ANJEC 2025 Environmental Achievement Awards
Presented at the 52nd Annual Environmental Congress
The ANJEC Environmental Achievement Award program recognizes exceptional projects carried out by Environmental Commissions and groups. Applications are submitted yearly to ANJEC for consideration
2025 CANDACE MCKEE ASHMUN ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY AWARD: Theodore Chase
Ted is currently serving on the Franklin Twp. (Somerset County) Environmental Commission where he’s served since 1996. He also served on the Franklin Township Council for more than a decade, where he earned the reputation as the Council’s Environmental Warrior! In addition, Ted contributed his expertise on the township Planning and Zoning Boards for many years, consistently championing environmental protection. Ted inspires his community and all of us around the state with his tireless dedication and commitment to protecting NJ’s natural resources. Ted truly embodies the character and strength of the award’s namesake, Candy Ashmun.
The Candy award began in 2016 in honor of ANJEC’s first director, Candace McKee Ashmun and ANJEC is honored to continue Candy’s legacy for years to come.
Candace McKee Ashmun Award Winners:
- 2016: Sally Dudley
- 2017: Barbara Rich
- 2018: Edward Lloyd
- 2019: Governor James Florio
- 2020: Michele Byers
- 2021: Abigail Fair
- 2022: Judith Enck
- 2023: Sandy Batty
- 2024: Chris Obropta
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AWARDS
Brick Township EC and Mayor Lisa Crate, Ocean County – Pick-up Brick
“Building a cleaner tomorrow for Brick, one cleanup at a time,” is the tagline for Brick’s year-round anti-litter campaign called “Pick-up Brick,” led by the office of Mayor Lisa Crate. A collaboration of the EC and Green Team, the campaign’s two pillars are: education — promoting best practices to reduce litter; and action — to organize 15+ clean-ups per year. Mayor Crate has expanded the program to include local parks and also to focus on the hundreds of acres of preserved land that are difficult to maintain for parks and recreation staff.
Franklin Township EC, Somerset County – Strategic Planning for Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Franklin’s Community Energy Plan is a parent document to a Micromobility Study that began in the Township in 2023. Both the Plan and study have focused on energy efficiency and conservation measures to improve the environment and overall community health. In 2020, the township made a commitment to focus on an underserved community in the northeastern section of the town, and both the Plan and study incorporate this area. These projects demonstrate Franklin Township’s commitment and dedication to energy and natural resources conservation, learning about and addressing the needs of the entire community, and continued strategic planning.
Hainesport Township EC and Committeewoman Anna Evans, Burlington County- Environmental Resource Inventory
Hainesport’s Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) was nearing 24 years old when the EC, along with the town’s Green Team, embarked on the project of updating it with support of Committeewoman Anna Evans. The 160-page document was developed with NJ-GeoWeb and NJ Map mapping tools and is accessible within the EC section of the Township’s website. By using volunteer hours, the Township paid nearly nothing.
Madison Borough EC, Morris County- Neighborhood Pollinator Conversations
Members of the Madison EC decided that education wouldn’t be enough to convince residents in suburban New Jersey to adapt their front yards to include pollinator habitats. Instead, they began “Neighborhood Pollinator Conversations” where those with existing pollinator gardens would promote front yard pollinator habitats with native plants by inviting their neighbors to a talk. Six events have been held so far reaching about 120 community members; they were held in advance of the Great Swamp Watershed Association’s native plant sale, enabling guests to purchase after learning the basics.
Princeton EC, Mercer County- Green Development Checklist
Princeton launched its first Green Development Checklist (GDCL) in 2013 whereby developers would answer questions pertaining to environmental protection with either “yes” or “no” but were not required to explain why. Ten years later, a task force of three EC members worked to update and improve the checklist to more accurately reflect the sustainably goals most important to the municipality and EC by adding “why” or “why not” to each question. After the revised checklist was adopted, the task force created accompanying documents to further educate developers by explaining why each item on the checklist is important to environmental protection
Roxbury Township EC, Morris County- Black River Park and the Raritan Woods and Waterways Grant
Black River Park has long been treasured in Roxbury Township for its hiking trails and pond. In 2024 the commission became aware of an available opportunity called the Raritan Woods and Waterways Grant offered to restore the natural buffers along the North and South Branches of the Raritan River and their tributaries, including where Black River Pond is located. The grant was awarded in 2024 and plantings were installed in 2025 by a volunteer coalition of EC, Rotary Club and community members, as well as township officials.
NONPROFIT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Beyond Plastics New Jersey- Skip the Stuff Campaign
Beyond Plastics New Jersey is the local chapter of the national Beyond Plastics, a grassroots environmental team focused on the reduction of single-use plastics through education and legislative change at the state and local levels. One priority initiative is the “Skip the Stuff” campaign, where plastic cutlery and condiment packages are only provided to customers upon request. This approach saves establishments money and reduces single-use waste. Beyond Plastics New Jersey, along with Clean Water Action, engaged ECs, Green Teams and youth to promote the efforts via a tool kit and case study. Twenty-five local Skip the Stuff ordinances have passed in New Jersey.
