About the Alliance: About Alliance

About ANJEE

In the spring of 1985, 25 state-wide environmental educators gathered in Bernardsville, New Jersey with a common goal borne out of a love for the natural beauty of the Garden State. These 25 pioneers, committed to using environmental education as an instrument for change, formed the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE).

A privately supported, non-profit organization ANJEE's members range from teachers of New Jersey's school districts, professors and administrators in universities and colleges, environmentalists in museums, zoos, and nature centers, to professionals of governmental agencies and corporate settings. Although their professions in the environmental and other fields are varied their chief reason for membership in the Alliance is to network with others who care about developing and conserving New Jersey's natural habitat and resources.

In 1988, the Alliance partnered with New Jersey's Department of Education and Environmental Protection to initiate the Commission on Environmental Education. The Commission produced the state's"Plan of Action" which provides the overall framework to protect and improve New Jersey's environment. The Alliance's diligent and proactive efforts during the eight intervening years played a pivotal role in keeping the plan alive until January, 1996 when Governor Christine Todd Whitman signed the Environmental education Act.

Today, as in 1985, the Alliance furnishes a structure for its membership to build and create new venues for New Jersey's citizens and students to become better aquainted with the environment. To strengthen the Alliance's leadership, and promote professional growth among its members, the Alliance offers professional development opportunities through annual conferences, annual retreats and regional workshops.A newsletter published quarterly maintains connections between members. This web-site was created in January 2002 to connect the Alliance to its members and the world.

The Alliance's Strategic Plan ratified in 1998 and updated in 2002, formulates the organizational goals for the present and the future. Recognizing a need to build an organization representative of the state's ethnically-diverse population, the Alliance actively pursues members that represent New Jersey's different cultures. This provides the Alliance with untapped resources, cultural insights and first-hand knowledge of specific educational and environmental needs which assists the organization to better serve these diverse groups.

The Alliance also reaches out into the community to form partnerships with organizations with similar missions. Many of these partnerships are inherent to the Alliance such as academic partnerships with various school organizations which already promotes the effectiveness of the organization. The annual Conference, co-sponsored by Rider University, is one example.

Other coalitions enhanced through the Alliance's official status,assist groups in pursuing their goals without the encumberment of creating a new not-for-profit structure. Under the Alliance's umbrella groups may apply for grants and appeal for funds.

The Alliance has a history of accomplishment, and as the organization moves forward, the needs and options are many. The Alliance's success has been due to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers,who contribute their time, energy and funds to fulfill the organization's mission. In this new millennium, the Alliance is embarking on anew commitment to strengthen and expand its programs, and in 1999 created an Endowment Fund to amass funds to hire a full-time executive director to direct its activities.


		Promoting and Improving Environmental Education for people of all ages in New Jersey


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Home Members About Us About Us Alliance Song Regions North Central South Affiliates Schoolyard NJNREC WPNJ Membership Conference Calendar Press/Media Press/Media Getting the Word Out Teachers Students Links Awards		About ANJEE In the spring of 1985, 25 state-wide environmental educators gathered in Bernardsville, New Jersey with a common goal borne out of a love for the natural beauty of the Garden State. These 25 pioneers, committed to using environmental education as an instrument for change, formed the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE). A privately supported, non-profit organization ANJEE's members range from teachers of New Jersey's school districts, professors and administrators in universities and colleges, environmentalists in museums, zoos, and nature centers, to professionals of governmental agencies and corporate settings. Although their professions in the environmental and other fields are varied their chief reason for membership in the Alliance is to network with others who care about developing and conserving New Jersey's natural habitat and resources. In 1988, the Alliance partnered with New Jersey's Department of Education and Environmental Protection to initiate the Commission on Environmental Education. The Commission produced the state's"Plan of Action" which provides the overall framework to protect and improve New Jersey's environment. The Alliance's diligent and proactive efforts during the eight intervening years played a pivotal role in keeping the plan alive until January, 1996 when Governor Christine Todd Whitman signed the Environmental education Act. Today, as in 1985, the Alliance furnishes a structure for its membership to build and create new venues for New Jersey's citizens and students to become better aquainted with the environment. To strengthen the Alliance's leadership, and promote professional growth among its members, the Alliance offers professional development opportunities through annual conferences, annual retreats and regional workshops.A newsletter published quarterly maintains connections between members. This web-site was created in January 2002 to connect the Alliance to its members and the world. The Alliance's Strategic Plan ratified in 1998 and updated in 2002, formulates the organizational goals for the present and the future. Recognizing a need to build an organization representative of the state's ethnically-diverse population, the Alliance actively pursues members that represent New Jersey's different cultures. This provides the Alliance with untapped resources, cultural insights and first-hand knowledge of specific educational and environmental needs which assists the organization to better serve these diverse groups. The Alliance also reaches out into the community to form partnerships with organizations with similar missions. Many of these partnerships are inherent to the Alliance such as academic partnerships with various school organizations which already promotes the effectiveness of the organization. The annual Conference, co-sponsored by Rider University, is one example. Other coalitions enhanced through the Alliance's official status,assist groups in pursuing their goals without the encumberment of creating a new not-for-profit structure. Under the Alliance's umbrella groups may apply for grants and appeal for funds. The Alliance has a history of accomplishment, and as the organization moves forward, the needs and options are many. The Alliance's success has been due to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers,who contribute their time, energy and funds to fulfill the organization's mission. In this new millennium, the Alliance is embarking on anew commitment to strengthen and expand its programs, and in 1999 created an Endowment Fund to amass funds to hire a full-time executive director to direct its activities.