Duke Farms honored with Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for Climate Mitigation

Duke Farms is transforming its 2,700 acre campus through its Natural Systems Energy Project to sharply reduce emissions and sequester carbon through reforestation and natural climate solutions.  The project also includes a solar energy system for powering the campus and aims to support an 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.

About the Natural Systems Energy Project

The Natural Systems Energy Project is a campus-wide initiative designed to sharply reduce emissions while expanding the capacity of the landscape to store carbon. This long-term effort brings together ecological restoration, renewable energy, and sustainability science to reshape how a public landscape can lead on climate action.

Key components include:

• Reforestation and habitat restoration that expand carbon sequestration while improving biodiversity and soil health
• A new solar energy system that increases onsite renewable energy generation and reduces reliance on fossil fuels
• Integrated natural climate solutions that use the landscape itself to reduce emissions and support long-term resilience
• A target of reducing overall campus emissions by 80 percent by 2030, in alignment with statewide climate goals

These efforts deepen their commitment to using Duke Farms as a living laboratory. The project also supports research, education, and hands-on learning that help visitors, students, and partners understand how climate solutions take shape on the ground.

Looking Ahead

The Natural Systems Energy Project is part of a long-term vision to demonstrate how land stewardship can advance climate solutions at scale. Duke Farms will continue to restore ecosystems, invest in renewable energy, and share knowledge that can help communities across New Jersey and beyond.

To learn more about the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, visit dep.nj.gov/awards.