South Jersey Highlights is a series of profiles on local environmental groups, advocates, clubs and natural sites. You can read all of the articles in the series. If you’d like to have your organization profiled, you can contact us.
In a small two-story building on Lafayette Street in Trenton, there is work being done to save the world – or at least New Jersey.
New Jersey Future is a public-policy organization dedicated to preserving the environment, finding and implementing transportation solutions, addressing a shortage in state housing and its rising costs, and investing in infrastructure to improve transportation and water quality.
Started in 1987, the organization works to create long-term solutions for future generations.
“We just finished up a policy document outlining our agenda for the coming year,” said Tim Evans, New Jersey Future’s director of research. “There are six major topics on it… housing, transportation, water infrastructure, planning, adapting to natural hazards, and public health.”
In 2022, the organization launched the Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs campaign, which helped secure $300 million in federal funds for water infrastructure from the American Rescue Plan. The campaign focused on cleaning up waterways, addressing flooding, and eliminating lead from drinking water.
“There’s a group of our staff that mainly focuses on issues related to water infrastructure,” Evans said. “Lead-Free New Jersey is one group that they run, which is looking to replace lead water pipes. There’s another group called Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers that’s looking to upgrade outdated water infrastructure.”
New Jersey Future also works to find ways to further enhance community engagement in the state.
One such way of doing this is a partnership with the Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All coalition. At a 2024 event at Princeton University groups discussed how to develop more solutions for housing opportunities, to make neighborhoods more walkable, and other ways to help the state thrive.
The organization’s annual Smart Growth Awards, recognize planning and redevelopment strategies that improve local neighborhoods.
Another priority is how to make New Jersey more elderly-friendly, ensuring land preservation, and finding ways to revitalize communities throughout the state. The organization also helps local communities understand how environment issues impact residents.
