Excellence in Environmental Education Awards
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Congratulations to our 2024 Awardees:
Jeff Mrozak
Unity Charter School Outstanding Environmental Educator in Formal Sector 
Dr. Edward Cohen
Rutgers University Outstanding Environmental Educator in Higher Education |
Marc L. Rogoff
NJDEP Patricia F Kane Lifetime Achievement Award 
AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program
Pat Skelly Community Award |
Jennifer Correa-Kruegel
Warren County Department of Land Preservation Outstanding Environmental Educator in Non-formal Sector (works with the public) 
Janna M. Hockenjos
Earth Friends Outstanding Environmental Educator in Non-formal Sector (works with schools) |
Awardee Biographies
Outstanding Environmental Educator - Formal: Jeff Mrozak from Unity Charter School
Teaching environmental science is crucial for several reasons, as it helps individuals understand the complex relationships between humans, ecosystems, and the planet. Jeff has brought his passion for this topic to his students, and educates them about pressing issues like climate change, deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and resource depletion. With a solid understanding of these topics, his students can make informed decisions that protect the planet and contribute to sustainable development.
Jeff’s 8th grade students have shared this passion and have taken on a large yearlong project monitoring the Whippany River. Students test the water in a variety of ways and analyze the effects of road salt on our natural waterways.
Jeff also is a member of Brick City Rescue, a 501 ©3 pitbull rescue focusing on education, advocacy and placing dogs in need in healthy and happy homes. This ties into his mission of sustainability and helping support the community.
Outstanding Environmental Educator - Non-formal - Works with the Public: Jennifer Correa-Kruegel from Warren County Department of Land Preservation
Jen is a Park Naturalist for the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. In this role, she has created free programming opportunities for the Warren County Community. She began work for the county in 2021, starting with small group programs and setting up an “Ask a Naturalist” table at various sites on the weekends. It has evolved in this short period with collaborations with other county departments, such as the Department of Human Services with the Divisions of Aging and Disabilities and Mental Health programs as well providing content to local schools. Jen has assisted the Warren County Environmental Advisory Committee with the promotion of the Commissioners’ Conservation Challenge where the goal is to empower individuals to create wildlife friendly habitats in their own yards and make Warren County the first county in NJ to be certified as Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Additionally, Jen contributes nature articles through a column called, “Notes from the Fallen Tree” to a local publication called Ridge View Echo.
Jen is currently pursuing her Environmental Steward Certification through Rutgers University and has a Master Herpetologist Certification from the Amphibian Foundation. She has volunteered for the last 6 years with the Amphibian Crossing project with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation and also aids with wood turtle surveys.
Before working for Warren County, Jen worked for 14 years at the NJ School of Conservation as an Environmental Educator and as a Park Naturalist for Hunterdon County Park System for 3 years. Jen lives in Columbia and enjoys reading, running, CrossFit, and being with her family, including taking her two dogs for long walks.
Outstanding Environmental Educator - Non-formal - Works with Schools: Janna M. Hockenjos from Earth Friends
Janna Hockenjos is the founder of Earth Friends, a national nonprofit that provides environmental education for early childhood through an interdisciplinary, integrated school program, professional development opportunities and trainings, and a virtual community of practice where teachers receive support, resources, and materials to teach children about where we live and how we live. Janna believes that the youngest generation can rewrite the story of disconnection, distraction, and our diminishing natural world, and Earth Friends was created to empower these future innovators, problem-solvers, creatives, and doers. She is a book editor with a masters degree in journalism from NYU and registered yoga teacher, living in Pine Beach, NJ with her two young children, husband, golden retriever, and their backyard food forest.
