Commission Achievements 2006-2010
Successful local initiatives help protect natural resources, health and open spaces
2006-2010 Environmental Commission Achievements
Achievement Topics
Environmental Commissions
2006-2009 Environmental Commission Achievements
Asbury Park (Monmouth) 2007
Berkeley Heights (Union) 2006
Bethlehem Township (Hunterdon) 2006, 2007
Bradley Beach (Monmouth) 2009
Cape May Point (Cape May) 2010
Cape May Point (Cape May) 2009
Chatham Township (Morris) 2008
Cranford (Union) 2006
Cresskill (Bergen) 2009
East Brunswick (Middlesex) 2006
Elk (Gloucester) 2007
Egg Harbor (Atlantic) 2006
Fanwood (Union) 2009
Hawthorne (Bergen) 2008
Long Hill (Morris) 2007
Manalapan Township (Monmouth) 2010
Mendham Township (Morris) 2006
Millburn (Essex) 2006
Millstone (Somerset) 2010
Montgomery (Somerset) 2009
Montville (Morris) 2008
Princeton Joint, Township & Borough (Mercer) 2008
Roxbury (Morris) 2010
Southampton (Burlington) 2010
Summit (Union) 2007
Verona (Essex) 2009
Voorhees (Camden) 2010
Washington Twp (Gloucester) 2007
Westville (Gloucester) 2010
Westville (Gloucester) 2009
West Amwell (Hunterdon) 2008
Woolwich (Gloucester) 2007
Woodbridge (Middlesex) 2010
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONS
Asbury Park (Monmouth) Environment & Shade Tree Commission (2007)A reactivated and re-energized Shade Tree Commission, now the Environment and Shade Tree Commission, is a partner in Asbury Park’s recent renaissance. Believing that restoration of the city’s tree canopy would raise residents’ morale and neighborhood pride, the commission, working with the Sierra Club’s Cool City Program and over 300 volunteers, planted 1,250 trees throughout the city’s residential areas and recreational spaces. The commission used door hangers to announce public meetings that informed residents about the project, which promoted partnerships among the City Council, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the school system, and led to a Memorial Tree Program, a Community Garden subcommittee and a weekly column in the local newspaper.
Berkeley Heights (Union) Environmental Commission (2006)
Using an ANJEC CD, the Commission produced a 30-minute Stormwater Basics video to help meet NJDEP educational requirements. Aired three times a week in August and September 2006 on the local community access channel’s Spotlight on Berkeley Heights program, the video covers
- The need to protect water;
- The importance of local watersheds;
- How to reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff on local properties;
- The key role of trees to absorb excess nutrients and other pollutants, anchor the soil to reduce
erosions and diminish economic loss from flooding.
Bethlehem Township (Hunterdon) Environmental Commission (2006)
Working with the North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development Council (NJRC&D) the Commission put together a five acre riparian buffer planting project on Warren Rod & Gun Club property along the Wild and Scenic Musconetcong River. The buffer aims to help filter runoff from adjacent farmed property and to shade trout maintenance waters. NJRC&D obtained a $23,000 grant to install 1,250 trees and 250 shrubs, increasing the buffer from as little as 75 feet to 100-200 feet. The Commission recruited 40 volunteers to water, mulch and weed the area following a professional contractor’s installation and continues to monitor and implement a five-year maintenance program.
Bethlehem Township (Hunterdon) Environmental Commission (2007)
Because many township residents come from more built-up areas and are not
used to rural living, the Commission decided to create a document that would
explain country realities such as wells, septic systems, and coexisting
with wildlife. The result, after three years of research and writing, was
“Country Wisdom,” a 40-page 8 ½" x 11" booklet
that provides information about the town’s natural resources and ordinances,
and gives practical advice about living and in harmony with, the country.
With the exception of printing and distribution, members of the Commission
did all work on the document.
Bradley Beach (Monmouth) 2009
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 Environmental Commission - Triangle Park Rain Garden (2010)
Under the leadership of the Environmental Commission, the site of a neglected historical monument that had become an eyesore and embarrassment was transformed into a pocket park and rain garden that now attracts garden and butterfly tours. The Commission recruited volunteers to plan the garden and raised funds to plant and maintain it. In the process, they had to remove a large concrete pad. The rain garden features a solar-powered bird fountain, a donated boat transformed into a planter, and many species of native plants that provide food and habitat for wildlife and local and migratory birds. The Triangle Park Rain Garden won the town’s 2010 Community Service Award for the project.
