce GHG emissions.
SIGN UP NOW for the “50 x 30 Team”! You will receive reports, agendas, and calls to action. Typical Zoom webinars are at 7PM, on the 3rd Thursday of each month, and as needed for those members working high-intensity projects. For more information, or questions about signup, contact stevemiller@comcast.net Co-Chair and Climate Chair, Sierra Club Jersey Shore Group and co-chair Building Electrification Committee, Sierra Club NJ Chapter).
About the Sierra Club
Our Mission
The Jersey Shore Group serves to fulfill the Sierra Club's mission and ensure a healthy environment for all those living in Monmouth County. We accomplish this through the following activities:
- Educating the public about environmental and conservation science through regular meetings and presentations.
- Protecting our water, land, and air through local conservation efforts, grassroots advocacy campaigns, and assisting local agencies.
- Enjoying the natural world through community events, hikes, and canoeing.
If you'd like to receive information on our group, including invitations to our events and opportunities to take action, fill out the signup form at the top of this page!
Come to our Next In Person Meeting
To keep you aware of major environmental events, we will be using this website, monthly bulletins, "The Jersey Sierran" quarterly newletter, and the Sierra Club NJ Chapter Calendar.
Free pizza, subs, chips, and soft drinks are provided by Sierra Club Shore Group at Science Monday events, prior to 6:30PM.
Date: January 26, 2026 6:30PM
Title: Watershed management: Green and sustainable infrastructure for stormwater management
Speaker: Christopher C. Obropta, Professor in Environmental Sciences, Rutgers UniversityDescription: Join Dr. Christopher C. Obropta from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program for an engaging presentation, “All About Rain Gardens.” Learn how rain gardens help reduce flooding, improve water quality, and beautify communities by capturing and filtering stormwater naturally. Dr. Obropta will also share information about the Green Infrastructure Champions Program, which trains and supports local leaders, municipal staff, and residents in implementing green infrastructure projects throughout New Jersey. Whether you’re interested in improving your community’s resilience or creating a rain garden at home, this talk will provide the knowledge and inspiration to get started!
Biography: Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E. is the Extension Specialist in Water Resources with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and he is a Professor with the Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers University. Prior to joining Rutgers, Dr. Obropta was an environmental consultant for 12 years at Omni Environmental Corporation. Dr. Obropta has a background in watershed management, water quality modeling, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and coastal engineering. His specific experience includes watershed restoration, wastewater treatment system design and management, TMDL studies, stormwater management, wetland design, longshore sediment transport, and geographic information systems (GIS).
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Date: February 23, 2026 6:30PM
Title: Habitat conservation for endangered species in NJ
Speaker: William Pitts, Senior Zoologist with NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife’s Endangered & Nongame Species ProgramDescription: New tools and technologies are being applied to habitat conservation in New Jersey, to help endangered species such as the kestrel (our smallest falcon), the bog turtle, and the tiger salamander. Different species and the ecosystems they depend upon will be covered. The eDNA project (uses samples collected from the environment to assess the presence of species), GIS modeling of habitat suitability, and other tools are enriching the reach of our state’s wildlife biologists to study and protect the breeding and survivorship of endangered species.
Biography: William “Bill” Pitts is a Senior Zoologist with NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife’s Endangered & Nongame Species Program. He has been with the program since 2005, and manages several projects across various species groups including, eastern tiger salamanders, migratory shorebirds, and American kestrels. He has coordinated with and developed partnership with organizations in New Jersey such as the Conserve Wildlife Foundation and Raritan Headwaters Association, and in so doing has educated the public and supported the development of citizen and community science programs.
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Date: March 23, 2026 6:30PM
Title: Creating healthier, sustainable communities through clean energy and community planning
Speaker: Ben Haygood, Director of the Johnson Center for Learning & PolicyDescription: Revitalizing communities by working alongside local residents to plan their neighborhood's future and to develop energy infrastructure, affordable and healthy homes, parks, gardens, shared facilities, and more. The use of community-based planning to steer redevelopment of energy infrastructure and healthy homes, former factories, open spaces, and safe streets. (Mr. Haygood’s lecture date may be switched with one of the other lectures, due to his legislative schedule. An update will be posted, if needed.)
Biography: Ben Haygood is the Director of Policy & Partnerships at Isles, a community development organization out of Trenton that fosters healthy sustainable communities, where he works with government, coalitions, and communities to create and implement policies protecting children from lead poisoning, and to create healthier homes and communities through cleaner energy and equity-driven policy. Previously, Ben was at the Housing & Community Development Network of NJ, on Sandy and Katrina Disaster Recovery, and was a firefighter in Texas and a Cavalry Scout in Bosnia and Haiti.
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Date: April 27, 2026 6:30PM
Title: Oyster Breeding Program at the Rutgers Cape Shore Laboratory
Speaker: Samuel Ratcliff, Cape Shore Operations Manager, Rutgers University, Haskin Shellfish Research LaboratoryDescription: Mr. Ratcliff will talk about the production and evaluation of Rutgers’ disease-resistant oyster lines, the production of tetraploid lines and other experimental crosses in support of genomic research and genomic selection, and the coastal environment benefits of aquaculture.
