What Programs and Events Does the New Jersey Forestry Association Offer?

Updated

The New Jersey Forestry Association (NJFA) runs four named programs — Backyard Forestry in 90 Minutes, Walk-in-the-Woods, Tree Planting, and NJ Woodland Stewards — plus an annual meeting, member newsletters, and ongoing legislative and regulatory tracking. It also publishes newsworthy items, webinar recordings, and video postings on its site. These offerings are aimed at woodland owners, conservationists, and anyone interested in New Jersey's forests, whether or not they own land.

Programs and Events at a Glance

Offering What it is Who it's for
Backyard Forestry in 90 Minutes Webinar series Anyone curious about forestry topics, including non-landowners
Walk-in-the-Woods Outdoor program People who want hands-on, in-forest experience
Tree Planting Volunteer/planting program Those wanting to contribute directly to forest health
NJ Woodland Stewards Stewardship program Woodland owners and stewards seeking deeper training
Annual Meeting Yearly gathering with membership information Members and prospective members
Member newsletters Regular written updates NJFA members

The site notes that newsworthy items, Backyard Forestry webinars, video postings, legislative/regulatory highlights, and Annual Meeting and membership information are all posted there, so the homepage doubles as a running feed of activities.

Education and Hands-On Programs

The NJFA describes its work as forestry education paired with science-based forest management. The four programs cover different levels of involvement:

  • Backyard Forestry in 90 Minutes — a webinar format, useful if you want to learn without traveling or committing a full day.
  • Walk-in-the-Woods — an in-person outdoor program, suited to seeing forest management practiced on the ground.
  • Tree Planting — a direct participation option for improving forest cover.
  • NJ Woodland Stewards — a stewardship-focused program, the natural next step for landowners who want to manage their woods more deliberately.

If you are deciding where to start: webinars and video postings are the lowest-commitment entry point; Walk-in-the-Woods and Tree Planting require showing up in person; NJ Woodland Stewards is the most structured.

Advocacy, Legislation, and Regulatory Work

Beyond events, the NJFA 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 four co-chairs of the NJ Forest Task Force.

One documented example: on August 12, 2026, the State Farmland Evaluation Committee held its annual meeting in Trenton to set 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, along with forester-assisted filing and data security.

This matters to woodland owners because farmland assessment values and filing procedures directly affect property tax treatment of forested land. Following the NJFA's legislative/regulatory highlights is a way to keep current on those changes.

Publications and Membership

The NJFA produces member newsletters and hosts an annual meeting. Membership information is posted on the site. The organization describes itself as the only statewide organization supporting the sustainability and resiliency of New Jersey's public and private forests, founded in 1975 and operating as a non-profit tax-exempt organization under IRS 501(c)(3).

Its volunteer board, officers, and committee members include forest landowners, forest professionals, educators, and scientists. It collaborates with conservation and outdoor organizations, governmental units, and educational institutions, and works jointly with public and private conservation groups.

How to Decide Whether to Get Involved

  • If you own woodland in New Jersey: the legislative/regulatory updates and NJ Woodland Stewards are the most directly relevant, since assessment rules and stewardship practices affect your land.
  • If you don't own land but value the forests: Backyard Forestry webinars, video postings, Tree Planting, and Walk-in-the-Woods let you participate without ownership.
  • If you want to support the work without attending events: the site welcomes joining, participating, or donating — or all three. PayPal appears as a payment option on the site.

The NJFA also positions itself as a resource for legislators, agencies, and other non-profits seeking comments on legislation and activities affecting New Jersey's forests, so its materials are useful for reference even if you never attend a program.