Cape May Point (Cape May) 2009
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.
Chatham
Township (Morris) (2008)
After persuading the town council to support the US Mayors' Climate Protection
Agreement, the Chatham Environmental Commission followed up by carrying
out the first action step of the Agreement - developing an Emissions Inventory
for township operations. An important task, it established a baseline for
setting greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and monitoring progress.
An energy subcommittee of the Environmental Commission worked with the township
administrator to record energy usage from bills and budget records. Using
recognized protocols, the Commission translated natural gas, motor vehicle
fuel and electricity units into carbon dioxide emissions. The Inventory
presents CO2 emissions and energy cost information, and includes some recommendations
for action. The Commission presented the Inventory to the township committee,
which responded by making a commitment to investigate and implement energy-saving
projects. The township has hired an architect to propose energy upgrades
for the Administration Building.
Cranford (Union) EnvironmentalCommission (2006)
Thanks to the Commission’s efforts over several years, in November 2005 the Cranford Township Committee enacted the first New Jersey municipal ordinance to require sustainable building standards for new township construction and existing buildings, based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Working with the Township Committee for several years on sustainability, the Commission conducted research, carried out an education program for officials, and proposed the ordinance. Cranford also encourages the use of LEED standards in redevelopment projects by offering density bonuses.
Cresskill (Bergen) 2009
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.
East Brunswick (Middlesex) Environmental Commission (2006)
To educate the public and gain support for environmental initiatives, the Commission created a web site in January 2005 to reach residents and inform them of the Commission’s many activities and events including lectures, bird counts, butterfly park walks and moth night events. Publicity through newspaper articles and GOOGLE searches quickly attracted site users, including more than 200 e-mail subscribers. Within the first year, the Commission expanded the website to include environmental travel information, photo scrapbook pages and video clips for people to display their nature pictures. The website has more than 170 links and by September 2006 hits grew to 11,000, including people from all 50 states, Washington, DC and 65 countries. The Commission is working on web versions of field guides and anticipating increasing use of the website.
Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic) Environmental Commission (2006)
The Commission obtained permission from the township to dedicate an old closed 14.7-acre landfill in the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) area as a township arboretum with passive recreation for local residents. The Commission
- Developed a phased plan;
- Partnered with the township’s alternative high school to obtain volunteers and teach students valuable work and life skills;
- Constructed a shed to house their library of recycled nature and gardening books and a museum of found old bottles;
- Designed and built a handicap accessible observation deck;
- Developed a curriculum to introduce young children to the great outdoors in a quiet, non-threatening way.
With funding from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation to support learning experience on the use of solar power and construction, the Commission and students researched, designed a unique building with a handicapped accessible composting toilet, a work room and water tank. They also installed solar panels and drilled a totally solar-powered well. Future projects include creation of a solar-powered workroom on the site, a gazebo and greenhouse.
Elk
Township (Gloucester) Environmental Commission (2007)
Since its establishment in June 2006, this busy new commission
- Developed a township map, available on the municipal website, showing preserved open space and farmland;
- Reviewed development applications;
- Prepared ordinances for tree protection, Phase I site assessments, soil removal, and agricultural buffers;
- Advised the Township Committee and zoning officer on issues including a wetlands violation; and
- Planned and carried out the Township's first Arbor Day.
Fanwood (Union) 2009
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.
Hawthorne
Borough (Passaic) (2008)
The Hawthorne Environmental Commission worked with its mayor and council
and a local Eagle Scout to fund and implement improvements to Eight Acre
Woods, a natural area owned by the borough. The Commission's goal was to
increase environmental awareness among residents through opportunities to
experience nature and view wildlife at the site. The Commission obtained
donations of goods and services from local merchants, including a printer
who made trail signs using recycled materials and low-VOC inks. The Commission
and volunteers conducted a cleanup, cleared and marked trails, posted trail
maps at various locations in the Woods, and installed recycled-plastic benches
and trash and recycling receptacles. They celebrated at a well-attended
ribbon cutting ceremony when the work was complete.
Long Hill Township (Morris) Environmental Commission (2007)
Based on its experience reviewing and commenting on development applications, the Environmental Commission saw a need for a standard advisory document that would help applicants understand and address common environmental issues before getting to the Planning or Zoning Board review stage. The Commission developed an Applicant Handout for Environmental Issues that explains common issues that arise during review, such as stormwater runoff, steep slopes, wetlands, flooding, and plant/animal habitat. The Handout offers suggestions on Best Management Practices including reduction of impervious cover, planting of native species and elimination of curbing. The Planning Board and Township Committee approved the Handout, which is now part of the packet applicants receive at the start of a building project.
