Passaic Today

This summer, students from universities nationwide are addressing environmental and climate challenges at Montclair State University. They are participating in the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies' annual Green Teams program, focusing on issues such as regenerative agriculture, urban flood mitigation, tree canopy equity, corporate sustainability, and inclusive workforce training.

“Today marks a milestone – a decade of collaboration, innovation and student-driven sustainability solutions,” said Amy Tuininga, director of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies. She welcomed the new cohort on May 28 during the program’s 10th-anniversary launch event.

Since its inception, Montclair's Green Teams program has become a model for experiential learning and problem-solving. The program has produced hundreds of deliverables supporting sustainable solutions across New Jersey and beyond.

The current cohort consists of 50 interns from 33 universities and 16 states. These students are working on projects that address urgent environmental challenges including soil health with drone tools (Food Shed Alliance), flood risk mapping in Paterson (The Nature Conservancy), urban greening in Bloomfield and Newark, climate-smart infrastructure development with NJ Natural Gas, Eisai and the Port Authority of NY & NJ, inclusive workforce technology for adults with autism (Green Do Good), and schoolyard restoration at Hazel Avenue School.

“Some of our partners are long-time collaborators, while others are new to the Green Team family. Each one plays a vital role in shaping a more sustainable, equitable future,” Tuininga stated.

Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell commended the Green Teams program as an example of innovation and hope. He emphasized that solutions to world challenges are possible and happening now.

Dominique Lueckenhoff from Hugo Neu Corporation urged for long-term thinking and purposeful action during her keynote speech. She advocated for a “resilience revolution” to transform markets and communities.

“We stand at a crossroads. Choices we make today about our securities, markets, infrastructure and communities will shape generations to come,” she remarked.

The Green Teams projects include initiatives like drone data for regenerative agriculture by Food Shed Alliance; microforests creation in urban areas; water audits by Port Authority of NY & NJ; emissions tracking by Eisai; CO₂ reuse feasibility by NJ Natural Gas; flood mitigation strategies by The Nature Conservancy; and virtual-reality job training modules by Green Do Good.

The program is funded by organizations such as the PSEG Foundation, National Science Foundation, USDA, and NASA.

At Montclair State University’s PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies and College of Science and Mathematics research drives real-world environmental solutions through collaboration.