Lead / Create / Contribute
235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724  /  732.542.4777

More Stories

List of 10 news stories.

The Nature Conservancy to Honor Christian Zugel; Students Lead TNC’s Junior Ambassador Program

Ashleigh '16 & Lucia '23 Zugel, along with students from across Ranney and beyond, support environmental efforts
The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey will honor Ranney parent Mr. Christian Zugel (Ashleigh ’16 and Lucia ’23) at its annual Oak Leaf Awards on October 18 in Colts Neck. The awards represent The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in New Jersey’s recognition of organizations and individuals who have had meaningful impacts on conservation—whether through financial efforts, advocacy or expertise—across the garden state.
 
Former Chairman of The Nature Conservancy of New Jersey, Mr. Zugel currently serves as Chief Investment Officer and Founder of the Zais Group in Red Bank. He and his family, including his wife, Sonia, and daughters Ashleigh and Lucia, “have a deep commitment to our natural world, with a passionate interest in open space, ocean protection and coastline conservation,” said the nonprofit TNC in its announcement of the event. “We are grateful for their unfailing support of The Nature Conservancy as well as other conservation efforts throughout the state, in the Caribbean, and beyond.”
 
Mr. Zugel says he got involved with TNC about 11 years ago after being introduced to the organization by the late Michael Huber (Mr. Huber’s granddaughter, Isabelle Heckler, is a member of Ranney’s Class of 2016). “He was the Chairman of the Board and supported conversation efforts all across the country, not just in Monmouth County,” said Mr. Zugel. “He understood early on that our globe has limited resources and we can’t be wasteful. He inspired me.”
 
TNC, which aims to conserve land and water, currently protects more than 55,000 acres across New Jersey, including in the coastal and Pine Barrens regions. “The world’s need for food, water, energy and other natural resources is growing rapidly,” added Mr. Zugel, who resides in Holmdel. “These demands, combined with climate change, are putting even more pressure on the planet. To meet our future needs, we have to make smarter decisions now. TNC is one resource every concerned citizen should know about and support.”
 
Mr. Zugel’s passion for the environment has carried onto his daughters. As a freshman at Ranney, Ashleigh started a pilot program called “junior ambassadors” in coordination with TNC. Joining her in 2012 were Karl Brand (Ranney Class of 2016, Holmdel) and Ian Bender of The Hill School. The group has since raised more than $45,000 for TNC.  (Update: After the fall 2015 event, the group has raised more than $65,000)
 
“The mission of the Junior Ambassador program is to raise funds for and awareness of TNC and its important role in conserving the land and waterways around us, as well as volunteering for the organization,” says Ashleigh. For example, the group of teens sells tickets to the Oak Leaf Awards every year and runs all of the children’s programs at the annual event, which always includes a variety of family-friendly entertainment and outdoor activities. Some of the activities, including nature-inspired crafts, teach children about different types of animal tracks, trees and plants.
 
In its second year, Ashleigh and Karl helped to recruit new Junior Ambassadors and the program grew, attracting the attention of students at area schools, including Brookdale Community College and Colts Neck High School. The group has gone from raising approximately $3,000 in its first year to more than $22,000 during the 2014-15 school year.
 
The Zugels’ youngest child, Lucia—also a junior ambassador, decided when she was in third grade that she wanted to design and sell T-shirts at the Oak Leaf Awards event. She sold them with her friend, fellow Ranney student Emma Blumenkrantz (Colts Neck), ultimately raising $800. They sold shirts again in 2014, raising more than $2,000 for TNC. “It was amazing that an 8-year-old could envision and follow through with her idea and the help of her friend,” says sister Ashleigh. 
 
“I feel it is important that, regardless of age, everyone make an effort to protect the world we live in for future generations. No matter how small the act, we can all make a difference,” adds Ashleigh.
 
The Oak Leaf Awards will be held at Stillwell Farms from 12-3 p.m. on October 18. Visit the TNC’s website for details.
 
 
Junior Ambassadors (2012-2015):
Ashleigh Conroy-Zugel (Holmdel) – 4 years, Ranney School
Lucia Zugel (Holmdel) – 4 years, Ranney School
Karl Brand (Holmdel) – 4 years, Ranney School
Daniel Blumenkrantz (Colts NecK) – 3 years, Ranney School
Lily Blumenkrantz (Colts Neck) – 1 year, Ranney School
Emma Blumenkrantz (Colts Neck) – 2 years, Ranney School
Isabelle Heckler (Colts Neck) – 2 years, Ranney School
Madison Chamas (Millstone Twp) -3 years, Ranney School
Lily Thatcher (Holmdel) – 3 years, Ranney School
Rob Odell (Toms River) – 2 years, Ranney School
Madalyn Denton (Spring Lake) – 2 years, Ranney School
Christine Yost (Little Silver) – 2 years, Ranney School
Erin Kennedy (Spring Lake) – 2 years, Ranney School
Gabrielle Ngyenm – 2 years - Biotechnology High School
Mackenzie Briscoe – 3 years – Colts Neck High School
Terence (TJ) Briscoe– 2 years – Colts Neck High School
Itzel Duarte – 3 years, Brookdale Community College
Francis Ahmed – 3 years, Brookdale Community College
Ian Bender – 2 years, The Hill School 

Photo: The Junior Amabassadors in  2014
Back

Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.