About Us
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.