Manalapan Township Environmental Commission - Green Matters in Manalapan: a television series
To reach a broader audience, provide environmental education and promote “greener” behavior, the Environmental Commission created a television series for the local cable TV station. Commission members developed the content, wrote scripts and helped edit the programs. They invited high school environmental club members to participate in the shows. The first three episodes focused on using compact fluorescent bulbs to conserve energy, building a rain garden and curbside recycling, which included a David Letterman-style “Top 10 Reasons to Recycle.”
Mendham Township (Morris) Environmental Commission (2006)
After completing a comprehensive inventory, mapping, title and tax map investigation of approximately 70 conservation easements between 1998 and 2000, the Commission embarked on a project involving owner education and baseline inspection. In 2005, commissioners
- Reviewed and updated the previous easement records, creating a folder of information for each of the 167 lots with an existing easement;
- Drafted a letter to property owners, a monitoring form, and a brochure on conservation easements; and
- Hired a professional forester who would do the actual inspections.
A pilot mailing to a small group of property owners yielded 20 successful inspections. Individual follow-up letters informed owners of any significant problems. Each conservation easement file now contains a complete baseline set of information.
Millstone Township (Somerset)Environmental Commission – Threatened & Endangered Species Protection ordinance
To protect the environmentally sensitive community of Millstone Township (at the headwaters of the Assunpink with extensive wetlands), the Environmental Commission undertook, with the support of the Township Committee, a mission to protect the local threatened and endangered species and their habitats. The Commission spent three years researching the areas and ways to protect them. With advice from their consultant, they developed an ordinance that strictly protects the T and E habitat, and that the Township Committee unanimously passed in 2010.
Montgomery (Somerset) 2009
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.
Montville
Township (Morris) (2008)
Montville's Environmental Commission celebrated Earth Week by hosting a
town-wide electronics recycling day. Working with the Key Club and the Paramus
Women's Club, the Commission publicized the event using educational press
releases about the importance of electronics recycling. Residents enjoyed
refreshments and received receipts for the electronic material they turned
in. The township collected a total of 18,000 lbs. of electronics, diverting
them from the trash stream. The recycler - Urban Renewal of Newark - refurbished
and donated 11 of the laptops turned in that day to Montville, which then
donated them to soldiers being deployed to Iraq, so they could keep in touch
with folks back home. The town had a special presentation for the soldiers.
Princeton
Joint (Mercer) - township and borough (2008)
In November 2007, approximately 400 Princeton-area residents participated
in a community tour event organized by the Princeton Joint Environmental
Commission. The tour featured homes, gardens and commercial buildings that
exemplify environmental sustainability strategies including renewable energy,
energy conservation, Integrated Pest Management and rain gardens. The goal
was to introduce residents to practical green building ideas, explore cost
effectiveness, and demonstrate which approaches can be incorporated into
new projects or as part of a retrofit. Builders, suppliers and landscapers
who worked on the projects were present at each of the 5 sites on the tour
to answer questions and talk about the sustainable features they employed.
The Commission publicized the tour with posters, fliers and press releases
explaining the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) standards.
Roxbury Township (Morris) Environmental Commission - Community garden
The initiative to create a community garden on eight acres of Township-owned open space began in January 2007 under the Environmental Commission’s leadership. The Commission researched nearby community gardens and recognized an opportunity to encourage organic growing on land that had not been farmed for some years. Genesis Farms of Blairstown educated the Commission on best practices for organic community gardening and a local Master Gardener advised on soil testing. Local businesses donated time and equipment to install water lines and fencing. After a ribbon cutting on Earth Day, 2009, the garden operated at full capacity in its first season.
Southampton Environmental Commission - Rural Sustainability Plan
The Commission applied for and received a NJ Department of Community Affairs grant of $50,000 to develop a 20-Year Rural Sustainability Plan for the Township. In addition to administering the grant, coordinating professional consultants, and hosting six community visioning meetings, Commission members wrote the Carrying Capacity Report and the 2009 ERI that provided the basis for the final product, a Rural Sustainabiltiy Plan Vision 2030. The Planning Board adopted the Plan into Southampton’s Master Plan, and it received an Achievement in Planning Award from NJ Planning Officials in March 2010. Commission members estimate that they contributed over 1000 hours of labor to this project.
