Media Coverage

In the NEWS

• In New Jersey, Benefits Bloom in Tiny Forests. (2025, Jul 22)
  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/climate/new-jersey-tiny-forests.html
• Groundwork Elizabeth to Celebrate Earth Day With Boots Not Suits Event (2025, Apr 21) https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/green/articles/groundwork-elizabeth-to-celebrate-earth-day-with-boots-not-suits-event
• Murphy Administration Seeks Community Partners for DEP’s Youth Inclusion Initiative to Empower Next Generation of Environmental Leaders (2025, Jan 9) https://dep.nj.gov/newsrel/25_0004/
• Urban Agriculture: A layered approach to food security and sustainability in Elizabeth NJ (2024, Nov 21) https://home.nps.gov/articles/000/urban-agriculture-a-layered-approach-to-food-security-and-sustainability-in-elizabeth-nj.htm
• Elizabeth Non-Profit Welcomes New Executive Director. (2024, Nov 7)
  https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/giving-back/articles/elizabeth-non-profit-welcomes-new-executive-director
• Elizabeth-based Groundwork USA Cultivates Greener Future for New Jersey (2024, Sep 5) https://newjersey.news12.com/fall-back-in-news-12-elizabeth-based-groundwork-usa-cultivates-greener-future-for-new-jersey
• DEP Launches Fourth Annual Youth Inclusion Initiative Program to Empower Next Gerneration of Environmental Leaders from Overburdened Communities (2024, Jul 8) https://dep.nj.gov/newsrel/24_0025/
• 21st Annual Tour de Elizabeth Draws Over 800 Cyclists in a Scenic Journey Through Elizabeth, NJ: Participants from all over the U.S. gathered for “Riding with Heart (2024, May 23) https://www.pr.com/press-release/912324
• Microforests in NJ: Turning Developed Urban Spaces Back to Green (2023, Oct 18) https://nj1015.com/elizabeth-microforest-groundwork-jonathan-phillips/
• DEP Launches Fourth Annual Youth Inclusion Initiative Program to Empower Next Gerneration of Environmental Leaders from Overburdened Communities (2023, Jul 6) https://dep.nj.gov/newsrel/23_0042/
• New ‘microforests’ grow in Elizabeth. (2023, Oct 2)
  https://www.njspotlightnews.org/video/new-microforests-grow-in-elizabeth/
• HACE Achieves Fundraising Goal at First Annual Scholarship Gala. (2023, May 21) https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/community-announcements/articles/hace-achieves-fundraising-goal-at-first-annual-scholarship-gala
• Internship Program Helps Union and Essex County Students with Disabilities Build for their Futures. (2023, Apr 6) https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/education/articles/internship-program-helps-union-and-essex-county-students-with-disabilities-build-for-their-futures
• Planting Impact and Groundwork Elizabeth Hosts Public Tree Planting Event. (2023, Mar 21) https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/home-and-garden/articles/planting-impact-and-groundwork-elizabeth-hosts-public-tree-planting-event
• Mayor Chris Bollwage Presents State of the City Address. (2023, Jan 13) https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/community-announcements/articles/mayor-chris-bollwage-presents-state-of-the-city-address
• Case Study: DEP Youth Workforce Development, Youth Inclusion Initiative (2022, Oct 5) https://dep.nj.gov/grantandloanprograms/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-youth-inclusion-initiative/
• NJ Spotlight News, re. Urban Heat Islands. (2022, Aug 4). PBS. https://www.pbs.org/video/nj-spotlight-news-august-4-2022-1659628538/
• Groundwork Elizabeth to Install Four New Micro-Forests in the City of Elizabeth Thanks to Grant from Bezos Foundation. (2022, Aug 2). Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/green/articles/groundwork-elizabeth-to-install-four-new-micro-forests-in-the-city-of-elizabeth-thanks-to-grant-from-bezos-foundation
• NJ inspires interest in environmental careers while promoting DEI. (2022, Jul 25). Union News Daily. https://unionnewsdaily.com/news/elizabeth/nj-inspires-interest-in-environmental-careers-while-promoting-dei
• Murphy Administration Inspires Interest in Environmental Careers While Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Through DEP’s Youth Inclusion Initiative (2022, Jul 13) https://dep.nj.gov/newsrel/22_0030/
• Hike It Baby, Bring It Outside Event: Mother’s Day at the Park. (2022, Jun 23). Hike It Baby. https://hikeitbaby.com/blog/hike-it-baby-bring-it-outside-event-mothers-day-at-the-park/
• Groundwork Elizabeth Youth Leaders Participate at a Blue Acres Maintenance Day. (2022, Jun 23). Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/green/articles/groundwork-elizabeth-youth-leaders-participate-at-a-blue-acres-maintenance-day
• Record Number of Cyclists Participate in the 2022 Tour de Elizabeth. (2022, May 24). Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/community-announcements/articles/record-number-of-cyclists-participate-in-the-2022-tour-de-elizabeth
• City of Elizabeth Celebrates $611K Grant for Historic Midtown Neighborhood (2022, May 24) New Jersey Business Magazine. https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/city-of-elizabeth-celebrates-611k-grant-for-historic-midtown-neighborhood/
• Eight Groundwork Trusts Awarded Climate Preparedness and Land Restoration Grants to Advance Community-Centered Climate Resilience Projects. (2022, May 18). Tapinto. https://groundworkusa.org/climate-preparedness-annoucement/
• This Young Rider is Ready for the Tour de Elizabeth. (2022, May 12). Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/this-young-rider-is-ready-for-the-tour-de-elizabeth-may-22
• More than 200 attendees celebrate Earth Day at Phil Rizzuto Park. (2022, May 10). Union News Daily. https://unionnewsdaily.com/news/elizabeth/more-than-200-attendees-celebrate-earth-day-at-phil-rizzuto-park
• “Superheroes for a Super City’ Tour De Elizabeth Less than One Month Away. (2022, Apr 24). Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/superheroes-for-a-super-city-tour-de-elizabeth-less-than-one-month-away
• Groundwork Elizabeth to Celebrate Earth Day with ‘Boots Not Suits’. (2022, Apr 20) Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/green/articles/groundwork-elizabeth-to-celebrate-earth-day-with-boots-not-suits
• Union County HEART Grants to Fund Art and History Programs in Elizabeth in 2022 (2022, Jan 23) Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/union-county-heart-grants-to-fund-art-and-history-programs-in-elizabeth-in-2022

