Experience Barnegat Bay
The Natural Resource Education Foundation (NREF) is a volunteer-run non-profit dedicated to running the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education and restoring Barnegat Bay’s natural habitats for future generations.
Learn about NREF and the Lighthouse Center
The Natural Resource Education Foundation of New Jersey provides immersive educational experiences for all ages at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education in Waretown, NJ.
NREF serves as the caretakers for the Lighthouse Center, a property owned by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Located right on Barnegat Bay, this site serves as our natural laboratory where we work to understand and steward this coastal gem in the face of climate change.
Learn about our educational programs and explore how NREF can help you fulfill your educational goals.
Explore the research being conducted at the Lighthouse Center and catch the latest updates from our Shoreline Restoration Team.
Need a venue for your next conference or professional development event? Plan your organization’s next visit to the Lighthouse Center!
Contact Us
NREF is always looking for new ways to engage our community through environmental restoration and education. We are open to building new collaborations and meeting new partners.
We look forward to meeting you!