Also visit us at www.anjec.org
  ANJECnews
  • Home
  • Alerts & Grants
  • News Highlights
  • urban focus
  • About Us
  • Pix & videos
  • For municipalities
Picture

South Jersey Green Infrastructure Projects Past and Present Through 2022

Picture

Earth Day Every Day - 2022 Events Across NJ

Picture

                  Green Infrastructure Projects in South Jersey 2021

The South Jersey team was busy installing a number of projects in the Delaware Watershed as part of two different NFWF grants as part of the Delaware Watershed Restoration Initiatives.  Here are some pictures of raingardens in Upper Salem including  one the Friends Village, Upper Pittsgrove Municipal Building, and Auburn Winery.  A stream bank riparian buffer was also installed at the Woodstown High School.
​

How we spent the global pandemic 2020


Green Infrastructure Never Sleeps

The pandemic didn't stop the installation of rain gardens around New Jersey. Armed with spades and face masks, environmental commissions, municipal employees, and Rutgers and ANJEC staff installed this rain garden at the Phillipsburg Public Library in October.

ANJEC 46th Annual Environmental Congress


Vineland Public Library Rain Garden

Thanks to A NJEC's collaboration with Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
and the Vineland Environmental Commission, the Vineland Public  Library now has a rain garden
capturing and naturally filtering rooftop stormwater runoff.  It helps protect water resources... and
​is planted with colorful native plants that host pollinators important to agriculture.

ANJEC 50th Anniversary Gratitude Event, June 21, 2019

To celebrate and honor ANJEC's first 50 years,  we gathered with friends at the New Jersey Pinelands Commission
Headquarters in Pemberton. Part of a series of anniversary events, the reception included a wonderful presentation
by former Governor James Florio. Guests also got to see the recently dedicated 
Candace McKee Ashmun Pinelands Education Exhibit.

Hammonton High School rain gardens

Rutgers installed the beautiful rain gardens at Hammonton High School that were planted
on May 3 with help from ANJEC, high school seniors, a group of middle school students, and
​some volunteers from the Green Committee.

Networking to reduce plastic pollution

There was a standing-room-only crowd at the Madison Community House on May 16 where ANJEC hosted a 
Regional Roundtable & Networking Information Session on reducing single-use plastic pollution.
Co-hosts included the Madison, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Florham Park, Livingston, Long Hill 
​ & Morris Township Environmental Commissions, and former Governor Richard Codey was the keynote speaker.

ANJEC Fundamentals for Effective Environmental Commissions

In March, ANJEC held its 2019 environmental commissioners training in Bridgewater and West Deptford
with a third session in Madison on May 18. Participants learned about a wide range of topics
​,including the powers and responsibilities of commissions, stormwater regulations, site plan reiew, ERIs and ordinances.

Momentum is growing to cut plastic pollution

ANJEC held two press events in early May celebrating the achievement by NJ municipalities to pass over 50 ordinances fighting plastic pollution.
The first was on May 2 at Glen Rock's Thielke Arboretum Environmental Education Center
​and the second was on the Asbury Park Boardwalk on May 7.


A rain garden grows in Vineland

In early May, the Vineland Environmental Commission with help from ANJEC, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program,
​the Vineland DPW and many volunteers installed a large rain garden at the Vineland Public School.

ANJEC regional Networking and Roundtable 
at Frelinghuysen Arboretum on Feb. 7


Regional Plastics & Networking Meeting
November 29, New Brunswick


ANJEC 45th Annual Environmental Congress
Oct. 12, 2018

Happenings in May 2018
Picture
ANJEC Exec. Dir. Jennifer Coffey (2nd from left) and former Gov. Christie Whitman (center) spoke at a panel on climate change at Reeves Arboretum in Summit on May 10.
Picture
Dini Checko of the ANJEC Resource Center spoke about plastic pollution at the Essex County Environmental Commisison Roundtable in May.

Upper Deerfield Twp Community Day
ANJEC was a proud co-sponsor when the Upper Deerfield Environmental Commission offered tours and provided
education on rain garden, native vegetation and pollinators..

New funds announced for initiative to combat threats to
Delaware River Basin’s water quality

ANJEC is one of 11 NJ groups to receive renewed funding from the William Penn Foundation for the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, with the aim
of coordinating the efforts of nongovernmental organizations that bring different approaches to defending water quality.
​These photos were taken at a joint press event on April 5.