• Groundwork USA Receives a $6 Million Investment from the Bezos Earth Fund. (2021, Dec 16). Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/green/articles/groundwork-usa-receives-a-6-million-investment-from-the-bezos-earth-fund
• Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth Provides Critical Ida Relief to Elizabeth Residents, Union County (2021, Oct 6) Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/union-county-news/articles/housing-authority-of-the-city-of-elizabeth-provides-critical-ida-relief-to-elizabeth-residents-union-county
• Westfield Church Youth to Team Up With Groundwork Elizabeth to Improve City of Elizabeth’s Agriculture. (2021, Jun 24) Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/religions-and-spirituality/articles/westfield-church-youth-to-team-up-with-groundwork-elizabeth-to-improve-city-of-elizabeth-s-agriculture
• Dedication Ceremony for New Nature Trail at Phil Rizzuto Park (2020, Oct 8) Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/union/sections/green/articles/dedication-ceremony-for-new-nature-trail-at-phil-rizzuto-park
• Union County Freeholders Dedicate Nature Trail at Phil Rizzuto Park (2020, Oct 7) https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2020/10/07/union-county-freeholders-dedicate-nature-trail-at-phil-rizzuto-park/
• N.J. cities are hotter than ever. Racism is as much to blame as climate change. (2020, Sep 27) NJ.com https://www.nj.com/news/2020/09/as-njs-summers-intensify-how-racism-turned-up-the-heat-on-states-most-vulnerable.html
• Groundwork Elizabeth Receives Grant to Expand Youth Programming. (2020, Jul 16) Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/education/articles/groundwork-elizabeth-receives-grant-to-expand-youth-programming
• Union County Parks Department Receives Two 2020 NACo Achievement Awards (2020, Jun 15) https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2020/06/15/union-county-parks-department-receives-two-2020-naco-achievement-awards/
• Union County Freeholders Offer “UC Means Green” Community Garden Grants. (2020, Feb 14). Union County. https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2020/02/14/union-county-freeholders-offer-uc-means-green-community-garden-grants/
• Building Elizabeth’s Next Generation of Leaders (2019, Dec 4). New Jersey Health Initiatives. https://www.njhi.org/submissions/building-elizabeths-next-generation-of-leaders/
• Groundwork Elizabeth Unveils “Jerry’s Greenhouse” a Gift to Elizabeth and the Union County Community. (2019, Apr 26) Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/green/articles/groundwork-elizabeth-unveils-jerry-s-greenhouse-a-gift-to-elizabeth-and-the-union-county-community
• Comcast Newsmakers: Video Interview with Jonathan Phillips of Groundwork Elizabeth. (2018, Aug 14). Comcast Newsmakers. https://comcastnewsmakers.com/Videos/2018/8/16/NJ180814-3
• Union County awards grants for 27 ‘Union County Means Green’ garden projects. (2018, May 9). NJ.com. https://www.nj.com/independentpress/2018/05/union_county_awards_grants_for.html
• Groundwork Elizabeth Receives $200K Grant for New Youth Health Initiative (2017, Jul 21). Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/articles/groundwork-elizabeth-receives-200k-grant-for-new
• Youth Teams Will Put Poor Communities in Touch with Better Health. (2017, Jul 12). NJ Spotlight News. https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2017/07/17-07-11-youth-teams-will-put-poor-communities-in-touch-with-better-health/
• Preparing the next generation of civic and community leaders to build healthier communities. (2017, Jul 10). New Jersey Health Initiatives. https://www.njhi.org/projects/preparing-elizabeths-next-generation-community-leaders/
• Elizabeth Just Got Greener with Two, New Community Gardens (2017, Apr 18) https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/green/articles/elizabeth-just-got-greener-with-two-new-communit
• Podcast. Discover DEP: the Official Podcast of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Episode 45 – Groundwork Elizabeth with Jonathan Phillips and Jackie Park Albaum. (2017, Feb 24). NJDEP Podbean https://njdep.podbean.com/e/episode-45-groundwork-elizabeth-with-jonathan-phillips-and-jackie-park-albaum/.
• Groundwork Elizabeth and Liberty Hall Farm Dedicate Annette’s Garden and Host Tomato Tasting (2015, Aug 22) Tapinto. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/roselle/sections/giving-back/articles/groundwork-elizabeth-and-liberty-hall-farm-dedica-1

