MONMOUTH COUNTY – The Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) has announced its “MCF Conservation Wagon,” providing environmental education programs throughout Monmouth County.
“Ray Catena has graciously funded the MCF Conservation Wagon – a Sprinter Cargo Van – allowing us to bring important conservation programming to students and residents of Monmouth County, with a particular emphasis on reaching our most underserved communities,” MCF Executive Director William D. Kastning said. “Topics will complement school lessons with activities that demonstrate the importance of green space and how each of us can create positive change and build hope for a sustainable future.”
The MCF Conservation Wagon will be accessible at community events, environmental fairs, and park and school visits throughout around the county. The educational programing delivered by the Conservation Wagon supports MCF’s goals on land preservation. Some themes will include “restoring biodiversity and ecosystem function, employing natural climate solutions, and taking individual action to create climate resiliency,” the organization said.
The MCF Conservation Wagon will prioritize underserved communities, being a free service at qualifying schools, municipal parks, and community events. It can also be used on a fee basis for arranged school visits, field trips, and private events.
In addition, the organization is teaming up with Monmouth University to create a lesson plan framework centering around the importance of green space, natural climate solutions, and individual action to create climate resiliency.
Designing these public-friendly educational materials will be MCF’s new Director of Educational Outreach Doug Caum. The lesson plans, ranging from preK-12, will meet New Jersey state standards, the organization said.
“To help deliver the educational programming, Caum will develop an intern and docent program of Conservation Wagon ambassadors,” MCF said. “Students and families will ultimately participate in activities that teach actions they can take in their own home or backyard to promote the health of our environment, and in turn, improve the quality of our air and water and emphasize overall well-being and sustainability for the community – via the Conservation Wagon.”
Additionally, Caum will deliver experiential learning programs for New Jersey educators as part of MCF’s work as a sub-grantee on the Expanding Access to Climate Change Education and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) through Climate Change Learning Collaboratives (CCLC) grant, which was awarded in 2024 to Monmouth University by the New Jersey Department of Education.
In the future, MCF plans to offering interactive opportunities at and relating to Scudder Preserve. In April 2024, MCF took ownership of the 90-acre natural site in Middletown and plans to restore the natural habitat while having a living laboratory for educational activities.