Summit City (Union) Environmental Commission (2007)
The commission participated in the Summit Clean Power Team with the NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to raise local residents’ awareness and encourage enrollment in New Jersey’s Clean Power Choice Program, which allows consumers to purchase energy from renewable sources by paying a small premium. The Team created and implemented a town-wide campaign that connected participation in Clean Power Choice with global climate protection, energy conservation, recycling and sustainable habits. The result was an increase of enrollment from 55 to 130 Summit households in less than a year.
Verona (Essex) 2009
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.
Voorhees Township Environmental Commission - Open Space Enhancement Plan
The Voorhees Environmental Commission observed that many of the 140 Township-owned open land parcels were not being utilized or appreciated, due to a lack of public awareness, access or maintenance. The Commission worked with a consultant to inventory, map, inspect and assess the town’s open spaces. They recommended 150 neighborhood-centered enhancement projects including parking, removal of fallen trees, and informational signage and outreach, as well as low-impact activity facilities suitable for the underserved senior population, trails and bike pathway connections to encourage physical activity and non-motorized transportation, and suggestions for corporate and volunteer support for the town’s open space network.
Washington Township (Gloucester) Environmental Commission (2007)
Working with the school district and the township Municipal Utilities Authority
(MUA), the Commission hosted a day-long educational event for fourth graders,
to convey the importance of water resources for environmental and human
health. The agenda included a presentation by an Academy of Natural Sciences
representative about the adaptations specific species make to live in water
and a bus trip to the town’s water tower where students were surprised
to learn that water storage was at the top, utilizing gravity power to deliver
water. Students visited six stations in the base of the tower, each manned
by volunteers, including the Delaware River Basin Commission, the MUA, the
Environmental Commission, the US Geological Survey and the South Jersey
Land and Water Trust.
West
Amwell (Hunterdon) (2008)
Over 19 months, the members of the West Amwell Environmental Commission
donated over 400 hours of their time and talents to update the town's Natural
Resources Inventory (NRI). Without the help of any paid consultants, the
Commission collected data and materials from state and county agencies,
nearby towns and nonprofit organizations to revise their 30-year-old NRI.
A local environmental nonprofit organization reviewed the draft revised
NRI gratis. When the NRI was nearly complete, an anonymous donor offered
to cover the cost of publishing the document, which the Commission is also
distributing on CD.
Westville (Gloucester)- Conservation education and erosion control projects
The Commission decided to use two of their previous construction projects, a rain garden and a butterfly garden in a well-visited park, to encourage residents to create conservation projects in their own backyards. The Commission hosted a Rutgers Rain Garden Seminar, with free starter plants for the 22 attendees, and a Butterfly Garden seminar. Another 80 people heard talks on the Rain and Butterfly Gardens as part of the Woodbury House and Garden Tour. The Commission also worked with the county park and public works staff to correct severe stream erosion problems along the Butterfly Garden. Corrective action included establishing a five-foot no-mow zone and stabilization of the bank with Coir logs planted with native plants. The Commission funded the plantings and provided labor to secure the plants in the logs.
Westville (Gloucester) 2009
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.
Woodbridge Twp. Environmental Commission – Greenable Woodbridge
As envisioned by the Woodbridge Township Environmental Commission, “Greenable Woodbridge” is an effort to engage the entire community in becoming directly involved in taking responsibility for creating an energy efficient present and future. The Commission engaged businesses, volunteers and Township employees in a partnership effort to accomplish a number of activities: a “Greenable Woodbridge” guide on the Township website, a 20-page “Green News” edition of the Woodbridge News, organizing a series of public outreach programs for businesses, students and residents, and coordinating with a special School District Green Team to implement sustainability in the schools, with Green Teams operating in each of the district’s 24 elementary, middle and high schools.
Woolwich Township (Gloucester) Environmental Commission (2007)
In an effort to reduce waste, promote efficient resource use, and prolong the life of landfills, the Commission worked with the county recycling coordinator, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, trash haulers, and recycling market representatives to develop an ordinance requiring reuse or recycling of at least 65 percent of a project’s construction and demolition debris. Applicants for construction or demolition permits must approximate the amount of debris a project will generate, and submit information on the actual amounts disposed of and recycled. The Woolwich Township Committee adopted the ordinance in April 2007.
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