About Us

In late 2009, a group of local scientists, educators, and activists began to discuss the local community’s lack of commitment to environmental health and sustainable living. Concerned that existing community structures were not enough to protect the environment and encourage “going green”, plans were adopted to found the Montclair Environmental Society. Our mission statement was soon adopted, and reads as follows:

We are a coalition of residents committed to improving the environment surrounding Montclair, New Jersey. We seek to clean the local area, prevent environmental degradation, encourage sustainable living, raise awareness, and positively contribute to our community. We reject the politicization of science, efforts to weaken environmental protections, degradation of natural habitats, and “dirty” living.

In 2010, MES was formally created as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A Board of Directors has been created, which consists of unpaid volunteer members of the community. We operate exclusively on donations, fundraising, grants, and volunteer activity. All funding goes to maintaining a small office area, overhead, supplies, educational materials, and event expenses. Additionally, we are nonpartisan and refrain from any political activity or lobbying. Our efforts are focused exclusively on environmental improvement and outreach.