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Newsletter
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In this issue:
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Earth Day Greetings |
“Strange days” indeed, and unsettling because we human beings are doing the damage ourselves to ourselves. The damage is confirmed in the “Millennium Ecosystem Assessment” conducted by 1,300 researchers under the watchful eye of the World Resources Institute. The assessment concludes that “15 of 24 ecosystem services are being degraded unsustainably” including food, water, and timber.
We know the litany of challenge: present changes may turn catastrophic, some reversal is possible, but it will cost and we need it now.
NJHEPS, in response, is looking toward the next Greenhouse Gas Action Plan. This time we will act nationally through HECAP, the Higher Education Climate Action Partnership--- working with other higher education consortia around the country, Energy Action (21 student groups), Clean Air – Cool Planet, the Greenhouse Network, and a think-tank out of Middlebury College called “WHAT WORKS”. Lots of passion, good strategizing—doing sustainability together! Trying to make a difference!
Yours for sustainability, Dr. Donald Wheeler, Executive Director and Terra Meierdierck, Program Associate
Princeton's 31st Earthday International Festival |
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The day portion of the festival will feature exhibitions, music, storytelling, interactive games for children, the sale of international arts and crafts, and food specialties from around the world. From 8 to 10 p.m. there will be an international cultural and fashion show held in a tent on the Frist south lawn. This event is organized by the International Center and the Consortium of International Center Student Organizations, Princeton University and is sponsored by several Princeton University departments.
For more information, call the Princeton International Center at 609-258-5006 or visit their Web site at www.princeton.edu/~intlctr.
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RU Earth Day 2005 |
Workshops:
Other activities
Key note address:
* For more information and to pre-register, visit http://ruec.rutgers.edu/EarthDay.html
William Paterson's Earth Day Event
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9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Earth Day, Science Room 319
Please join William Paterson University for their 2005 Earth Day Celebration featuring the following highlights:
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Earth Day at the Meadowlands Environmental Center |
Families, students, and those interested in environmental issues are invited to the Meadowlands Environmental Center on Saturday, April 23 for a special Earth Day Event! Some featured highlights are: Eight stations with environmental activities dedicated to engage individuals of all age levels. Take a close up look at nature's recyclers, our resident composting worms. Use recycled materials to make arts and crafts which include: Learning how to build a bug using recycled bottled caps and using recycled paper to make note cards and origami figures. Enjoy guided tours of the marsh and hands on dip netting experience.
Directions available at www.njmeadowlands.gov/EC/come_visit/directions_and_map.cfm. Please Contact Janell Bevan, Education Office, at 201-777-2406 for more information on this event.
DeVry & SHU Local Society Initiave |
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The New Jersey - New York metropolitan region is, in one sense, the center of technological innovation, while it also has created some of the nation's most challenging technological problems. New Jersey is home to the world's leading pharmaceutical corporations and the state has just authorized the creation of a Stem Cell Research Institute. Yet the region also suffers, arguably, more from toxic waste than any other state in the country. In addition, the region's technological progress also poses the challenge inherent in the globalization / localization of culture.
The conference will include a to be announced Key Note Speaker and a full day of paper reviews by various DeVry and Seton Hall faculty members. For more information on this event and a complete update agenda please visit: www.lsi-nj.org.
 Media Credit: Courtesy of the New Brunswick Development Corporation, taken from the Daily Targum |
Rutgers Greening Plan |
Atlantic County Utilities Authority to Install 500kW Solar System |
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Please visit the ACUA home page for the full press release.
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Industry Battles Pending NJ Law |
Engine manufacturers are fighting New Jersey legislation that would establish one of the nation's first mandates for retrofitting diesel engines, with the industry arguing that voluntary incentives are a better option and that state action is prohibited under the Clean Air Act. Yet the state legislation may be gaining momentum after its sponsors claim to have found an alternative funding source that would pay for the bill's costs to industry. New Jersey environment officials also dispute the industry's argument that the federal clean air statute preempts any state action.
The latest version of the bill, first introduced last year by state Sen. Bob Smith (D), passed the New Jersey Senate's Environment Committee March 7 by a 3-2 vote. The bill now has to proceed to the state's Budget & Appropriations Committee, where it faces uncertain prospects, before it can move to a floor vote.
Please visit the HDMA site for the complete article.
DEP Awards $3.6 Million to Reduce Non Point Source Pollution |
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Stormwater pollution, also known as nonpoint source pollution (NPS) refers to contamination of ground water, waterways, and oceans from runoff carrying fertilizers, pet wastes, motor oil and litter. The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1987 established the section 319 (h) Nonpoint Source Management Program which authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund states to reduce nonpoint source pollution. This year, the EPA provided New Jersey with funding of more than $3.6 million for this program.
