New Jersey Resources Announces $50,000 Donation to Ducks Unlimited to Help Protect and Enhance Cattus Island in Ocean County, NJ

New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), the parent company of New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), today announced a $50,000 donation from its Coastal Climate Initiative (CCI) to Ducks Unlimited, a leader in wetlands conservation, to help protect and enhance coastal habitats on Cattus Island located in Ocean County, New Jersey. CCI supports projects and programs designed to improve the resilience of ecosystems and impacts from climate change, as well strengthen community engagement and environmental education.

Duck Unlimited is a world leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to restoration and conservation of wetlands and associated habitats. The funding will help support the planning, engineering design, surveying and permitting for four project areas within Cattus Island covering about 35 acres of wetlands restoration. With the designs and permits, Ducks Unlimited and its partners will coordinate with state and local dredging efforts to restore tidal marshes, mitigate erosion, foster resilient habitats and help protect the surrounding communities.

"Giving back and investing in the communities we serve is a core value of our company,” said Steve Westhoven, President and CEO of New Jersey Resources. “Through our Coastal Climate Initiative, we are helping improve resiliency, protect local habitats, enhance the environment and strengthen the coastal communities where we live and work. Together, with organizations like Ducks Unlimited, we are making a difference for us all for the long term.”

Cattus Island represents northern Barnegat Bay's largest contiguous salt marsh habitat complex and serves as a vital habitat for diverse, local wildlife. The 846-acre property, which operates as a county park, provides storm protection and resilience for the greater Toms River area, attracts 150,000 visitors annually and houses the Cooper Environmental Center that has provided environmental education and volunteer programs since 1980.

“The Cattus Island project exemplifies the power of partnership, uniting conservation organizations, local leaders, and the community to restore vital salt marshes that provide habitat for wildlife and strengthen coastal resilience for generations to come,” said Jim Feaga, Regional Biologist at Ducks Unlimited.

Today’s announcement builds on NJR’s long history of philanthropic support – both financial and volunteerism – to local communities and nonprofits in the areas in which it operates. To date, NJR has committed nearly 70% of its $2 million pledge over five years to CCI from its charitable foundations.