{"id":226372,"date":"2025-05-29T18:14:31","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T22:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=226372"},"modified":"2025-07-15T09:58:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T13:58:13","slug":"montclair-state-university-mobilizes-green-teams-for-environmental-solutions-and-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2025\/05\/29\/montclair-state-university-mobilizes-green-teams-for-environmental-solutions-and-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Montclair State University Mobilizes Green Teams for Environmental Solutions and Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This summer, college students from universities across the country are tackling pressing environmental and climate challenges at Montclair State University as part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/pseg-sustainability-institute\/\">PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies<\/a>\u2019 annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/pseg-sustainability-institute\/green-teams\/\">Green Teams<\/a> program. Their projects focus on critical issues such as regenerative agriculture, urban flood mitigation in Paterson, tree canopy equity in Montclair, corporate sustainability and inclusive workforce training for adults with autism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cToday marks a milestone \u2013 a decade of collaboration, innovation and student-driven sustainability solutions,\u201d said Amy Tuininga, director of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, as she welcomed the new Green Teams cohort May 28 at the program\u2019s 10th anniversary launch event.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Since its inception, Montclair\u2019s Green Teams program has grown into a powerful model of experiential learning and real-world problem solving. Hundreds of impactful deliverables have supported sustainable solutions for municipalities, nonprofits and corporations across New Jersey and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>10 Years of Purpose-Driven Progress<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This year\u2019s Green Teams cohort includes 50 interns from 33 universities, 36 degree programs and 16 states \u2013 a reflection of the program\u2019s growing impact. United by purpose, these students are applying their knowledge and skills to 10 projects that address urgent environmental challenges, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Soil health and regenerative agriculture with drone and robotic tools (Foodshed Alliance)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Flood risk mapping and GIS-based tools in Paterson (The Nature Conservancy)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Urban greening and microforest creation in Bloomfield, Montclair and Newark<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Climate-smart infrastructure development with NJ Natural Gas, Eisai and the Port Authority of NY &amp; NJ<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inclusive workforce technology, including XR job training for adults with autism (Green Do Good)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Schoolyard restoration and food forest planning at Hazel Avenue School in West Orange<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Celebrating Long-Term Partnerships and Impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSome of our partners are long-time collaborators, while others are new to the Green Team family. Each one plays a vital role in shaping a more sustainable, equitable future,\u201d said Tuininga.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell praised the Green Teams program as a shining example of innovation and hope. In a world full of challenges, the program reminds us that solutions are not only possible \u2013 they\u2019re happening right now, he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dominique Lueckenhoff, executive vice president for Corporate Affairs, Environment, Health and Sustainability at Hugo Neu Corporation and keynote speaker, drew on her experience in government and private sector to urge long-term thinking and purposeful action.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She called for a \u201cresilience revolution\u201d to transform markets, infrastructure and communities \u2013 reminding us that sustainability means reimagining the systems we rely on, not merely reacting to crises.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWe stand at a crossroads. Choices we make today about our securities, markets, infrastructure and communities will shape generations to come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_226388\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/05\/DSC_7352.jpeg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/05\/DSC_7352.jpeg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Amy Tuininga, director of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, stands at a podium speaking at the 10th Anniversary Gala and Launch Event. Two Green Team interns stand nearby as she introduces the 2025 cohort.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amy Tuininga, left, director of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, introduces this summer\u2019s Green Teams at the 10th Anniversary Gala and Launch Event. The 50 interns represent diverse academic backgrounds and are ready to tackle today\u2019s pressing sustainability challenges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>2025 Green Team Projects at a Glance<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sustainable Land &amp; Agriculture<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foodshedalliance.org\/\">Foodshed Alliance<\/a> and its <a href=\"https:\/\/foodshedalliance.org\/programs\/sage\/\">Sustainable Agriculture Enterprise<\/a>: Drone and soil data for regenerative agriculture<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.woboe.org\/hazel\">Hazel Avenue School<\/a>: Food forest planning and flood analysis<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Urban Greening &amp; Resilience<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenerbloomfield.org\/\">Greener Bloomfield<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclairnjusa.org\/Government\/Departments\/Community-ServicesPublic-Works\/Arborist-Shade-Trees\">Montclair Township<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newarknj.gov\/departments\/sustainability\">City of Newark Office of Sustainability<\/a>: Microforests, tree mapping, green infrastructure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Water &amp; Emissions Management<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.panynj.gov\/port-authority\/en\/index.html\">Port Authority of NY &amp; NJ<\/a>: Water audits and drought strategies<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eisai.com\/index.html\">Eisai<\/a>: Scope 3 emissions tracking<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.njng.com\/\">NJ Natural Gas<\/a>: CO\u2082 reuse feasibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Climate Adaptation &amp; Risk<\/strong><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.org\/en-us\/about-us\/where-we-work\/united-states\/new-jersey\/\">The Nature Conservancy<\/a> (Paterson): Flood mitigation and GIS risk mapping<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inclusive Tech &amp; Workforce Innovation<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/greensdogood.com\/\">Green Do Good<\/a>: Virtual-reality modules for autism-inclusive training<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Green Teams program is funded through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/pseg-sustainability-institute\/sponsors\/\">generous support<\/a> of the PSEG Foundation, the National Science Foundation, USDA and NASA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong data-start=\"65\" data-end=\"105\">Discover Where Science Meets Purpose<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"65\" data-end=\"320\">At Montclair State University, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/pseg-sustainability-institute\/\">PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/csam\/\">College of Science and Mathematics<\/a> advance real-world environmental solutions through research, innovation and collaboration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"322\" data-end=\"393\"><strong data-start=\"322\" data-end=\"336\">Learn more<\/strong> about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/pseg-sustainability-institute\/green-teams\/\">Green Teams program<\/a> and how to get involved.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"488\"><strong data-start=\"395\" data-end=\"411\">Journalists:<\/strong> Contact our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/contact-media-relations\/\">Media Relations<\/a> team to request assets or schedule an interview.<\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/\/ Output tags as a list for Google Analytics custom dimension\nwindow.MSU_TagList = [];\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In its 10th anniversary year, the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies engages students in impactful environmental projects across New Jersey including corporate sustainability, flood mitigation, urban greening and regenerative agriculture  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":434,"featured_media":226371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[578,123,8,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-226372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-donors","category-homepage-news","category-science-and-technology","category-university"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226372","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/434"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=226372"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226372\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":226407,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226372\/revisions\/226407"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/226371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=226372"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=226372"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=226372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}