Outstanding Environmental Educator - Higher Education: Dr. Edward Cohen from Rutgers University
Dr. Edward Cohen, Assistant Director at CMSCE with 18 years of experience in K-16 education, is leading significant efforts to advance environmental education in New Jersey. His career, beginning as a middle school science teacher and expanding through roles such as District K-12 Science Supervisor and STEAM Specialist, reflects a commitment to innovative, data-driven curricula that address pressing environmental issues. Notably, Dr. Cohen’s experiences on the research drill ship JOIDES Resolution and his Fulbright scholarship in Japan highlighted the urgent connection between climate change and engineered solutions, inspiring his climate change curriculum, which has been shared at major conferences like NSTA, NARST, and AGU. His international presentations and award-winning contributions to Earth science education, including the NAGT's Outstanding Earth Science Teacher award, underscore his impact in making environmental science accessible and engaging at the pre-college level.
Dr. Edward Cohen is leading efforts to align climate change education more closely with New Jersey’s unique environmental resources through a partnership with Sustainable NJ. This collaboration includes the "Benefits of Trees" initiative, a comprehensive 15-20 hour curriculum designed to educate students on trees' ecological and climate-related benefits, emphasizing the importance of long-term environmental stewardship. Also, additional NJ-specific resources were created to support teachers using Open Sci Ed unit 7.6 to teach climate change. Eddie is now working on using real-time data resources from NJ Adapt to benefit all students in K-12 through new lessons for teachers.
Additionally, Dr. Cohen is working on a New Jersey Department of Education-funded initiative to deliver professional development through the Climate Change Learning Collaborative (CCLC), leveraging CMSCE's STEM expertise alongside Rutgers climate change experts. In partnership with Rutgers University and New Jersey Audubon, the CCLC has been awarded one of the NJDOE Climate Change Grants aimed at expanding access to climate change education across the state. The project seeks to establish a Central NJ CCLC at Rutgers-New Brunswick and create a statewide network that supports local education agencies in implementing place-based, standards-aligned climate change education. By fostering a diverse cohort of K-12 educators prepared to teach high-quality climate content, Dr. Cohen’s approach blends hands-on learning with community-centered environmental education, empowering students and educators alike to engage meaningfully in sustainability and climate action.
Patricia F. Kane Lifetime Award: Marc L. Rogoff from NJDEP
The child of a science teacher, Marc spent his summers visiting parks across the country. This experience cemented his love for the environment at an early age. His childhood dream was to be a Park Ranger, a Paleontologist, or an Astronomer.
In college he majored in staying in college and started teaching classes at the college even before getting his degrees. He eventually worked as a public-school teacher, a museum educator and in 2000, wound up at the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection. His work at the DEP allowed him to interact with a great number of people all working toward a similar goal and to aid many groups and individuals who otherwise may not have had access to the resources available to him. These experiences gave him the opportunity to explore multiple pathways within the field of environmental education and to pursue those that interested him most. Due to this unusual freedom, he has had the chance to work AS, and alongside, Park Rangers, Paleontologists, and Astronomers.
A long-term member of the ANJEE Board and ANJEE President in 2004, Marc’s work in environmental education has been recognized by many in the field and he has lectured in many states and virtually in several countries, he has contributed to multiple published works and was recently appointed to the U.S. EPAs’ National Environmental Education Advisory Council.
An educator for over 45 years, Marc has had the privilege of working with: The American Museum of Natural History, The National Wildlife Federation, The NJ Dept. of Education, Liberty Science Center, NJ Audubon, NASA & more!
Pat Skelly Community Award: AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program
The AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program has played a pivotal role in environmental education within New Jersey communities, since its inception in 2000. Founded on the principles of community service and environmental stewardship, this program has engaged and empowered local residents and students to become active participants in safeguarding their natural surroundings. Through hands-on experiences and educational outreach, Ambassadors have fostered a deeper understanding of watershed management, pollution prevention, and ecological conservation among New Jersey's diverse populations.
Celebrating a quarter-century of service, the program exemplifies dedication and impact. By engaging with schools, community groups, and local governments, Ambassadors have not only educated but also inspired countless individuals to take proactive steps towards environmental sustainability. From organizing river clean-ups to conducting educational workshops on stewardship, their efforts have left a lasting imprint on the state’s environmental consciousness. As stewards of New Jersey's natural resources, the Ambassadors embody the spirit of AmeriCorps by promoting civic engagement and fostering a sense of responsibility towards a sustainable environment. Through collaborative efforts, they continue to shape a future where communities thrive in harmony with their ecological surroundings.
