202 - Mosquito Control Trials and Tribulations in New Jersey: Balancing Research, Operations, and Public Service in Challenging Times

Abstract: For more than a century, the New Jersey Mosquito Control Association (NJMCA) has served as a model for integrating science, operations, and public engagement within a statewide framework. New Jersey’s diverse ecology ranging from coastal salt marshes to densely populated urban centers pose unique challenges for vector management, now further complicated by fiscal constraints. Despite these pressures, NJMCA and its member agencies have sustained critical programs through collaboration, innovation, and shared resources.

This presentation will highlight how New Jersey’s county-based system, guided by scientific expertise and supported by the New Jersey State Mosquito Control Commission, continues to deliver evidence-based mosquito management under tightening budgets. Key strategies include shared equipment use, collaborative training, and data-driven surveillance programs that leverage academic partnerships and standardized reporting systems.

Beyond operations, NJMCA prioritizes professional development, public outreach, and advocacy to ensure that local programs remain visible, effective, and accountable. By fostering strong relationships among researchers, program directors, field crews, and policymakers, New Jersey has built a resilient framework that balances operational needs with long-term sustainability. The “New Jersey Model” demonstrates how interagency cooperation and scientific guidance can preserve operational capacity and public trust, even in an era of government cutbacks.