PRESS RELEASES

• Earth Day Activities at Phil Rizzuto Park, April 22. (2022, April 15). https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2021/04/15/earth-day-activities-at-phil-rizzuto-park-april-22/
• Annual Tour de Elizabeth Returns to Elizabeth with a “Superheroes for a Super City” Theme. (2022, Apr 4). https://www.elizabethnj.org/DocumentCenter/View/4302/TOUR-DE-ELIZABETH-PRESS-RELEASE.
• Public Invited to Help Celebrate Earth Day at Phil Rizzuto Park on April 22nd. (2021, Apr 15). https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2021/04/15/earth-day-activities-at-phil-rizzuto-park-april-22/
• Mayor Bollwage and the City of Elizabeth Host Citywide Cleanup. (2019, May 14). https://www.elizabethnj.org/DocumentCenter/View/1431/Citywide-CleanUp
• More Than 50 DEP Employees Participate in Volunteer Event to Prepare Community Gardens in Elizabeth for Spring Plantings. (2011, Nov 3). http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2017/17_0107.htm
• NJDEP, Groundwork Elizabeth to Join in Building 100 Community Garden Beds. (2017, Apr 12). https://www.rlsmedia.com/article/njdep-groundwork-elizabeth-join-building-100-community-garden-beds
• Union County Announces “Union County Means Green” Community Grant Awards. (2016, Jun 3) https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2016/06/03/union-county-announces-union-county-means-green-community-garden-grant-awards/.
• DEP Partners with Groundwork Elizabeth and Kean University for Community-Based Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (2016, Apr 16) https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/dep-partners-groundwork-elizabeth-kean-university-community-based-sustainable-agriculture-initiatives/
• Boy Scouts Honor Community Leaders with Lifetime Achievement Awards (2015, Jun 9) https://www.tapinto.net/towns/elizabeth/sections/giving-back/articles/boy-scouts-honor-community-leaders-with-lifetime
• The Institute of Music Give Back: Led by Granddaughter of Environmental Champion, Students Raise $1,800; Present Check to Groundwork Elizabeth at Holiday Party. (2014, Dec 19) https://www.instituteofmusic.org/images/press-releases/Groundworks%20Press%20Release%20FINAL%202.15.pdf
• Elizabeth trail will connect Bridge Street, Arthur Kill Watershed (2011, Nov 6) https://www.nj.com/news/2011/11/elizabeth_trail_will_connect_b.html