About Our Initiative

Student-led biodiversity documentation in West Windsor, NJ

Local Ecology, Global Impact

Eco West Windsor began with a simple observation: while many students are passionate about global environmental issues like climate change and species extinction, few recognize the rich biodiversity in their own backyards. This initiative bridges that gap by documenting and celebrating our local ecosystem while building conservation awareness.

Our philosophy is that effective global conservation begins with local understanding. By studying species in West Windsor, students develop ecological literacy that scales to larger environmental challenges. Each documented species contributes to our community's environmental baseline, helping track changes over time.

Why Start Local?

Local ecosystems are the most accessible classrooms for budding ecologists. They offer:

  • Hands-on research opportunities without extensive travel
  • Tangible conservation impacts students can witness
  • Foundation for understanding broader ecological principles
  • Community connections that make science relevant

Founded by a Student, For Students

This initiative was created by Shashank Viswanathan, a West Windsor student passionate about ecology and biodiversity. What began as an independent project has grown into a community resource with multiple contributors.

The project was started to address the lack of local ecological knowledge among students and to create opportunities for hands-on environmental science experience within the community.

Join Our Growing Team

We're building a team of students and community members who share our passion for local ecology. Whether you're a biology enthusiast, photography hobbyist, or simply nature-curious, there's a place for you in this initiative.

For Students

Gain hands-on research experience, build your academic portfolio, and contribute to meaningful conservation work. Perfect for ecology, biology, or environmental science students.

For Educators

Incorporate our resources into your curriculum or guide student researchers. We welcome collaborations with schools and environmental programs.

For Community Members

Share your local knowledge, participate in species documentation, or help spread awareness about West Windsor's biodiversity.

All contributions are recognized on our Credits page, and exceptional work may qualify for formal recommendations.

A Community Resource

Eco West Windsor is a non-profit, open-access initiative. All content is freely available to support environmental education and local conservation efforts.

Our goals:

How You Can Help

Even if you're not ready to contribute research, you can support us by:

  • Sharing our project with friends and teachers
  • Following species sightings in your neighborhood
  • Attending our future community events
  • Suggesting improvements via our feedback form

Ready to Get Involved?

Contact us at ecowestwindsor@gmail.com or explore our participation options.

Help us document West Windsor's biodiversity and inspire the next generation of ecologists!