Brooke’s Review: ANJEC Congress OCT. 2025

The ANJEC Congress is the annual statewide conference of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC). It is an educational gathering for environmental commissioners, local officials, and other environmental groups to attend workshops, hear from speakers, and learn about topics like stormwater management, local ordinances, and conservation. The event serves to support the mission of protecting New Jersey's natural resources through education and information sharing. 

My experience with ANJEC was not a schedule of lectures; it was an engaging selection of presentations given by an environmentally ecstatic community of people. It was inspiring to listen to all of the new initiatives and ordinances spreading around New Jersey, such as Skip the Stuff (customers ask for takeout utensils), Extended Producer Responsibility (reducing packaging and funding recycling centers), renewable energy bills, and much more.

Success stories in New Jersey were presented, detailing responsible lighting ordinances to reduce light pollution and native planting gardens in Lambertville. The speakers made me care deeply about each topic. For instance, did you know light pollution disrupts insect mating and pollination of crops, detrimentally harms trees and animals, and costs $3.3 billion in wasted electricity? I also learned about Lambertville’s initiatives, which can be implemented in Livingston’s own native planting program that will be launching soon.

I attended with fellow student members Jacob Glazer and Kiran Adams, Livingston Town Councilman Al Anthony, and LivGreen Chair Ali Barmas. A keynote speech was given by Shawn LaTourette, the NJ DEP Commissioner and we had the opportunity to speak with him directly to share our thoughts and experiences about the environmental issues we care about.

However, I think what I took most out of the experience was the sentiment that we are not alone in our fight to improve the world. There are community members everywhere with great accomplishments who are willing to help new initiatives. This world can feel very isolated and unappreciative, but it’s places like ANJEC that can reunite us for common goals and belonging.