The Rutgers Cape Shore Laboratory is a New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and a field station located on the shore of Delaware Bay in Cape May, NJ. Laboratory facilities at the site include two hatcheries with 3000 sq. ft. of quarantine hatchery. The lab provides summer paid internships for students.Biography: Samuel Ratcliff is the Operations Manager & Researcher at Rutgers University Cape Shore Laboratory in Cape May, NJ. He has worked with a wide range of species, from finfish and ornamental crustaceans to bivalves, which shaped his passion for sustainable aquaculture and coastal ecology, deepening his appreciation for the complexity of marine systems and the importance of hands-on research. He manages the Rutgers Cape Shore Laboratory, where he combines his scientific background with fieldwork, mentoring, and coordinating projects that support both research and the commercial sector of shellfish aquaculture in New Jersey.
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Date: September 28, 2026Title: "50 States of Sustainability:" Hope=Action=ImpactSpeaker: Larry Confino, film director and producer
Description: Larry Confino is the director of “50 States of Sustainability”, a nationally distributed PBS docuseries spotlighting individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies advancing practical solutions in energy innovation, resource resilience, infrastructure modernization, and next-generation workforce development. For his presentation, he'll show clips from the series and talk about the challenges and solutions to affect change from within every industry. He will further discuss how businesses, non-profits and individuals are working hard towards a more sustainable future. Discussion followed by Q & A.
Biography: Larry Confino is an alum from New York University's film program and has been an independent director and producer for over 25 years. His focus has been feature documentary production and documentary style productions for agencies, corporations and non-profits. His current project “50 States of Sustainability” is a docuseries about renewable energy and sustainability that has been airing nationally on PBS. Season #2 began airing in January 2026. Season #3 is currently in pre production. Each episode highlights real-world progress across industries.
----Date: October 26, 2026
Title: Watershed management: Green and sustainable infrastructure for stormwater management
Speaker: Christopher C. Obropta, Professor in Environmental Sciences, Rutgers UniversityDescription: Join Dr. Christopher C. Obropta from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program for an engaging presentation, “All About Rain Gardens.” Learn how rain gardens help reduce flooding, improve water quality, and beautify communities by capturing and filtering stormwater naturally. Dr. Obropta will also share information about the Green Infrastructure Champions Program, which trains and supports local leaders, municipal staff, and residents in implementing green infrastructure projects throughout New Jersey. Whether you’re interested in improving your community’s resilience or creating a rain garden at home, this talk will provide the knowledge and inspiration to get started!
Biography: Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E. is the Extension Specialist in Water Resources with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and he is a Professor with the Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers University. Prior to joining Rutgers, Dr. Obropta was an environmental consultant for 12 years at Omni Environmental Corporation. Dr. Obropta has a background in watershed management, water quality modeling, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and coastal engineering. His specific experience includes watershed restoration, wastewater treatment system design and management, TMDL studies, stormwater management, wetland design, longshore sediment transport, and geographic information systems (GIS).
----
Date: November 23, 2026
Title: Habitat conservation for endangered species in NJ
Speaker: William Pitts, Senior Zoologist with NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife’s Endangered & Nongame Species ProgramDescription: New tools and technologies are being applied to habitat conservation in New Jersey, to help endangered species such as the kestrel (our smallest falcon), the bog turtle, and the tiger salamander. Different species and the ecosystems they depend upon will be covered. The eDNA project (uses samples collected from the environment to assess the presence of species), GIS modeling of habitat suitability, and other tools are enriching the reach of our state’s wildlife biologists to study and protect the breeding and survivorship of endangered species.
Biography: William “Bill” Pitts is a Senior Zoologist with NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife’s Endangered & Nongame Species Program. He has been with the program since 2005, and manages several projects across various species groups including, eastern tiger salamanders, migratory shorebirds, and American kestrels. He has coordinated with and developed partnership with organizations in New Jersey such as the Conserve Wildlife Foundation and Raritan Headwaters Association, and in so doing has educated the public and supported the development of citizen and community science programs.
Directions to Science Monday at Brookdale Community College
Logistics: The program begins at 6:30 PM.
FREE pizza for lecture attendees in Warner Student Life Center (SLC) Twin Lights Rooms I and II.Brookdale Address:
Warner Student Life Center
Twin Lights Rooms 1 and 2, ground (lowest) floor
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Rd
Lincroft, NJ 07738DIRECTIONS to BROOKDALE's Lincroft campus & the campus building:
Take Parkway Exit 109 to Route 520 West (Newman Springs Road, which becomes E. Main Street at the Lincroft campus). Take the traffic circle into the campus and follow the signs to the Warner Student Life Center ("SLC" on the map below) and parking lot 7. As you walk eastward towards the building complex, Warner will be down a slight incline to your left. A campus map is at: https://www.brookdalecc.edu/center-for-the-visual-arts-gallery/visit-us/maps/
Please see the calendar below for information about upcoming meetings and other Jersey Shore Group events!
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