ANJEC 2024 Environmental Achievement Awards
The ANJEC Environmental Achievement Award program recognizes exceptional projects carried out by environmental commissions and groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AWARDS
Evesham Township Environmental Commission(EC) — 2023 Open Space and Recreation Plan Element of the Master Plan
The Evesham Township Community Development Office updated the municipal Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) element of the Master Plan, taking over two years to complete. The adopted OSRP exceeds the minimum requirements of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Acres program, serving as a visionary document to guide both preservation and park development goals to meet the needs of the community. The open space and recreation goals and objectives focus on protecting and preserving Evesham’s natural resources, its agricultural heritage and scenic views, while expanding and connecting preserved open spaces and providing recreational opportunities for residents.
Madison Borough Climate Action Committee — Climate Hub on Borough Website
Recognizing that local action is critical to the success of New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan, Madison established a Climate Action Committee in 2022. The Committee works with Borough department heads to take into account climate goals in all facets of decision making. In 2023 the Committee broadened its outreach and launched an online Climate Hub (www.rosenet.org/1468/Climate-Hub) to inform residents and encourage them to take action. Hosted on the town’s website, the Climate Hub details actions for the five major categories in the Borough Council’s 2023 Climate Action Report, which was adopted in January of 2023. The categories are: 1) reduce transportation emissions; 2) accelerate renewable and clean energy; 3) improve energy efficiency and affordability; 4) reduce building emissions through electrification; and 5) build climate resilience.
Princeton Environmental Commission — Green House Tour
In September 2024, the Princeton Environmental Commission hosted a tour and event showcasing healthier, more energy-efficient homes and environments through green building practices, such as solar panels with energy storage, rain gardens, superior insulation, and much more. The two-day event allowed visitors to attend in-person house tours while engaging in dialogue with the owners, or to hear a presentation at the Princeton Public Library with a panel of homeowners, contractors and experts. The videos featured in the presentation are housed on the municipality’s YouTube channel to serve as a resource for the community.
Raritan Township Environmental Commission — Food Waste Recycling and Composting
The Raritan Township Environmental Commission and Green Team partnered with Neighborhood Compost and two local farmers’ markets, Stangl Market and Hunterdon Land Trust Market, to host weekly compost collections. With a $10,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey/PSEG Foundation and a handful of volunteers, the EC was able to implement a free household food waste collection program from June 2023 to May 2024. The program collected 6 ¼ tons of food waste from 115 households, demonstrating enough interest in food waste to enable the EC to recruit One Compost Can to take over the weekly collection in May at the Hunterdon Land Trust market at reasonable cost to those wishing to continue with the program.
Somerville Borough Environmental Commission — Peters Brook Tree Planting through NJ DEP Grant
As heavy rain events become more frequent, the Somerville Environmental Commission has worked hard to mitigate flood damage in partnership with the Borough and the DEP in the tributary of Peters Brook. This area takes the brunt of storm water flooding in Somerville, which results in severe erosion and instability of its banks, further burdening the river system down-stream. The EC worked to replace the trees lost during past hurricanes along the riparian buffer zone to mitigate the effects of inland flooding. The newly presented reforestation project will plant approximately 150 trees in four parks, at street intersections, and along the greenway of Peters Brook.
Spring Lake Heights Environmental Commission — Logo Design Contest
In an effort to increase community engagement, the Environmental Commission worked with the Spring Lake Heights Elementary School (K-8) to create a logo for the EC through a design contest. School staff and EC members judged the entries and, in June 2024, two winners were chosen who collaborated to create the final design. Through this partnership, the EC, elementary school staff, and the students themselves are excited to involve the children in future environmental projects, knowing how their inclusion will make a positive and lasting impact on the town and will open the door to many future projects and collaborations.
Toms River Township Environmental Commission — Beach, Butterflies and Bees
In 2023 Environmental Commissioner Sharon Quilter was in search of a unique project to complete her Rutgers Environmental Stewardship certification and, when walking Ortley beach, she spotted the sand and weeds between the parking lot and the boardwalk, and she imagined a pollinator garden. The Toms River Environmental Commission embraced the project and, with a grant from the American Water Company and help from the Ortley Beach Voter’s and Taxpayers Association, hard-working volunteers, the Township and Ocean County, the project took shape. Plants were carefully selected to bloom from April until October and residents and visitors have delighted in the garden’s existence.
Watchung Borough Environmental Commission — Riparian Buffer Restoration
In early 2022, the Watchung Environmental Commission identified an area adjacent to a local lake in need of tree planting and native riparian vegetation. With the Borough’s approval, the EC created a plan that included planting native trees, shrubs and flowering plants along the stream to help with flood control, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife such as birds and other pollinators. The area was enlarged in 2023 and again in 2024 with more large trees as well as an educational sign informing the public about the riparian zone, the native vegetation and the benefits of the restoration.
Westville Borough Environmental Commission — Environmental Resource Inventory
In 2021, Westville Environmental Commission members attended an ANJEC webinar explaining the contents and value of an Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI.) Shortly afterward, the Commission petitioned the mayor and council to use state grant funds to create an ERA for Westville. The project was approved by all involved and later that year the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) was awarded the contract. After numerous hours and a three-hour bus tour of the Borough, the ERI was completed in July 2024. The Commission is especially proud of the EC logo that was designed by member Jeff Storms, which is displayed on the cover page. The ERI can be found online at www.dvrpc.org/products/22180.