East Brunswick Township: Public Library, Friends of the EC and Sustainability Task Force- WeCycle and Recycling the Unrecyclable
The Public Library and the Friends of the EC in East Brunswick hosted a two-part lecture series entitled, “WeCycle,” in the spring of 2025. It addressed proper waste disposal at home, the Recycle Coach app, and the history and innovation of recycling presented by NJDEP staff. The lecture series demonstrated that community partners can tackle pressing local environmental challenges and help build a more informed, eco-conscious community. The Sustainability Task Force, a sub-committee of the East Brunswick EC, also launched an initiative related to recycling called, “Recycling the Unrecyclable.” To reduce landfill waste, the Task Force has expanded options for recycling at the Township’s recycling center by providing labeled collection bins for items that are not collected curbside.
Friends for the Abbott Marshlands- Protecting and Providing Access to the Abbott Marshlands
The Friends for the Abbott Marshlands (FFAM), community volunteers and seasonal interns have spent many months improving seven trails in the 3,000-acre Abbott Marshlands, a New Jersey Natural Heritage Priority Site. FFAM rerouted two sections of trails totaling more than 700 feet that were significantly eroded from stormwater runoff, installed five boardwalks, four sets of steps, and a raised earthen walkway. They also replaced two boardwalks that were decaying and frequently flooded. These projects have improved the sustainability and accessibility of the trails by reducing the grade to lessen erosion and addressing standing water along trails.
HONORABLE MENTION
Hamilton Township EC (Mercer County): Wing Haven Flower Meadow — Completed in 2025, the meadow is one of the latest endeavors installed by the EC, located in a large grassy field near the Township’s public library and recycling facility. As the area is frequented by birds, two birdhouses are located nearby and are the reason for the meadow’s naming.
Paramus EC: Plastic Bag Ban — Under Tony Landa’s leadership, the EC passed Paramus’ local Plastic Bag Ban in 2020, laying the foundation and passion for the Commission’s effectiveness today.
Sustainable Ringwood and Ringwood Green Team: Building Environmental Health and Resilience through Sustainable Landscaping — Ringwood’s native plant demonstration garden near the public library educates residents on the benefits of native plants and composting through a series of presentations and activities under this Sustainable Landscaping initiative.
Stillwater Township EC: The 40-Year Surface Water Quality Report — Published in 2025, this report is a detailed statistical analysis of key water quality indicators from multiple testing sites and offers a roadmap for future stewardship of the Township’s waterways.
The Unbridled Heroes Project (UHP): Saving Schedler — Led by CEO and dedicated conservationist Amy McCambridge, UHP advocated for saving Ringwood’s historic Schedler property from being clear-cut for an artificial turf field, and it now remains a mature forest and critical wildlife corridor.
MUNICIPAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Neill Clark, Mayor: Sparta Township, Sussex County
Mayor Neill Clark has been very supportive of the Sparta EC, most notably improving and expanding the trails system in and around the township. Clark appointed knowledgeable community members to form a “Trails Committee” in order to plan and organize. The Committee has used a $2,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey for signage on the newest trail in the Sparta Glen and they are currently working on a trail that will connect Station Park to the Middle School as well as interconnecting some of the rail trails within Sussex County.
Hillary Goldberg, Council Member: Teaneck Township, Bergen County
Liaison to the Teaneck EC and Parks and Recreation Board, Council Member Hillary Goldberg is a champion of environmental advocacy. Goldberg has tirelessly researched and secured funds for a large-scale stormwater system for the Township, helped launch the current pilot composting program, is an advocate for pedestrian safety, and is working towards a noise ordinance restricting gas powered leaf blowers. Goldberg is now actively working to preserve a large plot of land by the Hackensack River as open space.
Christoph Hesterbrink, Councilman: Leonia Borough, Bergen County
Councilman Christoph Hesterbrink has been a dedicated environmental steward and leader in Leonia for over two decades, consistently advancing the Borough’s vision of becoming a sustainable, resilient, and “green” community. Hesterbrink served almost ten years on the EC, seven as Chair, before being elected to the Town Council in 2022. His work has included stormwater mitigation, protection of shade trees, eradicating invasive species, advocating for green-friendly zoning requirements, supporting bike lanes and electric vehicles, and a partial ban on gas leaf blowers. Hesterbrink’s environmental work epitomizes how municipal officials can transform sustainability principles into real, lasting community impact.
Debbie Mans, Mayor: Glen Ridge Borough, Essex County
Prior to becoming mayor, Debbie Mans was a member of the Glen Ridge Environmental Advisory Committee and, once elected to the Borough Council, was the liaison to the Committee. Mans has involved herself in many environmental initiatives, including the newly passed ordinance prohibiting gas leaf blowers from mid-May to mid-October, obtaining grant funds to study and address stormwater issues and development of a community compost drop-off location. For the last two years she has taken the National Wildlife Federation’s “Mayors’ Monarch Pledge” to encourage and create pollinator gardens in the Borough.
Jannette Ramos, Councilwoman 4th Ward: Camden City, Camden County
Councilwoman Jannette Ramos has been instrumental in the “Camden Strong” initiative which tackles blight in the City of Camden. Specifically, Ramos has spearheaded the bulk waste initiative, which aims to safely and properly dispose of large items and tires with the goal of cleanliness and safety in the City. With promotional support from local nonprofits and businesses, Ramos has achieved maximum participation in disposal events. Each event has seen long lines with an average of eight to 10 tons removed.
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