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Press Release
For Immediate Release:
Contacts:
October 28, 2005
Sharon Lauchaire
609-292-2288

JJC and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
team up to control invasive plant species

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP - The New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) entered into a cooperative agreement this summer to teach JJC residents about invasive plant species and help eradicate invasive plants on the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, located in Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean Counties.

Residents from various JJC's programs spent the summer participating in the Invasive Plant Species Control Project which concludes this week. Residents from the JJC's Camden Residential Community Home located in the City of Camden, Campus Residential Community Homes located in Camden County, Southern Residential Community Home located in Egg Harbor and Edison Residential Community Home in Trenton participated in the programs.

"The Juvenile Justice Commission has a challenging goal - to turn around the lives of some of the state's most troubled youth," said Howard L. Beyer, Executive Director, Juvenile Justice Commission. "In addition to rehabilitative and educational programs, JJC residents participate in community service projects such as this one in order to give back to their communities. These initiatives also serve to help residents understand that they are part of a larger community and have a vested interest in its future. The JJC is happy to a part of this important project that is helping to protect New Jersey's environment."

JJC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

Up to 20 students, accompanied by JJC staff, work with staff from the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, a part of the Service to remove invasive plant species, such as, tree of heaven, Norway maple, Russian olive, autumn olive, Japanese wisteria, bamboo, sycamore maple and white poplar. Residents receive an hourly stipend of $8.50, and earn educational credits in science. Students have not only learned about the damage that invasive plant species cause, the growth stages of plants, and how to identify plant species, but have also gained valuable life skills including teamwork, employment ethics, goal-setting and workplace safety.

"Invasive plant species displace native species, contribute to native species extinction, alter plant communities and disrupt ecosystem processes," said Steve Atzert, Manager of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. "Invasive plants species also cause over $100 billion in damage in the United States every year. Two million acres within the National Wildlife Refuge System are infested with invasive plant species. The cooperative effort with the JJC has reduced the number of invasive plants on this refuge and has made a difference in the lives of the JJC residents involved."

The Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 96-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, 203 Waterfowl Production Areas and 50 other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to State fish and wildlife agencies.

The JJC is the state agency responsible for providing juveniles rehabilitation and parole services. Established in 1995, the JJC serves to coordinate services and policies affecting delinquent youth throughout the state. From prevention to parole, the JJC is a partner in the entire juvenile justice system, working with communities to help redirect the lives of young people. The JJC operates 16 residential community homes throughout the state, as well as five secure facilities. Residents have been placed with the Juvenile Justice Commission by the family court system. Juveniles are supervised by trained staff at all times. Juveniles who commit more violent crimes are sentenced to JJC secure institutions and are not eligible to participate in this program.

For more information on the JJC, please visit www.njjjc.com

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