Category: Advocacy Opportunities
WHEN: September 19, 2026, from 6:00-10:00 P.M.
WHERE: Highlawn Pavilion, West Orange, NJ (Rain or Shine)
Join us for an evening under the stars as we celebrate the people and organizations behind New Jersey’s Nature Accessible for All initiative.
We’re building a movement of people and organizations committed to making parks and natural areas accessible for people with disabilities and mobility challenges. Launched in 2021 by the Pinelands Alliance, this initiative is now a statewide initiative supported by nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
Learn more about Nature Accessible for All during a very special evening at the Highlawn Pavilion and join the movement.
We are excited to announce that Broadway and television star Ali Stroker will give a special performance during the event. Stroker made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway in Deaf West’s 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. Stroker won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as ‘Ado Annie’ in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Her mission to improve the lives of others through the arts, disabled or not, is captured in her motto: “Turning Your Limitations into Your Opportunities.”
The evening will feature gourmet hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, entrée stations, fine wine, craft beer, and then a dessert and coffee bar following the awards ceremony. Enjoy lively conversation and inspiration as we work together to make nature more accessible for all people!
Cocktail Attire requested.
The event will be held in a tented venue that is wheelchair accessible. For questions, contact Sean Kane-Holland at sean@pinelandsalliance.org or by phone at (609) 859-8860 ext. 117
Make a Donation
Funds raised from this event benefit Nature Accessible for All, a collaboration of people and organizations determined to improve access to nature for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. If you can’t attend please consider making a donation.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Join the movement to make parks and nature areas in New Jersey accessible to people with disabilities and movement challenges. Become a sponsor and celebrate the people and organizations working to improve nature access in New Jersey!
You can download the Sponsorship form here.
Thank You to our Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Children’s Specialized Hospital
Food & Beverage
Friends
Parnter’s for Health Foundation
Thank you to our Nature: Accessible for All partners! The entire list of partners can be found on our website.
The General Assembly Needs to Hear From You Now – Pass Bill A5321!
The New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC) existence is entirely on the line. We are in the very final hours of state budget negotiations in Trenton the School of Conservation is calling all nature advocates to call and ask the General Assembly to pass bill A5321. This bill is critical for the restoration of their campus, to serve and educate the thousands of students and teachers that visit NJSOC annually.
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and the General Assembly need to hear from you RIGHT NOW! Please call the General Assembly’s office at 609-847-3500, and ask them to pass bill A5321 in tonight’s vote.
Thank you for you continued support, standing up for our kids, our environment, and our future.
Check out the Bill – NJ Legislature
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has is seeking to spread the word about the FY27 Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
The draft FY2027 PA TIP–the Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program–which was recently released by the DVRPC, includes the highest amount of funds programmed toward the Circuit and Circuit adjacent projects that will connect to the network. This investment is funded with a mix of local and federal funds, including CRP/CRPU, and CMAQ, which has been a primary funding source for trails over the years. When it is adopted, a record number of Circuit Trails Coalition Priority Projects in each of the five Pennsylvania counties in the Circuit Trails footprint will be funded.
- We’re thrilled to see the draft FY2027 Transportation Improvement Program for Pennsylvania includes a record number of priority projects across the Circuit Trails network and the highest amount of funds programmed toward the Circuit Trails and adjacent 🚲👟projects. To help get all the @thecircuittrails proposed projects included in the final Transportation Improvement Program, go to circuittrails.org/get-involved/ to send a letter of support.
- Making it safer and easier to walk and bike in the Greater Philadelphia region is closer to becoming a reality, thanks to the inclusion of @thecircuittrails projects in the draft Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program. To help ensure the proposed projects are included in the final Transportation Improvement Program, go to circuittrails.org/get-involved/ to send a letter of support.
- Act now: Help ensure @thecircuittrails are prioritized in the Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program. Go to circuittrails.org/get-involved/ to send a letter of support.
- The draft FY2027 PA Transportation Improvement Program includes the highest amount of funds programmed toward 👟🚲projects adjacent to and #OnTheCircuit. To help get all the @thecircuittrails proposed projects included in the final plan, go to circuittrails.org/get-involved/ to send a letter of support.
- Act now to help move forward the Circuit Trails network! Let @DVRPC know you want them to prioritize projects #OnTheCircuit by including them in PA’s Transportation Improvement Program.
- Speak out to fund more trails! Circuit Trails projects were included in the draft Transportation Improvement Program, which could mean major funding for trail projects #OnTheCircuit. Send a letter to show support for trails in our region: circuittrails.org/get-involved/
Individuals and organizations will have an opportunity to register public comments with DVRPC through 5 p.m. June 22.
Link to take action – Here
Age-Friendly Ocean County is proud to launch its inaugural Multisector Plan for Aging, which identifies evidence-based strategies and best practices to strengthen community supports for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers, enabling residents to age in place with safety, dignity, and independence.
Join them for this inaugural event either in-person or virtually.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 ~ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Ocean County Library Mancini Hall
101 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
Registration is required. RSVP by Thursday, June 18, 2026
Use this link to register – Age-Friendly Ocean County Launch
For questions, please call 732-349-1247
For more information on Age-Friendly Ocean County visit – Age-Friendly Ocean County – Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County
In May, Congress took some progressive strides when the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved the BUILD America 250 Act.
However, this bill makes it harder for places to build out the connected active-transportation infrastructure Americans want and need.
This initial bill helps land management organizations understand how to plan advocacy efforts in the coming months.
The Rails to Trails Conservancy has produced a summary of what’s in the bill and what’s not:
• IN: Transportation Alternatives (TA) remains as a 10% set-aside of the surface transportation block grant, growing slowly to about $1.66 billion annually; also, new eligibilities for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) allow funds to be used as a local match, but the bill makes it easier for states to transfer funds out of the program.
• IN: Recreational Trails Program (RTP) persists at $84 million despite the huge delta compared with the $281 million in gas tax receipts paid into the Highway Trust Fund by off-road motorized trail users.
• OUT: Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) is repealed, which creates challenges for communities across the United States pursuing large-scale active transportation networks.
• IN: Safe Streets and Roads for All ramps up at an average per year of $750 million.
• NEW: Surface Transportation Accelerator Grants, a complementary program to BUILD that includes a collection of previously stand-alone discretionary grant programs, is included at $2.4 billion annually and focuses on connectivity across modes of travel, safety and the economy.
These programs are necessary to provide the safe, connected networks that allow people to walk, bike and roll to the places they need to go. You can find RTC’s in-depth analysis of the bill on their website.
Final Days to Share Your Input!
Disability Rights NJ has released a public notice for a Public Input Survey. Tell them What Disability-Related Issues Are Most Important To You and Your Family? This input will guide their 2027 Priority Setting Initiative and issues that matter most to you are reflected in their goals and objectives.
Deadline Extended!!
Surveys will be accepted until Thursday, June 18, 2026.
On average, the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
You can download a PDF version – Survey PDF and send it to their office at 210 South Broad Street, Third Floor, Trenton NJ 08608.