Teaching environmental science is crucial for several reasons, as it helps individuals understand the complex relationships between humans, ecosystems, and the planet. Jeff has brought his passion for this topic to his students, and educates them about pressing issues like climate change, deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and resource depletion. With a solid understanding of these topics, his students can make informed decisions that protect the planet and contribute to sustainable development.
Jeff’s 8th grade students have shared this passion and have taken on a large yearlong project monitoring the Whippany River. Students test the water in a variety of ways and analyze the effects of road salt on our natural waterways.
Jeff also is a member of Brick City Rescue, a 501 ©3 pitbull rescue focusing on education, advocacy and placing dogs in need in healthy and happy homes. This ties into his mission of sustainability and helping support the community.
Outstanding Environmental Educator - Non-formal - Works with the Public: Jennifer Correa-Kruegel from Warren County Department of Land Preservation
Jen is a Park Naturalist for the Warren County Department of Land Preservation. In this role, she has created free programming opportunities for the Warren County Community. She began work for the county in 2021, starting with small group programs and setting up an “Ask a Naturalist” table at various sites on the weekends. It has evolved in this short period with collaborations with other county departments, such as the Department of Human Services with the Divisions of Aging and Disabilities and Mental Health programs as well providing content to local schools. Jen has assisted the Warren County Environmental Advisory Committee with the promotion of the Commissioners’ Conservation Challenge where the goal is to empower individuals to create wildlife friendly habitats in their own yards and make Warren County the first county in NJ to be certified as Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Additionally, Jen contributes nature articles through a column called, “Notes from the Fallen Tree” to a local publication called Ridge View Echo.
Jen is currently pursuing her Environmental Steward Certification through Rutgers University and has a Master Herpetologist Certification from the Amphibian Foundation. She has volunteered for the last 6 years with the Amphibian Crossing project with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation and also aids with wood turtle surveys.
Before working for Warren County, Jen worked for 14 years at the NJ School of Conservation as an Environmental Educator and as a Park Naturalist for Hunterdon County Park System for 3 years. Jen lives in Columbia and enjoys reading, running, CrossFit, and being with her family, including taking her two dogs for long walks.
Outstanding Environmental Educator - Non-formal - Works with Schools: Janna M. Hockenjos from Earth Friends
Janna Hockenjos is the founder of Earth Friends, a national nonprofit that provides environmental education for early childhood through an interdisciplinary, integrated school program, professional development opportunities and trainings, and a virtual community of practice where teachers receive support, resources, and materials to teach children about where we live and how we live. Janna believes that the youngest generation can rewrite the story of disconnection, distraction, and our diminishing natural world, and Earth Friends was created to empower these future innovators, problem-solvers, creatives, and doers. She is a book editor with a masters degree in journalism from NYU and registered yoga teacher, living in Pine Beach, NJ with her two young children, husband, golden retriever, and their backyard food forest.
Outstanding Environmental Educator - Higher Education: Dr. Edward Cohen from Rutgers University
Dr. Edward Cohen, Assistant Director at CMSCE with 18 years of experience in K-16 education, is leading significant efforts to advance environmental education in New Jersey. His career, beginning as a middle school science teacher and expanding through roles such as District K-12 Science Supervisor and STEAM Specialist, reflects a commitment to innovative, data-driven curricula that address pressing environmental issues. Notably, Dr. Cohen’s experiences on the research drill ship JOIDES Resolution and his Fulbright scholarship in Japan highlighted the urgent connection between climate change and engineered solutions, inspiring his climate change curriculum, which has been shared at major conferences like NSTA, NARST, and AGU. His international presentations and award-winning contributions to Earth science education, including the NAGT's Outstanding Earth Science Teacher award, underscore his impact in making environmental science accessible and engaging at the pre-college level.
