Morris, Sussex, and Somerset schools among recipients of $2.37M in state climate change education grants
TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Education has awarded $2.37 million in grants to schools and higher education institutions across the state to strengthen climate change instruction and hands-on learning opportunities, officials announced Friday.
The funding, part of Governor Phil Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, supports three separate programs designed to enhance climate literacy and community-based environmental learning. The initiatives are part of a broader effort led by First Lady Tammy Murphy to integrate climate change education into New Jersey’s schools.
“New Jersey is leading the way when it comes to climate change instruction in our schools,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy, who in 2020 successfully advocated for New Jersey to become the first state to have its statewide learning standards integrate climate change instruction across multiple content areas, ranging from science to social studies. “Our goal is that each class of students will have a deeper understanding of how our actions affect our environment, so they can be prepared to take on the jobs of the green economy and build a stronger and cleaner New Jersey for future generations to enjoy.”
Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said the programs will help prepare students for the environmental challenges of the future.
“New Jersey’s schools lead the nation in offering comprehensive climate change education, and it’s our obligation to provide students with accurate and relevant instruction on this topic,” Dehmer said. “These grants help us move toward that goal by helping to foster climate literacy among students and provide them with the knowledge and understanding they need to meet the challenges that climate change poses.”
Grants benefiting Morris, Sussex, and Somerset Counties
In Morris County, Unity Charter School in Morristown will receive $15,000 through the Climate Change Education and Resilience Through Interdisciplinary Learning (CCERIL) program to support local partnerships and student-led resilience projects.
In Sussex County, Stillwater Township will also receive $15,000 through the same program, while in Somerset County, Somerville Borough will receive $15,000 to enhance experiential climate education initiatives.
The CCERIL program is one of three statewide efforts funded this year. It provides continued support for 24 school districts and charter schools working with community partners to develop student-led climate resilience projects.
The second program, Climate Literacy for Community Resilience (CLCR), funds a new cohort of schools collaborating with municipalities and local organizations to promote community-based environmental learning. The third, Climate Change Learning Collaboratives (CCLCs), supports regional university-led networks that train teachers and share instructional resources.
Statewide impact
The Climate Change Learning Collaboratives grants include $600,000 for Ramapo College of New Jersey, $300,000 for Rutgers University–New Brunswick, $300,000 for Monmouth University, and $600,000 for Stockton University.
Across the state, projects range from combating beach erosion in Atlantic County by planting native dune grass to addressing food insecurity in Middlesex County through student-developed aquaponic agriculture systems.
The Climate Change Learning Collaboratives grant runs through March 31, 2026, while the Climate Literacy for Community Resilience and Climate Change Education and Resilience Through Interdisciplinary Learning grants run through May 31, 2026.
