For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
NJ Sierra Club Appreciation Celebration 2024:
Honoring Environmental Achievement of NJDEP Commissioner LaTourette, State Legislative Environmental Champions, & NJ Sierra Club Volunteer Leaders
JERSEY CITY, NJ -- Last night, the New Jersey Sierra Club hosted their 2024 Appreciation Celebration at Liberty State Park, honoring exceptional New Jersey environmental governmental and grassroots volunteer leaders across the state.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner Shawn LaTourette received National Sierra Club's Environmental Achievement Award, which honors persons in public service for a particular action of singular importance to the environment or environmental justice due to his outstanding efforts in protecting and preserving Liberty State Park. Ben Jealous, Sierra Club Executive Director and NJ Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way presented the award to the Commissioner.
Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said, “New Jersey continues to set a powerful example for the rest of the nation when it comes to holding polluters accountable, pushing advances in clean energy and clean transportation, and protecting public lands and access to nature. That is in large part thanks to Sierra Club’s Environmental Achievement Award honoree NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette and this year’s Environmental Champion Award recipients Senator Bob Smith and Senator Raj Mukherji. And it is also due to the tireless work of Sierra Club’s New Jersey Chapter. The work of these leaders, along with grassroots activists across the Garden State, is improving health outcomes for New Jersey communities. And it is helping to ensure America’s clean energy future, which we know is not only necessary for a livable planet but is vital for creating American jobs and prosperity for working families.”
In his time as Commissioner, LaTourette faced organized opposition funded by private interest groups who sought to privatize and commercialize Liberty State Park, turning it into a sports and entertainment complex. The Commissioner has spearheaded a robust stakeholder process centering the communities around Jersey City, hearing directly from the public on what they would like to see and experience from the Park and presenting the Department’s plans for restoration and revitalization measures that would make the Park more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
The revitalization program is a multiple-phase effort led by the DEP to clean up, restore, and enhance natural resources; improve and expand access to open space; increase public recreation offerings through the addition of athletics facilities; bring public arts, cultural, and community spaces into the park; improve transportation to and within the park; and build greater resilience to flooding and climate change through nature-based solutions.
“The New Jersey Sierra Club is so pleased to celebrate outstanding environmental leadership in the state, from legislative leaders like Senator Mukherji and Senator Smith championing innovative energy and environmental pieces of legislation, dedicated and strong volunteer leaders, to our very own NJDEP Commissioner LaTourette for his invaluable work to protect Liberty State Park,” said NJ Sierra Club Chapter Director, Anjuli Ramos- Busot. “Congratulations Commissioner LaTourette, for your achievements, and the New Jersey Sierra Club thanks you for your commitment to keeping our public trusts of state parks, lands, waters, and wildlife safe and prepared for the future.”
“I am deeply honored, humbled and grateful to receive the National Sierra Club’s Environmental Achievement Award, and wholeheartedly congratulate the volunteer and legislator awardees,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “Together with leaders like Senators Smith and Mukherji, and the determined advocates like the New Jersey Sierra Club volunteers, we are charting a new course for the future—with a stronger, more just environment at its center.”
Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Ben Jealous
The NJ Sierra Club also awarded two Environmental Champion Awards to NJ state senators, Senator Bob Smith and Senator Mukherji. Senator Smith is the chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and has been a champion of clean energy, emission reductions and fighting climate change for the state.
"I would like to thank the NJ Sierra Club for this recognition, as well as congratulate Commissioner LaTourette, my colleague Senator Mukherji, and all other award recipients for their work toward protecting our environment and transitioning toward a cleaner future," said Senator Bob Smith, Chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. "As we prepare for the possibility of an administration that is poised to reduce federal support for clean energy and threaten environmental progress, state and local efforts made possible by advocates like those at the Sierra Club will be all the more important to ensure New Jersey remains a leader in clean energy and that our citizens are guaranteed a safe, healthy environment."
Senator Bob Smith, Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Ben Jealous, Rich Isaac
Senator Mukherji has been a champion for protecting the environment, specifically Liberty State Park, which is in his district. He has also been a champion on calling for a ban of toxic artificial turf, which threatens not only our environment, but public health.
"As the planet burns and an administration that withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord returns to power, subnational actors and state environmental policy becomes even more important to environmental protection and conservation,” said Senator Raj Mukherji. “I am deeply humbled by this award from the Sierra Club and grateful for their vital and unwavering commitment to environmental protection and advocacy. I will always fight for sustainability and for our planet as if my children’s futures depend on it - because they do."
Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Senator Raj Mukherji, Rich Isaac, Ben Jealous
The New Jersey Sierra Club’s 13 regional Groups each had volunteer representatives in attendance, as well as the Committee Chairs of action-based issue-based committees. Bill Beren, the New Jersey Transportation Committee Chair and Chair of the Gateway Group, received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Kip Cherry, Conservation Chair of the Central Jersey Group and dedicated member of several issue committees received the Ken Johanson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ben Jealous, Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Bill Beren, Rich Isaac
“We are so pleased to award Bill Beren and Kip Cherry for their outstanding contributions to the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club and for their legacy in protecting New Jersey’s environment. Over the years, Bill has been an asset to our organization and has led others to engage in clean transportation advocacy, specifically for our electric school bus campaign. His leadership and technical knowledge has been a steadfast, green light for our transportation campaign that, thanks to him, continues to move full speed ahead. Bill has also been a tremendous Group Chair, dedicating his time to tabling at events, coordinating electric vehicle fairs, and building our network of local leaders in Essex County,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Furthermore, we are excited to recognize the lifetime achievement of Kip Cherry as a true-hearted and clear-eyed conservationist and activist. Nothing slips by Kip Cherry, and she has been on the ground at the grassroots level for countless local battles and community hearings over the years fighting for clean air, clean water, and protecting New Jersey’s precious open space. The New Jersey Chapter thanks both Bill and Kip for their dedication to the mission of the Sierra Club; we have been lucky to have them at our sides to fight for a brighter future for us all.”
“Congratulations to Bill Beren and Kip Cherry for their recognition as outstanding environmental volunteer leaders in New Jersey. As Chapter Chair, I have seen the countless hours put in, passion, and dedication in both of them to keep New Jersey safe and clean for future generations. It is because of volunteers like you that our Chapter continues to grow and push for the change we need,” said Rich Isaac, Chapter Chair of the New Jersey Sierra Club.
Ben Jealous, Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Kip Cherry, Wynn Johanson, RIch Isaac
There were over 50 attendees for a great evening of community and celebration of the work of the leaders and volunteers who make the New Jersey Sierra Club one of the most influential grassroots organizations in the state for environmental change. A livestream of the awards ceremony is available here.
###
About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.