Connecting Our Community Through Education, Sustainability, and Access to Essential Resources
At Greater Newark Conservancy, our programs are rooted in the belief that environmental stewardship and urban agriculture go hand-in-hand with public health and community empowerment. Through innovative educational programming, urban farming initiatives, and hands-on wellness activities, we provide Newark residents with vital community resources that nurture healthy lifestyles and support lifelong learning.
Whether it’s a young child exploring nature in our Family Programs, a student learning where food comes from during a field trip, or a local gardener growing food in our Plot-It-Fresh Community Gardening program, our goal is to provide inclusive, impactful programming that meets the needs of our diverse community.
From our hydroponic greenhouse and outdoor learning spaces to our farmers markets and nutrition education efforts, each program is designed to provide Newark families with meaningful environmental resources, farming resources, and gardening resources that lead to long-term wellness.
We are proud to be a hub of sustainability resources and a leader in the local Newark Community, connecting residents with fresh food, knowledge, and green space.
Education
From toddlers to teachers, our education programs promote environmental literacy, nutrition knowledge, and a lifelong love of learning through nature.
Join us for interactive activities that bring nature into the hands of families across Newark.
Monthly themed programs combining natural science, hands-on activities, and nature exploration.
Healthy cooking classes led by Chef Afi, focusing on seasonal, family-friendly recipes.
Our school programs help students grow their knowledge of sustainability, food systems, and nutrition through interactive lessons aligned with school curricula.
Monthly themed programs combining natural science, hands-on activities, and nature exploration.
Healthy cooking classes led by Chef Afi, focusing on seasonal, family-friendly recipes.
Students visit our Outdoor Learning Center to explore ecology, sustainability, and food systems.
Through our partnership with FoodCorps, we provide elementary schools with nutrition education, fresh taste tests, and help build and sustain their outdoor learning classroom.
Workshops for educators on outdoor classroom management, grant writing/fundraising, school garden planning, and more.
Urban Agriculture
We believe healthy food is a right, not a privilege. Our urban agriculture work addresses local food insecurity through access, education, and urban agriculture.
Our new Branch Brook Park hydroponic greenhouse grows fresh produce year-round for our community, markets, and CSA boxes.
Community members can grow their own food in garden beds across Newark, learning organic gardening techniques while feeding their families.
We bring affordable, locally grown produce to neighborhoods through:
Coalition for Healthy Food in Newark Schools (CHFiNS)
We proudly lead the Coalition for Healthy Food in Newark Schools (CHFiNS), working collaboratively to promote the consumption of nutritious school meals and equitable food access for students and families across the city. CHFiNS works with community members, school administrators, students, and local organizations to transform school cafeterias, support student wellness, and advocate for sustainable school food systems.