ANJEC Fundamentals for Effective Environmental Commissions 2018

Standing against offshore drilling
On Valentine's Day in Hamilton, NJ, ANJEC, Clean Ocean Action, and many other nonprofits held their own public hearing in the same facility as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management public meeting on President Trump's proposal to drill for oil and gas off the Jersey shore and the entire eastern seaboard. Hundreds attended in opposition to the drilling. Thank you to Governor Murphy and First lady Tammy Murphy, Senator Bob Menendez, Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., Congressman Chris Smith, State Senator Linda Greenstein, Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin, and Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker for joining us in person and via video call from around State and Washington DC. We are all united in opposition to drilling off the Jersey Shore. 

ANJEC's 44th Annual  Environmental Congress
Friday, Oct. 13, 2017
Mercer County College
Photos by Gary Szelc and Elliott Ruga


Introducing:
ANJEC's new video

ANJEC - Local Environment Matters
Created by Matthew Hanks
The Association of NJ Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) is
a statewide nonprofit founded in 1969 to support environmental action
at the local level. Throughout the state, ANJEC supports and educates environmental commissions, green teams, open space committees,
local officials and concerned citizens working to protect and restore
the environment in their communities. We advocate for sound
public policies at the state and national level and collaborate
with organizations on regional initiatives that safeguard
​natural resources. www.anjec.org

Rain garden and porous parking lot rededicated in Woodstown 

​ANJEC, with support from Woodstown Borough, the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Joint Environmental Commission, William Penn Foundation,
National Fish and Wildlife, Nicholas Wulderk Memorial Fund, Rutgers Cooperative Water Resource Extension, and volunteers,
including local Scouts, has recently constructed a 1000'-sq.-ft. rain garden containing 400 native plants as well as a porous asphalt parking area. 
​Congressman Lobiando, NJ State Senate President Sweeney, Woodstown Mayor Dietrich, nonprofits and others applaud environmental improvements
at Veterans’ Memorial Park re-dedication of Garrison Memorial Park and the ribbon cutting of new environmental features that restored the
​memorial and community park in Woodstown. 

Conservation Blueprint Workshop
ANJEC sponsored a workshop on New Jersey's Conservation Bluepriint on June 27 at the Four Sisters Winery in White Twp.

Earth Day 2017

2017 Fundamentals for Effective Environmental Commissions

March 25 at Cranford Community Center in Cranford, NJ
March 4 at the New Jersey Audubon Plainsboro Preserve in Cranbury, NJ

Rain gardens at work in South Jersey!
Rain Garden in Upper Deerfield
This 2000-sq.-ft. rain garden at the Upper Deerfield Twp. Municipal Complex contains all native plants, grasses and a variety of  flowering species to provide habitat and to naturally filter toxins from stormwater runoff before recharging the groundwater to protect the health of the adjacent stream. ANJEC worked with Christopher C. Obropta, Phd and Rutgers University's Water Resources Program team, the Upper Deerfield Mayor, Twp Committee, Public Works Dept, and Environmental Commission along with many volunteers.  

Rain Garden at Woodstown's Garrison Park
ANJEC, in partnership with Christopher C. Obropta Phd, Rutgers University Water Resources Program,  Woodstown Borough and lots of volunteers, planted this 1000'-sq.-ft. rain garden at Garrison Park with 400 native plants. Thanks to a National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for grant funding.

In other news...

Picture
ANJEC Executive Director Jennifer Coffey spoke at the Water Quality Workshop hosted by ANJEC and partners on Oct. 27 in Verona.
Picture
ANJEC Executive Director Jennifer Coffey was among reps from several environmental groups who accused the DEP of taking too long to respond to the drought at the hearing on Oct. 20 as the Department was considering imposing a drought warning in 12 of New Jersey's 21 counties.

ANJEC 43rd Annual Environmental Congress
Sept. 30, 2016, Mercer County Community College
Thanks to videographer 
Sean Gilson, Outreach & Education Director, NJ Highlands Coalition, and ANJEC photographers Renee Reskey and Gary Szelc 
Picture
Watch video of keynote speaker, Dr. David A. Robinson, NJ State Climatologist
Picture
Watch video of featured speaker, Seth M. Siegel, author of Let There Be Water: Israel's Solution for a Water-Starved World

ANJEC Annual Fundraiser
ANJEC and friends enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at Stony Brook,-Millstone Watershed Association's new LEED-certified facility on May 15.

