Field Trips and Classroom Programs for Students Available

TEACHERS: Pequest Natural Resource Education Center is now accepting group reservations for 2026 field trips and classroom programs.

Fish and Wildlife offers year-round programming for schools and organized groups at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center. All programs are designed to support most major subject areas in grades pre-K – 12 while teaching about wildlife and the environment, and can be used to meet state standards for core course proficiencies as well as scout badge requirements.

For example, hikes focus on wildlife habitat and natural resources, sessions on river ecology, fishing, biology. From a hatchery tour to fishing basics or exploring trout habitat along the Pequest River, there might be a field trip that fits your grade level and curriculum.

All programs are geared to be fun, hands-on learning experiences that participants are sure to enjoy.

Bring your students, scouts, or homeschool groups to the trout hatchery and education center for a field trip they'll never forget! Learn how trout are raised on a hatchery tour, explore the Pequest River, or have your students learn to fish. 

Get information and schedule your field trip to Pequest at dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/freshwater/group-programs-at-pequest/ 

Can't manage a field trip to Pequest? NJ Fish & Wildlife also offers classroom programs. Looking for an engaging classroom presentation? NJDEP Fish & Wildlife offers those too!

Have your students learn about wildlife, conservation, and more! 

Educators are available for in-classroom and public presentations, community fairs and festivals. Fish & Wildlife staff can conduct presentations live at your facility on request. There is no charge for this service, and hands-on activities can be included with the presentations. Programs can all be adapted to grade-level and specific interests. All programs run from 45 to 90 minutes. Please note groups may only schedule one to two programs per year.

Check out the list of programs offered and request a presentation today.

dep.nj.gov/njfw/education/speakers-and-exhibitors/

Horseshoe Crab Workshop for Teachers

 

Horseshoe crab migration during mating season in Southern New Jersey

During the full and new moon events in May and June, thousands of horseshoe crabs come ashore to spawn, primarily in Delaware Bay. It is also during this time when migrating shorebirds descend upon the beaches to rest and feed on the horseshoe crab eggs before continuing onto their breeding grounds. This interaction between horseshoe crab, shorebird and humans makes it a perfect time for the latest edition of the Seussically-named Green Eggs & Sand (GE&S) workshop.

Green Eggs and Sand

May 3-4, 2025 Educator Workshop

at The Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor, NJ

Registration Flyer 

The GE&S workshop focuses on promoting understanding of the issues, the science, and the management of the horseshoe crab/shorebird controversy. Workshop participants learn from top researchers and natural managers in the field, as well as get to visit a horseshoe crab spawning beach.

Educators and natural resource managers from Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey developed the curriculum and designed it for use with middle and high school students. It is broken down into four modules that introduce students to the lives of horseshoe crabs, their extraordinary history, ecological niche, interrelationships with other species, and the challenges of managing horseshoe crabs.

Youth Inclusion Program

 

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection launched this summer its third annual Youth Inclusion Initiative summer program. The goal is to engage young people from overburdened communities that have disproportionately less open space by providing hands-on training and exposure to career opportunities within the environmental field.

Launched in Summer 2021, the program advances key elements of the Council on the Green Economy, which serves to develop a blueprint for expanding the green economy and building a diverse, inclusive workforce to support Governor Murphy’s clean energy and climate goals.

The DEP is partnering with five community-based organizations to provide participants ages 16 to 20 an opportunity to explore various careers within the environmental field by learning from DEP professionals in nearly all department programs such as water and air monitoring, natural resource management, and wildlife conservation. 

This year’s partner organizations are Neighborhood Improvement Association (Trenton), Rutgers-Camden, Groundwork Elizabeth, Ironbound Community Corporation (Newark) and The Work Group (Camden). The program will include 47 participants and runs from July 6 to August 16.

“The DEP is thrilled to launch its third year of the Youth Inclusion Initiative program that will advance the Murphy Administration’s goal of building a more diverse and inclusive green workforce,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “My DEP colleagues and I thank our community-based partners, who worked to recruit participants from areas that have disproportionately less open space. Our DEP professionals are eager to work with these young people, providing invaluable lessons and insights on protecting public health and the environment in some of the state’s wonderful outdoor settings.”

The program’s partner organizations, formally called Community Host Organizations, will support participants throughout and after the conclusion of the program by identifying next steps for furthering education, obtaining credentials and other actions to promote their growth.

This year, the Youth Inclusion Initiative was expanded to include professional development days, which will incorporate resume and cover letter writing sessions and presentations from guest speakers. Many of the guest speakers selected for the professional development days were awarded apprenticeship grants from the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development for creating opportunities for those from underserved communities through career pathways that support sustainable green jobs.

For more information about the 2023 Youth Inclusion Initiative,
visit dep.nj.gov/yii/

Environmental Education Employment Opportunity at Pequest

The Pequest Natural Resource Education Center in Oxford, NJ is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and self-motivated seasonal environmental educator to join our staff in teaching science and outdoor education programs, such as facility tours, guided hikes and fishing education programs. Educators will also assist in other facility work as necessary such as grounds and trails maintenance. Fishing experience is preferred.

We are looking for applicants with a Bachelor's degree in education, natural resources, natural sciences, natural history, outdoor recreation, or related fields, or who are working towards a degree in one of these fields. Excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic, and enthusiasm for teaching children are essential.

The teaching season runs from April – October with programs taught Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Some weekend days are required. Applicants who cannot work during this time frame will not be considered.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Program Director, Jessica Griglak, at Jessica.Griglak@dep.nj.gov.

Deadline to apply: February 14, 2020