New Jersey Offers $30 Million to Help Communities Improve Nature and Fight Climate Change
Official: Murphy Administration Accepting Nominations for 26th Annual Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards (25/P038)
Reading: The $30 million in Natural Climate Solutions grants funds creation, restoration, and enhancement of climate-mitigation infrastructure (wetlands, forests, urban tree canopies), expanding climate policy implementation.
Organizations can apply for funding to create new green spaces or restore existing ones.
In clear language
New Jersey is giving away $30 million in grants to local governments and nonprofits to protect and restore natural areas like wetlands, forests, and trees in cities. These projects help fight climate change by protecting communities from flooding and improving air quality. Organizations can apply for funding to create new green spaces or restore existing ones.
How does this affect you?
Pick the type of resident or organization you most identify with — we'll generate a plain-language breakdown of what changes for you and what you can do about it.
Who does this affect?
- Local government agencies and municipalities looking to invest in environmental projects
- Nonprofit organizations focused on conservation and environmental protection
- Communities that want to add more trees and green spaces to their neighborhoods
- Residents in coastal areas who could benefit from wetland protection against storms and flooding
What can you do?
- Contact your local government or city hall to ask if they plan to apply for these grants for a project in your area
- Support or volunteer with local nonprofits that restore forests, wetlands, or plant trees in your community
- Advocate for your city to prioritize funding for urban tree planting and green space projects
Timeline
- 2025-07-30 (announcement date)
No New Jersey official has a verified action on this policy yet.
Related policies
- DEPApr 22, 2026New Jersey Awards $14.8 Million to Protect Coastal Communities from Flooding Through Nature-Based Solutions
New Jersey is giving out $14.8 million to help three coastal communities in Cape May, Cumberland, and Ocean counties protect themselves from flooding by restoring natural ecosystems like wetlands and marshes that act as natural barriers against storms. These projects use nature-based solutions instead of artificial structures to reduce flood damage. The funding was announced during Earth Week 2026.
- DEPApr 21, 2026New Jersey Expands Program to Help Communities Prepare for Flooding
New Jersey is expanding its Resilient NJ program by adding two new regions to help communities work together on flooding prevention and preparedness. The program brings multiple towns in the same area together to create regional plans that protect residents from floods. This expansion was announced during Earth Week as part of the state's commitment to addressing climate-related flooding threats.
- DEPMar 5, 2026New Jersey Gives Money to 22 Towns to Prevent Wildfires
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- DEPJan 16, 2026New Jersey's Plan to Build a 9-Mile Green Space to Fight Climate Change
New Jersey is creating a new 9-mile park and green corridor across Essex and Hudson Counties to help protect communities from climate impacts like flooding and extreme weather. This project is part of the state's broader effort to build climate resilience by protecting homes, infrastructure, and natural resources. The state released this plan as part of its annual update on how different government agencies are working together on climate protection.