How to Join, Donate, or Get Involved with the New Jersey Forestry Association

Updated

You can support the New Jersey Forestry Association (NJFA) in three main ways: become a member, donate, or take part in its programs and events. Membership is open to anyone who values New Jersey's forests, whether or not you own woodland. The NJFA is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under IRS 501(c)(3), founded in 1975, and describes itself as the only statewide organization supporting the sustainability and resiliency of New Jersey's public and private forests through forestry education and science-based forest management.

Joining the NJFA

Membership is not limited to landowners. The NJFA explicitly welcomes woodland owners, conservationists, and others interested in maintaining New Jersey's forests, and its board, officers, and committee members include forest landowners, forest professionals, educators, and scientists.

If you value New Jersey's forests and want to support the organization's efforts, the NJFA invites you to join, participate in activities and programs, or donate — or all three.

Donating

The NJFA accepts donations and lists PayPal among its payment platforms. Donations support the organization's advocacy, education, and forest management work. If you want to give without becoming a member, donating is a standalone option.

Getting Involved Through Programs and Events

The NJFA hosts several programs and engagement channels. Based on the organization's own description, these include:

Program / Channel What it involves
Backyard Forestry in 90 Minutes Webinar series
Walk-in-the-Woods Organized woodland walks
Tree Planting Planting activities
NJ Woodland Stewards Stewardship program
Annual Meeting Yearly gathering and membership information
Member Newsletters Updates for members
Legislative and regulatory tracking Monitoring and input on laws and rulemaking affecting NJ forests and woodland owners

The NJFA also collaborates with conservation and outdoor organizations, governmental units, and educational institutions, and works jointly with public and private conservation groups.

Advocacy Work You Can Support

Part of what membership and donations fund is the NJFA's advocacy role. The organization tracks, monitors, and provides input on legislation and rulemaking affecting New Jersey's forests and woodland owners. It is named, through legislation and rulemaking, to several committees involved in forestry, stewardship, and taxation, and served as one of the four co-chairs of the NJ Forest Task Force. It is also a resource for legislators, agencies, and other non-profits seeking comments on legislation and activities affecting NJ's forests.

One example of this work: at the State Farmland Evaluation Committee's annual meeting in Trenton on August 12, 2026, which sets farmland assessment values, NJFA Vice President Richard Kelsky and Treasurer Steven Spencer attended in person, with other NJFA directors joining online via Teams. Kelsky addressed the committee regarding minimum gross revenue for woodlands. The committee also discussed a new online filing portal tested in four counties in 2026, forester-assisted filing, and data security.

Which Option Fits You

  • If you own woodland and want a voice in policy affecting it: membership plus participation in legislative/regulatory updates.
  • If you don't own land but value NJ forests: membership is still open to you, and donating is a direct way to contribute.
  • If you want hands-on involvement: look at Walk-in-the-Woods, Tree Planting, or the NJ Woodland Stewards program.
  • If you want to learn first: the Backyard Forestry in 90 Minutes webinars are a low-commitment entry point.
  • If you only want to give financial support: donate via PayPal without joining.

For current membership rates, event schedules, and sign-up links, go directly to njforestry.org, since specific pricing and registration details are not listed in the available site information.