The New Jersey Environmental Federation (NJEF or Federation) is a
non-profit 501(c)(4) organization fighting to protect natural resources
and clean up pollution in New Jersey. NJEF is the New Jersey chapter of
Clean Water Action, a 30 year old national organization based in
Washington, DC, and dedicated to organizing citizen efforts to protect
the environment.

Clean Water Action opened the New Jersey office in 1982 to
expand their Clean Water Act campaign into a state with key
congressional representatives. In 1986, the state chapter's name was
changed to the New Jersey Environmental Federation. The new name better
reflected the goal of the organization: to develop a coalition of
community, environmental, student and labor organizations which could
act on a broad range of environmental issues. NJEF has developed into a
powerful network of 100 member groups and 100,000 individual members.
The Federation lobbies in Trenton and Washington, and has pressured
corporations, communities and government agencies to clean up and
protect New Jersey's environment & public health.

NJEF has been influential in shaping environmental policy in
New Jersey because the Federation's programs educate citizens and get
them involved in the decision-making process. NJEF organizers bring
local groups together to develop unified campaigns which result in
passing effective policies that emphasize pollution prevention. By
giving citizen activists hands-on experience in organizing, media
relations, research and lobbying, a base of leaders can build a
stronger environmental movement throughout the state.

NJEF is governed by a membership elected Board of Directors.
The Federation currently has 4 offices. The Belmar (State) and the
Montclair (North Jersey) offices have a field canvass which conducts
education/outreach campaigns in communities throughout the state. Our
phone canvass stays in touch with our members, informing them of new
issues and action to be taken. The Trenton office is our legislative
headquarters. Our Marlton office covers South Jersey and houses our
pesticide campaign coordinator.

In 1987, the Vote Environment Committee of NJEF (VEC) was
formed to endorse and work for candidates who best represent the public
interest in environmental issues. The VEC is now New Jersey's largest
and most active environmental political action committee.

NJEF receives research and educational support from Clean Water Fund (CWF),
a national non-profit research and education organization working
closely with Clean Water Action. CWF sponsors projects which increase
the public's awareness of environmental issues, such as the
award-winning Home Safe Home Exhibit.