RECURRING PROJECT AWARDS
AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program — Projects in the Parks 2024
Now in its fourth year, the legacy initiative Projects in The Parks is a stewardship program planned and coordinated by AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors during the month of March in partnership with a New Jersey state park, forest, or historic site. The initiative has included invasive species removal, trash clean-ups, rain barrel sales, tree plantings, and maintenance or cleanup of pollinator gardens. With an increased presence across the state during National AmeriCorps Week—the second week of March— Projects in the Parks is timed to improve our state parks before the busy spring season.
Chester Township Environmental Commission — Native Plant Sale
Dormant for almost a decade due to a lack of volunteer help, the Chester Township Environmental Commission revived its native plant sale in 2023. The second annual sale occurred this past May. Through the dedication of volunteers and Julie Gause’s leadership, 300 plants were sold. Positive feedback from Township residents and beyond reminded the community of the popularity and necessity of a native plant in the area.
NONPROFIT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Advocates Transforming Landscaping in New Jersey (ATL-NJ) — Lets Transform Landscaping in New Jersey
ATL-NJ was formed in January of 2020 to support a shared desire to reduce the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and other two-stroke lawn maintenance equipment as well as to promote sustainable landscaping practices. The goal of ATL-NJ is to support members’ local efforts (i.e. education, ordinance development, etc.) and advocate for statewide legislation. The group meets on a quarterly basis and over the past year has testified before the NJ Senate Environment and Energy Committee, held virtual educational sessions, and created a Sustainable Landscape checklist that is available in both English and Spanish.
East Brunswick Hadassah, East Brunswick Sustainability Task Force, East Brunswick Public Library and Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission — Food Choices for a Small Planet
In May 2024, the East Brunswick Hadassah, East Brunswick Sustainability Task Force, East Brunswick Public Library, and Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission hosted an in-person event titled Food Choices for a Small Planet: Sustainable Diet and Food Waste Practices for Families and Communities. This hybrid event took place at the East Brunswick Public Library as well as online via Zoom. It featured a forum of four Rutgers faculty members discussing how to prevent food waste and decrease the consumption of meat at home, school and work. One lucky participant won a book titled, “Cook More, Waste Less,” and the participants enjoyed sustainable, healthy snacks before and after the presentation.
Fair Haven Borough Green Team — Third Street Trail Pollinator Garden
Fair Haven’s Third Street is a frequented passageway that connects the Borough’s elementary school to the middle school. It is adjacent to three open spaces, one of which is the Third Street Trail connecting pedestrians to the Borough’s sports fields and recreation areas. In 2022 the trail had been overlooked for a long time and overgrown with invasive plants when volunteers took charge and planted over 113 native trees after removing the invasives. This pathway inspired the Fair Haven Green Team to plant a pollinator garden along the route later that year and educated residents on native plants and pollinators, their plight and importance.
Musconetcong Watershed Association — Musconetcong Island Park
In January 2023, the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) demolished a former two-story concrete abandoned laboratory in Asbury with a vision of creating a park. Formerly Asbury Carbons on a quarter-acre parcel in the middle of the Musconetcong River, the piece was deeded to MWA who secured funding to document the history of the area and build a new public park in the middle of the River. Since its opening in April 2023, Musconetcong Island Park has become a favorite spot for parties, plant sales, fishing events and other river-related activities. The park is connected to the Asbury Historic District in Franklin and Bethlehem Townships by a sidewalk on County Road 643.
Northern New Jersey Community Foundation — Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice
Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice is a diverse collaborative initiative designed to reduce flooding and address other environmental issues in Hackensack. Its goal is to make the city greener, cleaner, healthier, more beautiful and more sustainable for everyone. The program is led by the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF), in partnership with the City of Hackensack, Hackensack Public Schools, Greater Bergen Community Action, and several community-based organizations in Hackensack. Since March 2023, more than 200 people have gotten involved in rain garden installations, education on rain barrels and environmental art projects.
Social Responsibility Through Me — Community Health and Clean Air Project
The Community Health and Clean Air Project is a vital initiative conducted by Camden nonprofit organization Social Responsibility Through Me (SRTM) in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and Rutgers University. This research-driven effort is dedicated to analyzing air quality in Camden City and empowering community members with the knowledge and tools necessary to address and manage poor air quality. An important goal of the project is to build strong coalitions among existing environmental justice initiatives in Camden and, through these efforts, the Community Health and Clean Air project seeks to foster a healthier, more informed and proactive community capable of advocating for its environmental rights and wellbeing.
Somerset County Office of Emergency Management — Reforestation Efforts to Build a More Resilient Somerset County
Through the New Jersey American Water environmental grant program, the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was granted funds to reforest a floodplain in the Weston section of Manville where the Royce Brook runs before joining the Millstone River. Natural stormwater “storage areas” were created by planting a total of 280 native trees and shrubs to help with runoff while providing clean water, habitat and food for wildlife.
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