ANJEC workshops, Spring 2016
Scenes from Earth Day 2016

Fundamentals for Effective Environmental Commissions
March 2016
Amy McGill-Wright, left, and Julie Gandy at ANJEC Commissioners Course in West Deptford
On March 5, the ANJEC Environmental Commissioners Course happened in West Deptford
The Commissioners Course moved on to Middletown on March 12
Sandy Batty discusses environmental resource inventories in Morristown on March 19.
Waiting for class to start in Morristown
The welcoming committee in Morristown
Paying close attention in Morristown

Rally for the Pines
March 21, 2016 in Trenton

ANJEC Board/Staff Retreat, Feb. 20, 2016

How to build a rain garden
The Pilesgrove Environmental Commission recently completed a 1600 sq. ft. rain garden next to the towns municipal building in partnership with the Dept. of Public Works, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Future Farmers of America, the Cub Scouts and ANJEC.
ANJEC 42nd Annual Congress

2015 ANJEC Environmental Achievement Awards

Fall environmental commission events

A day on the water
On August 28 Executive Director Debbie Mans and her drew from NY/NJ Baykeeper treated the ANJEC staff to a cruise on the mighty Raritan Bay and lower portion of the River. The day offered a great opportunity to learn about Baykeepers' important work on oyster restoration, cleanups and river access, and to take in the natural beauty and rich history of this important NJ waterway. 
Photos by Kerry Miller and LouAnn Rosenshal

Rally Against the Pinelands Pipelilne, August 20, 2015
ANJEC joined NJ Sierra, Environment NJ, Pinelands Preservation Alliance and others on the State House Annex steps 
to oppose the South Jersey gas pipeline through the Pinelands.


A visit to Rutgers Gardens
Bruce Crawford, Director of Rutgers Gardens, took the ANJEC staff on a tour of the expansive property on Monday, July 20,  

South Jersey happenings
Picture
Assemblyman John McKeon, Vice Chair of Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee, in front of the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection at a June 23 press conference opposing NJDEP's sell-off (diversion) of 81 preserved acres (the Durand tract). The parcel is a significant piece of the Menantico Ponds Wildlife Management Area and is important to protecting the headwaters of the pristine Menantico and Manumuskin Rivers in Millville.
Picture
At the screening of "Water Blues... Green Solutions" sponsored by the Hammonton Green Committee, Rich Bizub, Pinelands Preservation Alliance talked about Hammonton's need to initiate water conservation measures.
Picture
ANJEC Project Director Cheryl Reardon, left, with Fran Rapa, NJ Conservation Foundation, and Jane Galetto, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries. The three were at the June 23 press conference regarding the proposed diversion of the preserved Durand tract in Millville.
Picture
The Eagle Theater in Hammonton, where the film "Water Blues ... Green Solutions" was screened in mid-June 2015

ANJEC's Farm-to Table Garden Party, May 29, 2015, 
at Fernbrook Farms
Photos by Gary Szelc unless otherwise indicated

Earth Day 2015 
Take a look at some of the cool events environmental commissions and green teams around NJ hosted for Earth Day!

ANJEC happenings
Picture
Donna Drewes of Sustainable Jersey speaking at the ANJEC workshop on water supply in Hammonton on May 11, 2015
Picture
Rich Bizub of Pinelands Preservation Alliance overviews water supply in the Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer at ANJEC's workshop on May 11 at Hammonton
Picture
Eleanor Krukowski, NJDEP Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control, speaks at the ANJEC Septic Maintenance Workshop on May 13 in Evesham

Murals bring attention and awareness to Raritan River
This mural project at the Highland Park Environmental Education Center grew out of an ANJEC-led project to create more awareness of the Raritan River. The Middlesex County Planning Board, had three Rutgers interns who conceived a public art project in thetowns along the River to educate the public about  its history and its uses for recreation. The artist, Jonathan Horowitz, says the installation is a work in progress, and about a third of the murals have been completed.       Learn more

ANJEC Nov. 12 Open Space Stewardship Workshop in Millville

Picture
ANJEC's Nov. 12 workshop, Stewarding Open Space & Successful Grant Writing, brought together over 40 environmentalists in Millville, NJ.
Picture
Al Newman, Sr., of Pepco Holdings discussing open space stewardship partnerships
Picture
Matthew Blake, Director of Community Development in Woolwich, talks about the Township's Open Space Plan.

