Food Policy Councils can be an essential tool for developing sustainable, resilient, and local food systems through advocacy, food policy, and community engagement. Literature is abundant for the importance of starting food policy councils, but there is currently not enough research on how existing councils can continue to stay relevant. Over time, structural challenges can diminish motivation which can continue to stay relevant. Over time, structural...

The circular economy (CE), in which wastes from one activity or process are reused as resources for others, is beginning to take hold as a development strategy. CE models can preserve resources, create jobs, add economic value, minimize waste, and curb greenhouse gas emissions, yet few governments have enacted policies to move toward a circular model. CE policy, when present, is likely most effective on the municipal level: the majority of the global...

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a conservation program originally authorized in section 387 of the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. WHIP is a cost share assistance program aimed at incentivizing landowners to develop private land into protected wildlife habitat. This program has promising and positive goals, but many shortfalls and inefficiencies exist in its policies and execution. Current government regulation...

In 1979, the state of New Jersey and the federal government aligned their efforts in order to protect and enrich the natural and cultural resources of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. With the passage of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978, the Pinelands National Reserve was established in combination with a governing body to manage it, namely the Pinelands Commission. Through its implementation of the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan...