New Jersey Resources, the parent company of New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), announced a $50,000 donation from its Coastal Climate Initiative (CCI) to Ducks Unlimited, a leader in wetlands conservation, to help protect and enhance coastal habitats on Cattus Island, located in Toms River.
CCI supports projects and programs designed to improve the resilience of ecosystems and mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as strengthen community engagement and environmental education.
“Giving back and investing in the communities we serve is a core value of our company,” said Steve Westhoven, president and CEO of New Jersey Resources. “Through our Coastal Climate Initiative, we are helping improve resiliency, protect local habitats, enhance the environment and strengthen the coastal communities where we live and work.
“Together, with organizations like Ducks Unlimited, we are making a difference for us all for the long term.”
Cattus Island represents northern Barnegat Bay’s largest contiguous salt marsh habitat complex and serves as a vital habitat for diverse, local wildlife. The 846-acre property, which operates as a county park, provides storm protection and resilience for the greater Toms River area, attracts 150,000 visitors annually and houses the Cooper Environmental Center that has provided environmental education and volunteer programs since 1980.
“The Cattus Island project exemplifies the power of partnership, uniting conservation organizations, local leaders and the community to restore vital salt marshes that provide habitat for wildlife and strengthen coastal resilience for generations to come,” said Jim Feaga, regional biologist at Ducks Unlimited.
The announcement builds on New Jersey Resources’ long history of philanthropic support — both financial and volunteerism — to local communities and nonprofits in the areas in which it operates. To date, it has committed nearly 70% of its $2 million pledge over five years to CCI from its charitable foundations.