ANJEC at Pinelands Lobby Day
Cheryl Reardon, ANJEC South Jersey Project Director, was at the successful Pinelands Lobby Day on Oct. 16 at the State Capitol in Trenton. Environmentalists gathered to uphold the integrity of the Pinelands Commission, Comprehensive Management Plan and Pinelands Act. That same day,

in a move viewed as a victory by conservationists, the Senate Judiciary Committee held off action on two nominees to the Pinelands Commission whose appointment they feared would tip the balance of the agency to support a controversial 22-mile natural gas pipeline through the heart of the preserve.
ANJEC's Cheryl Reardon at Pinelands Lobby Day
This young conservationist knows the future is at stake.
Representatives of environmental organizations on the State House steps

ANJEC at the People's Climate March, NYC, Sept. 21
The People's Climate March in NYC on Sept. 21 drew over 400,000 people. Such a passionate and hopeful day for the environment! Lots of ANJEC friends all around: Lots of ANJEC friends all around: Marian Glenn, Summit EC; Jim Rokosny, Bridgewater EC; Laurie Felber, Mendham Borough EC; Ann Marchioni, Essex County EC; Paul Rinear, Aberdeen EC; Mike Hornsby, West Windsor EC; Jennifer Duckworth, Millburn EC, Ann Marchioni of Caldwell EC, Gloria Machnowski, Verona EC; Mary Reilly from Cranford EC; Bob Sandberg and Teresa Gelso Maltz of Tinton Falls EC, Boris Kofman , Laura Bagwell and Louis DiMento of Red Bank EC, Gwenne Baile of Haddon Twp. EC, Sandy Batty, former ANJEC ED; Dini Checko, ANJEC Resource Center; Lindsay McNamara, former ANJEC intern and probably many more who traveled with folks from their towns. Please give us a shout if you were there and share your observations.

Jennifer Duckworth of Millburn EC, left, poses with former Vice President Al Gore and her daughter Fiona at the March.
Jim Rokosny of Bridgewater EC was at the March with his family.
Gloria Machnowski, right, and her daughter Nina, show off Verona EC's banner.
Mary Reilly, left, of Cranford EC and ANJEC's Dini Checko at the March
Drummers helped energize the crowd as they waited hours for the March to get moving due to the massive numbers of people.
ANJEC's Julie Lange Groth, left, and Marian Glenn of Summit EC took this selfie at Penn Station en route to the March.
Former ANJEC Exec. Dir. shared this great selfie taken at the March.
Former ANJEC intern Lindsay McNamara, right, spent her birthday at the March with a friend.
Seton Hall students at Penn Station accompanying Summit EC's Marian Glenn to the March
Chatham High School students on the train to the March
Ann Marchioni of Essex County EC and her husband, Warren, at the March

The 2014 Highlands Festival
On Sept. 20 and 21, Waterloo Village in Byram, NJ, was home base for the Second Annual Highlands Festival, produced by the New Jersey Highlands Coalition and many partners. ANJEC was proud to be a part of this outstanding weekend, featuring lots of music and environmentally themed activities. See article & video

ANJEC family gathers for Sandy's send-off

ANJEC staff, trustees, and many, many friends gathered at the Basking Ridge Country Club on Sept. 12 for Sandy Batty's retirement party. The event raised over $50,000 for the Sandy Batty Grant Fund that will offer environmental commissions funding to initiate projects that build the foundation for actions on open space stewardship and preservation, land use planning that protects clean water, critical habitats and other natural resources.

ANJEC Road Show in Ewing
The Ewing Environmental Commission hosted an ANJEC Road Show on Sept. 17, featuring presentations by ANJEC Executive Director Jennifer Coffey on Habitat Restoration in Storm Basins and ANJEC Resource Center Director Julie Lange Groth on Social Media for Environmental Commissions
,

Speaking out in defense of RGGI
Over 30 people attended the Aug. 8 hearing at NJDEP on the proposed repeal of the RGGI rules that enabled NJ to participate in the multistate program to reduce carbon pollution. Among them were representatives from three environmental commissions (Ewing, Secaucus, Ewing) and ANJEC.
You can still submit comments until Sept. 5. More info

