State News Archives - Nature: Accessible for All

Last Tuesday, May 5th our partners over at Ocean Positive headed way inland to join 18 members of the NJ School of Conservation team for an inspiring training session talking about safe, inclusive outdoor recreation that builds communities and inspires others to care about the places we love from the ocean to the mountains.
This was done in conjunction with Pinelands Alliance’s – Nature Accessible for All campaign.

Ocean Positive was on the campus of NJ SOC for a Safe & Positive for All training — and what was supposed to be a 90-minute session turned into a genuine conversation about what it means to ensure that everyone who immerses themselves in nature can have a lifetime of safe and positive experiences.

What happens when you put 18 outdoor educators in a room and ask them to think about who might not feel safe or welcome in the spaces they steward? The staff at NJSOC, soon found out.
Educators. Field staff. People who spend their lives helping others connect with the natural world. They shared their inspiration and insight that makes this work matter.
By training the trainers, these best practices don’t stop with the 18 people in that room. They have the potential to reach the nearly 4,000 people who visit NJSOC each year for programs and field experiences — many of whom may be living with spinal cord injuries, movement and sensory limitations, or neurological differences that standard wilderness safety training too often overlooks.

The NJSOC team doesn’t just teach conservation — they live it. Making sure their programs are accessible and empowering for everyone is a natural extension of that mission.
Grateful to Kerry, Tanya, and the entire NJSOC team for having us. Nature is for everyone. Making that true in practice — not just in principle — takes training, intention, and teams like this one.

Out N’ About is a group recreation program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each month, ONA brings adults together through social events, creative programs, and community outings that spark connection and create something to look forward to.

Registration for June 2026 Events Closes Wednesday, May 20th

Registration – Out N’ About (ONA) | Group Recreation for Adults with Disabilities

Greetings,

This update is from the desk of Clarke King, National Federation of the Blind of NJ Legislative Director

NFB is asking New Jersey residents to take immediate action to support Assembly Bill A3578 by contacting members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Timely outreach is critical to ensure this legislation advances. View the bill here: NJ A3578 | 2026-2027

Why Support A3578

• A3578 supports Electronic Ballot Return (EBR), enabling blind voters to use screen readers to access and return ballots independently.

• Ensures voters who are blind can cast their ballots privately and independently, without relying on assistance from others.

• Addresses barriers that limit full and equal participation for individuals with disabilities.

• Strengthens legal protections and promotes accountability in areas directly impacting access, independence, and civil rights.

Sample Email

Subject: Please Support A3578

Dear Assembly member,

I am writing to respectfully urge your support for Assembly Bill A3578.

A3578 supports Electronic Ballot Return (EBR), allowing blind voters to independently and privately complete and return their ballots using screen reader technology. This ensures equal access to voting while preserving voter privacy and independence.

I respectfully ask that you vote YES on A3578 when it comes before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

Phone Script

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am calling to support Assembly Bill A3578. This bill allows blind voters to cast their ballots privately and independently using screen readers via Electronic Ballot Return. I respectfully ask that the Assemblymember vote YES on Bill A3578 in the Judiciary Committee. Thank you.

Assembly Judiciary Committee Contacts

Rep. Louis Greenwald (D) Phone: 856-435-1247 Email: AsmGreenwald@njleg.org

Rep. Anthony Verrelli (D) Phone: 609-292-0500 Email: AsmVerrelli@njleg.org

Rep. Ellen Park (D) Phone: 201-308-7062 Email: AswPark@njleg.org

Rep. Sterley Stanley (D) Phone: 732-875-3833 Email: AsmStanley@njleg.org

Rep. Carol Murphy (D) Phone: 856-242-2018 Email: AswMurphy@njleg.org

Rep. Roy Freiman (D) Phone: 908-829-4191 Email: AsmFreiman@njleg.org

Your outreach matters. Legislators rely on hearing directly from constituents and NJ residents when considering legislation. Please take a moment today to call or email your Assembly representatives and urge them to support Bill A3578. Together, we can advance policies that promote equality, independence, and opportunity for all.

For resident veterans of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States declared by the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to have a service-connected disability of any degree qualify for the free hunting and fishing licenses, permits and stamps. The New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife is reimbursed for the cost of these items issued to certified disabled veterans from the state’s General Fund.

Eligible veterans must initially be certified by Fish and Wildlife to receive these free licenses, permits and stamps.

For those interested in learning more can visit this link – NJDEP| Fish & Wildlife | Disabled Veteran License Information

Since the beginning of 2023 Pinelands Alliance’s Nature Accessible for All has made it part of our mission to offer inclusive nature programming. These educational programs include the use of all-terrain wheelchairs for events ranging from Pinelands 101 – Native Plant and Wildlife, Local History, and Birding programs.

David Matthau reporter for WHYY sat down with Sean Kane Holland, Access Nature Disability Advocate with Pinelands Alliance and past participants to learn more about these fantastic programs for the entire family.

Read the full story here – Birding events for those with reduced mobility – WHYY

Join the Eastcoast Greenway in a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create safer, more connected infrastructure for the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey region.

With the Delaware River Bridge connecting Florence, New Jersey, and Bristol, Pennsylvania, being replaced, they are calling for the new bridge to include a much-needed shared use path to allow active transportation access across the bridge. Getting from Bristol to Florence without a car currently requires a 26-mile detour–with the shared-use path, that would be cut to just two miles.

Led by their partners Freewalkers, a group will rally and march in Bristol on Saturday, May 2 for the shared use path. Join for a rally and two mile advocacy walk in Bristol, or go the distance and make the 26-mile trek highlighting the gap in access created by the lack of a shared use path. There will be options to return via transit along the way.

Length options: Two miles or 26-miles, with options to customize by returning on transit.