New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

09/14/2026

09/14/2026

Migratory bat sightings wanted!

Following a successful pilot project last fall, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) has a small number of ultra-lightweight BlūBat+ transmitters to attach to bats this migration season, starting now! We're most interested in tagging Silver-haired Bats and Northern Hoary Bats, but sightings of Eastern Red Bats are welcome and valuable as well. Your sightings will be helpful since these bats are otherwise difficult to come by. They may be spotted clinging to buildings, window screens, parking garage walls, shrubs or trees - any convenient place to rest along their journey.

If you notice one of these bats roosting, please take a photo and email it with the bat’s location to [email protected]. Please do not disturb or touch any bats you find.

This effort is part of a multi-state collaboration with researchers at Virginia Tech, as we embrace a new cellular tracking technology with hopes of learning how far our migratory bats travel, how they move through the landscape, and what challenges they may encounter along the way.

As always, we welcome sightings of any bat species in NJ at any time of year, as long as a close enough photo is provided that we can identify the species. Please share sightings using our NJ Wildlife Tracker form: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/ae6c1dbdacd94562a25785433f612750. If you don't know the species, that's fine! Just select "Other."

Learn more about bats in New Jersey: https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/conservation/bat-conservation/

09/10/2026

What a day of celebration to reflect on! Today DEP hosted its third annual Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Day for state employees.

Our sister agencies joined us to commemorate the different cultures and backgrounds that make us unique. Thank you to all our uplifting speakers and to the various guests who participated in global games, line dancing, music, food and contributing to another successful

Thank you to our partnering agencies NJ Civil Service Commission, NJ Department of Community Affairs, NJ Board of Public Utilities, NJ Department of Veterans Affairs, NJ Motor Vehicle Commission and NJ Economic Development Authority!

09/09/2026

This fall, DEP was awarded the 2026 State Innovation Award for our Blue Acres Program! Our video submissions highlights New Jersey families who sold their homes to the Blue Acres Program and how it has helped them move forward.

A huge thank you to ECOS for recognizing us!

09/09/2026

Following his swearing in yesterday, NJDEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak announced the executive leadership team that will work alongside him to focus on responsive government and affordability for the state’s residents.

“I am very pleased to announce an experienced leadership team composed of professionals with extensive experience in environmental protection,” Commissioner Potosnak said.

“We are dedicated to building partnerships and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to protect our environment and enhance quality of life in New Jersey. Together, we will deliver on Governor Sherrill’s mission to make government more efficient and responsive while continuing the DEP’s longstanding tradition as a national leader in protecting the environment and public health.”

🔗News release at https://nj.pulse.ly/er6pzprsey

09/09/2026

Join us in formally welcoming Ed Potosnak as DEP’s 19th commissioner! Yesterday afternoon, Commissioner Potosnak was officially sworn in at the State House in Trenton.

Since stepping into his role as acting commissioner, Commissioner Potosnak has immersed himself in projects across the state in an effort to fulfill the Sherrill Administration’s mission to deliver a more efficient government and to make New Jersey more affordable. DEP is proud to have such a hands-on leader safeguarding the environment in NJ.

Congratulations Commissioner Potosnak!

09/07/2026

🌎💨 Clean air is essential to healthy communities.

For International Day of Clean Air, we’re highlighting the work happening across New Jersey to better understand and protect the air we breathe.

DEP monitors a number of air toxics, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and black carbon, which are emitted by motor vehicles and other common sources.

We also monitor criteria pollutants, which are pollutants regulated under national air quality standards. Monitoring helps us track air quality, identify potential sources and understand what people may be exposed to.

Learn more about DEP’s commitment to protecting the air we all share at: dep.nj.gov/airmon/

09/07/2026

♻️ It’s Zero Waste Week and we’re challenging you to think twice before throwing something away.

Before you toss it, ask yourself:

Can I reuse it?
Can I repair it?
Can I donate it?
Can I recycle it?
Can I compost it?

Small choices can keep useful materials out of landfills and help reduce the amount of waste we create every day.

This Zero Waste Week, challenge yourself to give something a second life. 🌎

09/04/2026

Today, we’re celebrating the species that call the Garden State home and the habitats that support them!

Protecting these places is essential to maintaining New Jersey’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.

Learn more about New Jersey’s wildlife and conservation efforts through New Jersey Fish & Wildlife.

Learn more about the important work done by on their website at: dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildlife/mission-and-work/

📸Pictured is the native Bog Turtle, photo courtesy of Brian Zarate

09/04/2026

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s investigation into the former Keyport Landfill continues, with soil-gas and groundwater samples collected in Keyport and Union Beach to determine whether contamination has spread from the landfill and poses a health risk to residents.

Join the Department of Environmental Protection at Keyport High School on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5:30 p.m. for a community meeting to hear the latest updates on the ongoing investigation.

🔗 Learn more: dep.nj.gov/keyportlandfill/