Discover DEP: the Official Podcast of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Episode 5-NJ State History Fair with Mark Sirak

The Department of Environmental Protection will host the 12th annual New Jersey SPIRIT of the JERSEYS History Fair on Saturday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Monmouth State Park in Manalapan. Bob Bostock spoke to the Fair’s Logistics Chairperson, Mark Sirak, to discuss this event where visitors will have a chance to explore 400 years of life in the Garden State. The event will feature re-enactors from the French & Indian Wars, the Revolutionary War and Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. A full listing of the day’s activities can be found at www.njhistoryfair.org. The event is rain or shine

Monmouth Battlefield State Park is located on 16 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726.

Episode 4-Wildfire Season with State Fire Warden Bill Edwards

New Jersey is in the midst of wildfire season as weather conditions at this time of year tend to be dry and windy. Keeping this in mind, Bob Bostock sits down with DEP’s State Fire Warden Bill Edwards to discuss how residents need to be extra cautious while they are outdoors in order to reduce the risk of fires.

Episode 3-Air Quality Awareness Week with Melinda Dower, Air Program Research Scientist

This week marks the 10 year anniversary of Air Quality Awareness Week. Here in New Jersey, the DEP is celebrating by keeping residents informed about air quality and the changes they can make in their daily lives that can improve the quality of the air we breathe. While New Jersey’s air quality has improved greatly, ground-level ozone, commonly called smog, is one of our most long-lasting and pervasive air quality issues. Bob Bostock sits down with Melinda Dower, a Research Scientist at the DEP, who explains the science behind ozone and how it is formed so that we can identify how our everyday actions impact ozone.

Episode 2- Arbor Day with Community Forestry Coordinator Carrie Sargeant

This year marks the 67^th Annual State Arbor Day Celebration. Bob Bostock sits down with Carrie Sargeant, DEP’s Assistant Regional Forester and State’s Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, from DEP’s Division of Parks and Forestry to discuss how New Jersey is observing this occasion and the strides the state has made to protect our State’s trees and forests.

For additional resources, visit:

NJ Community Forestry Program: www.communityforestry.nj.gov

Treasure our Tree License Plate: www.treasureourtrees.nj.gov

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newjerseyforests

Emerald Ash Borer Strike Team: www.emeraldashborer.nj.gov

NJ State Forest Nursery: www.forestnursery.org

Forest Resource Education Center: www.forestrycenter.nj.gov

New Jersey Tree Foundation: www.njtreefoundation.org

New Jersey Shade Tree Federation: www.njstf.org

Arbor Day Foundation: www.arborday.org

NJ Woodland Stewards: www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/forest/woodland_steward.html

Episode 1-Earth Day and an Interview with NJDEP Commissioner Bob Martin

Commissioner Martin launches the inaugural Discover DEP podcast on the 46^th anniversary of Earth Day and the formation of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection by reflecting on the accomplishments of DEP during his time as Commissioner.