NJ Updates: Events, Deadlines, Programs, Guidance, and More

Cybercriminals often seek to exploit the compassion and generosity of the public by soliciting donations for bogus charities to help the victims of attacks and natural disasters. Scammers may contact you via email, text message, phone, or private messages on social media. They may impersonate reputable organizations and convey a sense of heightened urgency. For example, a scam email may appear to come from a trusted charity and ask you to click a link that collects your sensitive information and credit card details.

Protect yourself by exercising caution when clicking links or providing sensitive information, such as financial details, to unverified charities. Verify the legitimacy of the charity by searching for it online, rather than using a link sent to you. For more cyber-related updates, sign-up at cyber.nj.gov.

Residents are reminded to drive carefully as daylight hours shorten and the risk of deer collisions increases.

White-tailed deer are involved in thousands of motor vehicle collisions every year. Most of those collisions occur during peak deer mating season, which in New Jersey runs from late October through mid-December. Many car commuters drive at times of day when deer are most active, and when lighting conditions may make driving more difficult.

Residents are asked to be alert and watch for black bears as the bears forage for food ahead of their winter den season. Though most of New Jersey's black bears live in the northwest portion of the state, black bears have been sighted in all 21 counties.

Please take steps to secure trash cans and other potential sources of food. Bears that find food in residential neighborhoods may learn to associate people with food. These bears may then become nuisances that cause property damage, seek handouts from people, or become dangerous. Intentionally feeding bears is illegal in New Jersey and carries a fine of up to $1,000.?

Report black bear damage or aggressive bears to your local police department or to NJ Fish & Wildlife by calling 1-877-927-6337. Find more safety tips and information at the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

New Jersey is intensely developed, densely populated, and supports two of America's six biggest cities. With your help, New Jersey will stay ahead of the curve for decades to come.

Back in 2001, New Jersey was among the first states to implement a holistic approach to planning that included land use, housing, transportation, recreation, public services, and all the other aspects of life in our state. The first comprehensive plan for New Jersey, known colloquially as the "State Plan," became a model for the rest of the United States.

Since 2001, our understanding of climate change, environmental justice, and how to balance our goals in those areas with healthy and equitable economic growth has deepened. To help New Jersey update our State Plan by providing input on projects, surveys, initiatives, and opportunities, visit?the State Plan Advocacy Hub.

Unless they play football and flew in from Chicago, bears can't use the New Jersey Turnpike. Neither can timber rattlesnakes, blue-spotted salamanders, or any of the other endangered wildlife that call New Jersey home. You can help NJDEP Fish & Wildlife identify places where roadways are impeding wildlife movement with the NJDEP Wildlife Tracker, a new web application. Use the app on any web-enabled device to report rare wildlife sightings and any animal sightings on roadways. An informative YouTube video further explains the state's efforts to keep its wildlife habitats connected.

As we head into cold and flu season, New Jerseyans are encouraged to take precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy.

Basic strategies to prevent the spread of viruses include staying up to date on your vaccinations, washing your hands often, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, and staying home if you're feeling or are sick.

Check with your health care provider to learn how best to protect yourself and your family from the flu, COVID-19, and RSV, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

Find locations offering COVID-19 vaccines on vaccines.gov. Visit NJ.gov/health/vaccines for more information.?Free COVID-19 test kits are available from the federal government.