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Commission Achievements

Successful local initiatives help protect natural resources, health and open spaces

Apply for 2010 ANJEC Environmental Achievement Award, Applications due September 10, 2010

2009 Commission Achievements

Achievement Topics 2006-2009

2006-2008 Environmental Commission Achievements


2009 Environmental Achievement Awards

 

Bradley Beach (Monmouth)

In 2008 and 2009, the Commission worked on Rain Garden Construction with Monmouth County Master Gardeners, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, NJ Department of Public Works (DPW), the school board, Shade Tree Commission and the Bradley Beach School Eco-Club to design and plant a 1400 square feet rain garden and outdoor classroom along the school's perimeter fence. The project required pavement removal and soil excavation. The group obtained project funding from the NJ Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership.

Cape May Point (Cape May)
To create its Nature Guide, the Commission obtained funding from Cape May Point Taxpayers Association and the Cape May Point Civic Club. The full-color 12"x 24" folded brochure includes a reference map of the town and directions for two routes -- a Neighborhood Walk and a Beach Walk. The brochure explains the natural features to look for along each tour route, and includes many photos of the abundant bird and beach life, points of interest and a concise history of Cape May Point.

Cresskill (Bergen)
To increase environmental stewardship for the Earthfest 2009, the Commission partnered with the Cresskill Educational Foundation on a celebration of Earth Day 2009, the first for Cresskill. They obtained participation from over 35 environmental or green exhibitors, provided displays and posters with green tips, a bike ride, a fun walk and clean-up of a nearby field and stream. The Earthfest attracted nearly 500 people, of which 150 participated in the bike ride and/or fun walk. They sold over 200 Earthfest t-shirts and reusable water bottles and over 150 reusable grocery bags. The $2,500 earned from sale of food and drinks was donated to the Educational Foundation.

Fanwood (Union)
In response to the Commission's request for help in creating a monarch butterfly sanctuary in the Fanwood Nature Center, Boy Scout Andrew Van Haasteren took on the garden as his Eagle Scout project for a Monarch Butterfly Way station. Consulting with the Commission, a Master Gardener and a Butterfly Garden Expert, Andrew devised a plan and organized volunteers to establish the habitat. A publicity campaign encouraged local businesses and residents to donate compost and vegetable discards. Master Gardeners of Union County donated plants and 42 volunteers helped plant 27 species in the 800 square feet plot, which has been certified as a Monarch Way Station. By summer 2008, 15 monarch caterpillars were spotted on the flowering plants. The Commission prepared an informative website and CD to promote the Way station.

Montgomery (Somerset)
The Commission organized the fourth community Earth Day celebration to provide education about environmentally friendly practices. Coordinated with the Rotary annual run, the fair attracted a record number of vendors, music from several bands, and a clown. A key event was collection of over 8,000 pounds of computers and electronics for recycling. Residents learned about services offered by local businesses and organizations like the Shade Tree Commission, Sustainability and Open Space Committees, Sourland Planning Council and Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association.

Verona (Essex)
In 2004, to encourage recycling at the town's schools, the Environmental Commission created a five-page guide and started a pilot paper recycling project in an elementary school. Since then, the Commission has expanded the program each year, adding other schools in Verona. Recycling collection has grown from one ton of paper in 2005 to an estimated seven tons of paper in 2009, collected from all six schools in town. In 2009, the commission added aluminum, plastic and glass to the recycling program.

Westville (Gloucester)
Adding beauty and art to natural preservation, the Commission restored a pond in a public park to demonstrate non-structural stormwater techniques, create habitat for honey bees and butterflies, and provide basking areas for the turtle population. The DPW provided the needed materials for Boy Scout Troop 40 to construct the turtle basking area. To protect the riparian area (2,000 square feet) adjacent to the pond, the Commission got funding from a local business for materials and planted the area according to a design by a landscape architect who volunteered services. The Commission received a grant for an elementary school mural project where the children painted the wildlife scenes that grace the entry to the Butterfly Garden. The Commission also worked with Rutgers, the Board of Education, NJ Department of Public Works (DPW), Master Gardeners and volunteers to construct a 242 square feet rain garden to control stormwater runoff.


Achievement Topics 2006-2009


Local Environmental Education

New Environmental Commissions

Open Space and Natural Areas

Recycling

Sustainability

Trees and Forest Areas

Water Resources


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