PROJECT PROFILE: Greening Camden
Educating, Empowering, and Enriching Communities for Climate Action and Cleaner Air
About
This Environmental Education (EE) project addresses the intersection of climate change, air quality, and urban greening, focusing on Camden, New Jersey, an environmental justice and overburdened community. Camden faces severe air pollution issues from point and nonpoint sources, including industries, transportation centers, and highways with heavy truck traffic, exacerbated by climate change, increasing health risks for residents. This project advocates for a multifaceted solution to air pollution through urban greening initiatives (e.g., tree planting, nature-based solutions, and urban gardening), led by Rowan University in collaboration with Cooper Medical School and five community partners, empowering residents through both formal and informal education. The target audience includes 6-12th grade students and K-12 teachers from Title I school districts, college students, and community members. The significant activities (virtual or in-person) encompass all seven stages of the environmental education continuum (e.g., awareness, knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, action, and stewardship).​​
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​​This project was awarded a $100,000 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EE program, 2024-2026. Additional funding support ($18,000) was secured from the Green Jobs Academy, sponsored by TD Bank.
Stewardship
Decision-making
Action
Problem-solving
Critical-thinking
Knowledge
Awareness
Seven Stages of
Environmental Education Continuum
PROJECT TEAM
Core Team Members (Co-PIs)
Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Jagadish Torlapati, Ph.D. | Qian He, Ph.D. | Ben Saracco, MLS, MAIT
Project Director (PI)
Mahbubur Meenar, Ph.D.
Collaborators
Megan Bucknum, MUEP | Richard Federman, MS | Ted Howell, Ph.D. | John Mullen, Ph.D.​ | Ashley York, Ph.D.
Camden Community Partners
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Camden Community Partnership (CCP)
Center for Environmental Transformation (CFET)
Neighborhood Collaborative Community Gardens (NCCG)
New Jersey Tree Foundation (NJTF)
Social Responsibility Through Me (SRTM)​
Academic Partners
Marie Casanova | Carla Richards, Ph.D. | Lou Thomas, Ph.D. | Mina Zarfsaz, MFA
Student Members
Hannah Genereux | Sean Olcese | Ethan Theurer
PROJECT OUTPUTS
Learning Modules
The project team at Rowan University has developed a set of six free, ready-to-use learning modules designed for school and college educators. Created by Rowan professors and physicians, each module includes clear instructions, resources, and an accompanying slide deck to support classroom adoption. Covering topics that range from nature-based therapy and climate change education to urban trees, air quality, and local case studies, the modules bring science and practice together in engaging ways.
Module 1: Nature’s Healing Power: The Science and Practice of Nature-Based Therapy in Clinical Medicine by Dr. Cerceo
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Module 2: New Pathways in New Jersey’s Climate Change Education Standards by Dr. Mullen
Module 3: The Magic of Street Trees: Air Quality, Habitat, and Biophilic Benefits by Prof. Bucknum
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Module 4: Greening is Cleaning by Prof. Federman
Module 5: A Climate Change Case Study: Camden, NJ by Dr. Howell
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Module 6: Mapping Air Quality Data by Dr. York
The module | Slide deck (coming soon in Fall 2025)
Recorded Public Workshops
The workshops cover topics including air quality, urban greening, and the public health impacts of environmental issues, and are intended for all Camden, NJ residents and stakeholders. While the workshops are open to everyone, some are especially suited for family viewing, health care professionals, and educators. For details, please visit the Camden Environmental Education Certificate Program website, maintained by Prof. Saracco, Cooper Medical School Library.
Nature Based Therapy by Dr. Cerceo
Climate Change Education by Dr. Mullen
The Magic of Street Trees by Prof. Bucknum & Dr. Thomas
Greening is Cleaning by Prof. Federman
How Will Climate Change Make Air Quality Worse? by Dr. Howell
Academic Research
Undergraduate research | Air Quality, Community Disadvantage, and Historical Redlining in Camden by Sean Olcese (advisor: Dr. He)
Undergraduate research | Analyzing Camden's Air Quality (advisor: Dr.Torlapati)
Graduate research | Public Perceptions of Air Pollution & Urban Greening by Planning Studio (advisor: Dr. Meenar)
Undergraduate research | Camden Air Pollution and Urban Greening Case Study by Planning Studio (advisor: Dr. Meenar)
Undergraduate research | Ashtma-Air Pollution Connection in Philadelphia Metro Area by Sean Olcese (advisors: Drs. He & Meenar)
Field Data Collection by Rowan Students (Engineering, GIS, and Planning (advisors: Drs. Torlapati & Meenar)
Focus Groups with Camden Residents, Employees, and Other Stakeholders, co-organized by Camden Community Partnership, Community Planning + Visualization Lab, and Planning Studio
Academic Projects
By Rowan University Planning Studio 2025
Advisor: Dr. Meenar​
This toolkit has been developed to address the critical issues of air quality in Camden, New Jersey, with comprehensive greening solutions. The city of Camden is located just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. It has a long history of industrial activity, deindustrialization, and urban decline. The remnants of its industrial past, including abandoned factories and waste disposal sites, continue to impact the city's environment, particularly in working-class and predominantly low-income neighborhoods. This toolkit is designed to serve as a community resource for understanding the causes and impacts of air pollution, identifying existing regulatory frameworks, and providing strategies to improve air quality in both the short and long term. To learn more about Planning Studio 2025, please visit here.
Environmental Blogs published in South Jersey Climate News
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BLOG 1: EMR metal recycling facility fires: A persistent threat to Camden’s air quality by Bradley Leverrett
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BLOG 2: Planting hope in Camden: Community fights air pollution and heat with trees by Vin Palmieri
Environmental Art projects created by undergraduate students from Rowan University Art Department (advisor: Prof. Zarfsaz)​
YouTube Shorts created by undergraduate students from Rowan University Public Relations (advisor: Prof. Richards)
Tree Planting Workshop by
NJ Tree Foundation, Community Planning + Visualization Lab, & Planning Studio
Free Download: Kids' Coloring Book
Workington & Friends: Cooling Camden One Leaf At a Time
Created by the interns at Neighborhood Collaborative Community Gardens
Urban Farming Workshop by
Center for Environmental Transformation
Park Cleanup Event by
NJ Tree Foundation & Planning Studio
Fruit Tree Planting Workshop by
Neighborhood Collaborative Community Gardens
Community Workshops, Events, & Products
Participatory Science:
Camden Environmental Education Program
The Camden Environmental Education Program is a community-based educational initiative developed by the Community Planning + Visualization Lab at Rowan University in collaboration with the Camden Community Partnership. This program is designed to increase awareness of local environmental issues while engaging residents in participatory air quality research within the City of Camden. This initiative is supported by funding from the U.S. EPA, TD Bank, and Rowan University Green Jobs Academy. To learn more, please visit this page.
