As New Jersey celebrates Earth Day, a major local energy leader is putting its money where the marsh is.
New Jersey Resources (NJR), the Wall-based parent company of New Jersey Natural Gas, announced a $35,000 donation on Wednesday aimed at protecting one of the state’s most vital—yet vulnerable—natural defenses: the salt marshes of the Jersey Shore.
The funding, provided through NJR’s Coastal Climate Initiative (CCI), will support The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) “Municipal Match-Making for Marsh Restoration and Community Resilience” program. The ambitious project sets a 2030 goal to restore and manage 2,000 acres of salt marsh, providing a natural buffer for more than 100,000 coastal residents.
While tourists flock to the Shore for the sandy beaches, experts say the marshes behind the barrier islands are the real heavy lifters of the ecosystem.
“These habitats are literally nature’s nursery,” Barbara Brummer, TNC’s New Jersey State Director said. “They provide recreation space, drive local economies, and protect homes and businesses from storm waves and flooding. We cannot afford to lose such critical benefits.”
The marshes currently face a triple threat: rising sea levels, increased storm frequency, and a lack of natural sediment. Without intervention, these wetlands could eventually be submerged, leaving inland communities exposed to the full force of Atlantic surges.
The $35,000 donation will kickstart Phase 1 of the initiative. Over the coming months, TNC will survey 20 to 25 municipalities across Monmouth and Ocean counties.
The goal is to identify areas where local dredging projects—often seen as a maintenance burden—can be turned into an environmental win. By using clean dredged material to “nourish” and elevate sinking marshes, the program aims to create a sustainable cycle of restoration.
“Protecting New Jersey’s coastal ecosystems and communities aligns with our efforts to enhance environmental stewardship,” Steve Westhoven, president and CEO of New Jersey Resources said.
This Earth Day pledge is part of a larger $2 million, five-year commitment NJR made in 2021 through its Coastal Climate Initiative. To date, the company has already deployed nearly 70% of those funds toward nature-based solutions and climate resiliency.
For residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties, the partnership represents a proactive step toward “gray-green” infrastructure—using the state’s natural beauty to defend against an increasingly unpredictable climate.