DEP received applications for 35 projects totaling more than $6 million, almost twice the available funding. Projects were selected based on the ability to eliminate nonpoint source pollutants effectively. Projects received special consideration if they curbed pollution going to Category One (C1) waterbodies or impaired waterways including those with known pollution reductions known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The funded projects include the Upper Salem River Watershed Project and Lake Hopatcong.
Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the new Essex County Environmental Center. NRCS and Liberty RC&D will have free office space in the new "state of the art" green building in exchange for access to NRCS technical and educational services/staff and informational materials, as well as Liberty RC&D's resources.
Contact: Barbara Phillips, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; 732-537-6044
The Elizabeth River/Arthur Kill Watershed Association will conduct educational forums for our watershed school consortia on the themes of clean water, tree benefits, and habitation enhancement for watershed birds.
Contact: Elizabeth River/Arthur Kill Watershed Association, www.futurecitynj.org/watershed.html
Join Mayor Robert L. Bowser, the Public Works Solid Waste & Recycling - Clean & Green Education Center and students from the area as they designate Earth Day in East Orange and announce Earth Day Poster/Essay winners. Public Works Solid Waste & Recycling will highlight project CLEANUP a group of gifted and talented students from three area schools who have become the cities environmental ambassadors, spreading the word of "MAKING A DIFFERENCE" you will have the opportunity to view many of their accomplishments; recycling coloring book, an architectural design model of lot given to them by the city. The Mayor will issue the proclamation and present awards to all students.
Contact: A. Knadya O'Kelly, 973-266-1021 or fax 973-674-1299
EARTH DAY FAIR - Come check out our many exciting and informative booths dedicated to preserving the earth. Enjoy contests, organic food, t-shirt fish printing, arts and crafts, prizes, and music.
Contact: Joe Reynolds, Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission; 732-291-1444, sosap2002@comcast.net
New Jersey's Official Tall Ship, the Schooner A. J. Meerwald, and the City of Burlington have teamed up to host a FREE Earth Day Festival on the Burlington Riverfront Promenade. Environmental education booths / exhibits, children's activities and music will both entertain and educate participants. The Meerwald will be sailing during the festival for onlookers to enjoy. (Tickets can be purchased to participate on the sails and can be reserved in advance by calling 800-485-3072.)
Contact: Monica Halverson; 856-785-2060 ext. 107, monica@BayshoreDiscoveryProject.org, www.BayshoreDiscoveryProject.org
Volunteers will meet at over 50 different locations to rid our beaches of debris. Volunteers will collect data about the items collected, keeping a tally on a data card (provided by Clean Ocean Action). Visit the website www.cleanoceanaction.org for a complete list and directions to locations.
Monmouth/Middlesex Counties: Julie Hajdusek, 732-872-0111
Ocean County: Kari Jermansen, 732-872-0111
Atlantic/Cape May Counties: Tony Totah, 609-729-9262
Clean Ocean Action
PO Box 505, Sandy Hook
Highlands, NJ 07732
sandyhook@cleanoceanaction.org
We will be doing a park and river clean up and many activities including: training volunteers how to monitor the waterways, providing information about local water quality issues and solutions, teaching interactive lessons about water conservation to kids, and presenting guest speakers. We also hope to present a finished mural about the park and rivers. Food and drinks will be donated for volunteers.
Contact: NJ Community Water Watch
3rd Annual Starbucks Earth Day at Sandy Hook Beach, Sandy Hook, NJ Saturday, April 23rd - 9:00am - 12:00pm Come help us beautify the beach. Join us for our 3rd Annual Beach Sweep with Clean Ocean Action and we will treat you to refreshments. From the Garden State Parkway, take the nearest exit (117, 109 or 105) for RT 36. Follow that to the entrance to Sandy Hook Park. Registration is located near parking lot E.
Contact: Brenda, Starbucks Redbank (732) 530-3667
Sponsored by North Jersey RC&D, various plantings will be installed in the RC&D Areas at Hampton Borough Municipal Park, Hunterdon County, Musconetcong River, Greenwich Twp Municipal Park, Warren County (Stewartsville)-Merrill Creek Tributary and Meadow Breeze Community Park in Washington Township, Warren County, Brass Castle Creek.
Contact: Grace Messinger, Watershed Specialist, 908-735-0733 x 110
One hundred yards of the Saw Mill Brook will be restored and beautified. The banks of the Saw Mill Brook are severely undercut and eroding at a rapid, unhealthy rate. Rebuilding the banks of the brook as well as plating indigenous vegetation will help prevent and future erosion problems. The native plants will also act as a buffer between the brook and potential pollution. Besides the positive environmental impact the restoration will have, it will also create a beautiful landscape for future generations to enjoy. This will be a large project and to be done efficiently, we are looking to engage at least 65 people in this event. Some perks include free food, Red Bull refreshments as well as a very special speaker by the Mayor William Neary. As always, your support is greatly appreciated. We hope to see you there!
