Days after wildfire smoke from Canada forced Camden County to cancel outdoor events and issue Code Red health warnings, the county's own Air Quality Committee has earned statewide recognition for its work on the problem.

The Camden County Air Quality Committee received the 2026 Community Impact Award from the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition, the county announced Wednesday. The award honors organizations that have excelled at engaging their community on sustainability and clean energy.

Cherry Hill Councilwoman Sangita Doshi accepted the award on behalf of the committee, writing on LinkedIn that she was "proud to accept the NJ Clean Cities Community Impact Award" in recognition of the group's efforts to educate residents about clean transportation and air quality.

Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, who serves as the county liaison to the Department of Parks and Environmental Affairs Division, said the recognition reflects two years of sustained effort.

"This award reflects the dedication of our Air Quality Committee over the past two years to making Camden County a healthier, more sustainable place to live, work, and play," Nash said in the county's announcement.

Committee members behind the award

The committee was established in 2024 and includes more than 80 members, mostly Camden County residents and environmental experts, according to county meeting minutes from August 2025. The panel advises the Board of Commissioners and municipal partners on sustainable transportation, emissions reduction and turning regional clean-energy goals into local policy.

Named members who contributed to the award-winning work include Nash, Doshi, Sean Mohen, Dr. Lisa Cerceo, Pete Fontaine, Brad Molotsky and Renee Pollard, according to Doshi's LinkedIn post.

In August 2025, the commissioners approved a contract with Gabel Associates, LLC not to exceed $98,700 to develop an Air Quality Roadmap for the county.

Nash described the committee's scope at the August 20, 2025 commissioners meeting: the group is "exploring different ways that not only Camden County but the municipalities, the Authorities within our jurisdiction and also private sector residents can improve the air quality of our community."

Code Red week underscores the mission

The timing of the award lands just days after residents felt the committee's mission firsthand. On Thursday, July 16, Camden County issued a Code Red Air Quality Alert after smoke drifted south from wildfires in eastern Canada. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection confirmed air pollution levels were unhealthy for sensitive groups.

By Friday, July 17, conditions forced the county to cancel a concert at Lindenwold Park and the Movies with Metro event at Von Nieda Park. CBS News reported the air quality alert extended across New Jersey, New York and Connecticut on July 16 and 17.

The New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition, directed by Caroline McCallum, is a 501(c)(3) affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities and Communities program. The county has not announced the committee's next public meeting.