The launch of New Jersey's groundbreaking climate resilience initiative is set to transform the state's approach to environmental challenges. Spearheaded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with a game-changing $72 million NOAA grant, the "Building a Climate Ready NJ" project is primed to revolutionize how the state tackles climate change. This initiative addresses critical issues like flooding, habitat loss, and water quality degradation, forging a pathway to a more resilient New Jersey.

Through this strategic investment, a new wave of community-driven solutions will emerge, creating a robust resilience planning pipeline. The initiative will bring vulnerable and overburdened communities into the resilience conversation, advancing the design and implementation of vital climate resilience projects across the state. 

From innovative living shorelines to traditional green infrastructure projects like rain gardens, the initiative is geared to tackle climate challenges from the coast to urban centers like Newark and Paterson. Beyond just physical construction, this program is designed to leave an enduring legacy—empowering communities with the knowledge and tools they need to continue building resilience long after the grant ends.

By integrating nature-based and engineered solutions, this project represents a monumental step in not only protecting New Jersey’s coastal and urban communities but ensuring that future generations inherit a state that’s stronger, safer, and more prepared to face the challenges of climate change.