Contact: Becky, NJ Community Water Watch; (732) 932-3281, becky@waterwatchonline.org
The cleanup we have scheduled for April 25th is in honor of Earth Day, a global holiday to celebrate the wonder of life on our planet. Students and community members will spend the day removing trash from the Cooper River and helping clean up the surrounding area. It will be held at New Camden Park, located behind Camden High School and Forest Hill Elementary School. Among the day's events, we will have free food and raffles, with a goal of bringing together 100-150 volunteers. Volunteers will consist of Rutgers students, campus and community groups, Camden residents, and high school and middle school students from various schools within Camden County.
Contact: New Jersey Community Water Watch
The fourteenth annual Earthday Festival will be held at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority located at 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ (Just West of Atlantic City) on April 25th, open to the public 10am-4pm. This year’s theme will be Water Conservation Education. The day starts out early (8:30) with a 3K and 1 mile fun run to benefit the Marine Mammal Stranding Center of Brigantine. Festival highlights include: non-stop entertainment with the Philadelphia Zoo animal show, bands, magic with Mr. RE Cycle, school singing group, horse show, parade, puppet show, pony rides, petting zoos and much, much more. Lots of educational, interactive exhibits will also add to your day's enjoyment. Please plan to joy us!
Contact: Atlantic County Utilities Authority, 609 272-6937(Michele) or 609 272-6959 (Janet); www.acua.com/EarthDay.asp
We will be planting trees around the Mercer county soil conservation District as well as the Assunpink Environmental Institute
Contact: Brett Funk (609-586-9603, Ambassadorwma20@aol.com, www.mercerscd.org/)
Plans are to meet at the parking area adjacent to the waterfall of the Rahway River by the dam at Winfield Park at 8:45. The clean-up will generally be between 9-1, but any amount of time or effort that folks can volunteer is appreciated. This year we intend to focus on the section of the North Branch (Bloodgood Branch) of the Rahway River upstream and downstream of the dam at Winfield Park. The County generously supplies gloves and garbage bags, and we solicit material donations (donuts, bagels, coffee, bottled water, paper towels, hand-wipes, etc) for all volunteers. Last year, over 125 folks participated, including girl scouts, cub scouts, boy scouts, fishermen, local activists and citizens, and we pulled some amazing things from the river. We also had water bottles, coloring books, posters, tree seedlings and some T-shirts as giveaways for the participants.
Contact: Joseph J. Seebode, Assistant Cubmaster, Cub Scout Pack 30, jjjjseebode@comcast.net
The Celebration of the Earth Festival is a yearly event, designed to educate the public about ways to celebrate and protect our planet. It is New Jersey's largest Earth Day related event. In our eighth year, it is hosted by The Paramus Environmental Commission and The Learning Center For Exceptional Children. The event’s goal is to reach out to people who normally would not be attending typical environmental fairs. It is our opinion that these people are the ones that most need to be educated and enlightened about environmental issues facing us.
We achieve this by creating a fun atmosphere, one of celebration, filled with entertainment for young and old. The entertainment leans toward children because we realize that children cannot come without their parents, so it is a great way to attract adults. While they are getting entertained, it is our intention that people will walk through the tent and gather the vast amount of information that is available to them about our planet.
The Paramus Environmental Commission and The Learning Center for Exceptional Children would be honored to invite you to attend this coming CELEBRATION OF THE EARTH FESTIVAL, being held on Sunday May 15, 2005 at Van Saun Park, Paramus, New Jersey, from noon till 5PM. Please contact Ivan Salinas for more information.
Complete Course Offerings (including sessions on HVAC Controls Short Courses and "DG for Free" Analyzing Onsite Distributed Generation Contracts & Proposals): www.aeecenter.org/realtime/.
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NJHEPS
Dr. Donald Wheeler, Executive Director
Dr. Daniel Watts, President
Want to share progress towards sustainability on your campus? Please send news items to Terra Meierdierck (973-642-7848; tmeierdierck@njheps.org) for inclusion in our newsletter.
NJHEPS gratefully acknowledges the support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the AT&T Foundation, AT&T, Inc., and the NJHEPS 40 Member Institutions.
This newsletter is available online (from www.njheps.org/press.html). This newsletter is sent out monthly by NJHEPS via an announcements-only listserv, NJHEPS-news@listserver.njit.edu. If you no longer wish to subscribe to this listserv, please use the tools available on the listserv's homepage, at http://listserver.njit.edu/mailman/options/njheps-news/* (replace the "*" with your email address), or notify Terra Meierdierck, NJHEPS Program Assistant.