New Haven Ecology Project

The New Haven Ecology Project, Inc. (NHEP) was founded in 1990 by a number of local educators seeking to promote and provide environmental education to residents in the greater New Haven area. The organization’s mission is to cultivate habits of healthy living and sustainable environmental practices for a diverse community of children, adults and families. NHEP accomplishes this mission by: 1) Operating Common Ground High School, a public charter school with a focus on the environment and the academic foundation for post-secondary education, 2)Offering environmental education programs and demonstrating environmentally appropriate practices for the general community; and 3)Maintaining an organic farm and managing the forested land of the site.

In addition to the high school, current programs include: Common Ground 21st Century Community Learning Center offering educational programs for students and families during non-school hours; After School Science Programs for elementary andmiddle school students; Educational Farm Tours for visiting groups of all ages; a Summer Ecology Camp for middle school students; Summer Vocational and Technical Job Training for high school students; Weekend Programs featuring crafts, animals, gardens, nature, food and healthy living; and Employment Opportunities for high school students.

All of the NHEP's programs are held on the organization’s 20-acre farm site at the base of West Rock Ridge State Park in New Haven, CT.