Dr. Edward Cohen is leading efforts to align climate change education more closely with New Jersey’s unique environmental resources through a partnership with Sustainable NJ. This collaboration includes the "Benefits of Trees" initiative, a comprehensive 15-20 hour curriculum designed to educate students on trees' ecological and climate-related benefits, emphasizing the importance of long-term environmental stewardship. Also, additional NJ-specific resources were created to support teachers using Open Sci Ed unit 7.6 to teach climate change. Eddie is now working on using real-time data resources from NJ Adapt to benefit all students in K-12 through new lessons for teachers.
Additionally, Dr. Cohen is working on a New Jersey Department of Education-funded initiative to deliver professional development through the Climate Change Learning Collaborative (CCLC), leveraging CMSCE's STEM expertise alongside Rutgers climate change experts. In partnership with Rutgers University and New Jersey Audubon, the CCLC has been awarded one of the NJDOE Climate Change Grants aimed at expanding access to climate change education across the state. The project seeks to establish a Central NJ CCLC at Rutgers-New Brunswick and create a statewide network that supports local education agencies in implementing place-based, standards-aligned climate change education. By fostering a diverse cohort of K-12 educators prepared to teach high-quality climate content, Dr. Cohen’s approach blends hands-on learning with community-centered environmental education, empowering students and educators alike to engage meaningfully in sustainability and climate action.
Patricia F. Kane Lifetime Award: Marc L. Rogoff from NJDEP
The child of a science teacher, Marc spent his summers visiting parks across the country. This experience cemented his love for the environment at an early age. His childhood dream was to be a Park Ranger, a Paleontologist, or an Astronomer.
In college he majored in staying in college and started teaching classes at the college even before getting his degrees. He eventually worked as a public-school teacher, a museum educator and in 2000, wound up at the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection. His work at the DEP allowed him to interact with a great number of people all working toward a similar goal and to aid many groups and individuals who otherwise may not have had access to the resources available to him. These experiences gave him the opportunity to explore multiple pathways within the field of environmental education and to pursue those that interested him most. Due to this unusual freedom, he has had the chance to work AS, and alongside, Park Rangers, Paleontologists, and Astronomers.
A long-term member of the ANJEE Board and ANJEE President in 2004, Marc’s work in environmental education has been recognized by many in the field and he has lectured in many states and virtually in several countries, he has contributed to multiple published works and was recently appointed to the U.S. EPAs’ National Environmental Education Advisory Council.
An educator for over 45 years, Marc has had the privilege of working with: The American Museum of Natural History, The National Wildlife Federation, The NJ Dept. of Education, Liberty Science Center, NJ Audubon, NASA & more!
Pat Skelly Community Award: AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program
The AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program has played a pivotal role in environmental education within New Jersey communities, since its inception in 2000. Founded on the principles of community service and environmental stewardship, this program has engaged and empowered local residents and students to become active participants in safeguarding their natural surroundings. Through hands-on experiences and educational outreach, Ambassadors have fostered a deeper understanding of watershed management, pollution prevention, and ecological conservation among New Jersey's diverse populations.
Celebrating a quarter-century of service, the program exemplifies dedication and impact. By engaging with schools, community groups, and local governments, Ambassadors have not only educated but also inspired countless individuals to take proactive steps towards environmental sustainability. From organizing river clean-ups to conducting educational workshops on stewardship, their efforts have left a lasting imprint on the state’s environmental consciousness. As stewards of New Jersey's natural resources, the Ambassadors embody the spirit of AmeriCorps by promoting civic engagement and fostering a sense of responsibility towards a sustainable environment. Through collaborative efforts, they continue to shape a future where communities thrive in harmony with their ecological surroundings.
Categories & Criteria
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- Patricia F. Kane Lifetime Achievement Award
Demonstrate the following:- The nominee has shown a commitment to EE activities for most of his/her professional life.
- The nominee is a current resident of New Jersey.
- The nominees EE activities have proven to benefit residents of the state.
- The nominee’s activities have the potential to be used by others in the field as measured by publication and distribution.
- The nominee’s EE activities emphasized and/or practiced the awareness to action process with those for whom the activities were intended.
- The nominee has evolved into a leader in the field of EE, through vocation or avocation.