ANJEC Executive Director Jennifer Coffey signs petition presented by Ewing Environmental Commission member Lee Farnham.
ANJEC Executive Director Jennifer Coffey with Mike Hornsby of West Windsor Environmental Commission and Lee Farnham of Ewing EC
Moms' Clean Air Force was on hand to speak up for the children in defense of RGGI
Amanda Nesheiwat, Secaucus Environmental Commission Chair, offers testimony in defense of RGGI.
A mom and her kids speak on behalf of getting NJ back into RGGI.
Closeup of Ewing's poster-size RGGI petition
Farewell ANJEC Executive Director Sandy Batty
Staff party celebrates 29 years of service to NJ's environment. (The BIG party is coming up on Sept. 12! - see details)
Former Executive Director Sandy Batty prepares to exit with gag gifts in hand
ANJEC staff. Sandy is front row center. New ED Jennifer Coffey is center rear.
ANJEC Trustee Renee Resky baked t his beautiful cake
Three generations of ANJEC executive directors - from left, Sandy Batty, Candace Ashmun and Jennifer Coffey
It's n ot an ANJEC party without food, lots of food!
Sandy with ANJEC Trustee Nancy Tindall
Environmental Commission Earth Day activities around New Jersey
Beekeeper Josephine Giaimo at Highland Park's Earth Day event
Chatham Twp. volunteers clear walking paths at the Green Village Pond Conservation Area.
South Plainfield Girl Scouts helped distribute free tree saplings as part of the NJ Hurricane Sandy Tree Restoration Program.
Arm of the Sea Theater production at South Orange River Day
Rahway EC member Denise Rolong playing a water conservation game with visitors at Rahway Day
Woodbridge Environmental Commission shares the limelight with the Arbor Day Foundation.
Earth Day in Sayreville
An eager attendant at the ) 24th Annual Earth Day Celebration in Washington Twp. (Gloucester)
Earth Day celebration in Edison

ANJEC garden party at Duke Farms - June 8, 2014
Photos by Peter Craig

ANJEC 2014 Environmental Commissioners Course

Picture
Picture
Picture
ANJEC held its annual course, Fundamentals for Effective Environmental Commissions, at three locations this year, in Morristown on March 1, Cranbury on March 8 and Egg harbor Township on March 15. Here are some scenes from the Cranbury event. Above, Vijaya Keshari chats with Charles Senders, both of the Howell Environmental Commission.At bottom left, Haewon Park of the West Windsor Environmental Commission (standing) talks with other attendees. At top left, ANJEC Advisory Council member Peg Van Patton talks about the powers and responsibilities of commissioners.

ANJEC at the Sustainable Jersey networking event on Feb. 4

Picture
Picture
Left: ANJEC Project Director Cheryl Reardon at ANJEC's information table at the Sustainable Jersey networking event at Flying Fish Brewery on Feb. 4.. Above, Cheryl is joined by (from left) Marshall Hatfield, Haddon Heights Environmental Commission;  Julie Bedingfield, Haddonfield Environmental Commission and Patrick McDevitt, Monroe Township Environmental Commission.
ANJEC Picture Book
Slide show - ANJEC beer tasting on Nov. 10, 2013

Essex County Environmental Commission Networking Event Nov. 7, 2013
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Scenes from the 40th ANJEC Environmental Congress

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Keynote speaker Mark Warner, nationally recognized expert in renewable energy & founding member of the NJ solar market
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Jennifer M. Coffey of NJ Keep It Green
Picture
John Filippelli, EPA Clean Air & Sustainability Director., Region 2
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Scenes from the first annual Highlands Festival at Waterloo Village Sept. 21-22

From left: Julie Lange Groth staffs the ANJEC information table; Candace Ashmun informs visitors about the importance of the NJ Highlands; visitors test their energy IQ with the EQ Challenge game.

Scenes from ANJEC's new workshop on Sept. 16 - High Performing Environmental Commissions

Picture
Picture

Picture
Holmdel Environmental Commission Chair Mike Nikolis (right) and ANJEC intern Alex St. Romain were set up and ready for the crowd to arrive at the OAR concert on Aug. 3 at PNC Arts Center. The band invited ANJEC to provide information on living green to concert goers.

Picture
Picture

Picture
Those attending the Aug. 3 O.A.R. concert were invited to spin the ANJEC Cut Your Carbon Footprint game wheel and answer a question to win a piggy bank made from recycled materials.This game is available on loan from ANJEC; just email us or call 973-539-7547.

Picture
ANJEC staff celebrates Assistant Director Kerry Miller's birthday with Greek food and chocolate cake on Aug. 1, 2013

Picture
A fond farewell to our great summer intern, Alexandra St. Romain from Chatham. She is starting her senior year at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire this fall, majoring in Environmental Studies and Public Policy. She is also a member of the varsity softball team.

Alex says, "I have enjoyed my time at ANJEC this summer tremendously. Mostly, I have been doing research on different stormwater ordinances that towns have adopted, as compared to the State Model Ordinance. I have compiled  a collection of stormwater material that ANJEC can make available to environmental commissions when they are deciding what to include in their Stormwater Ordinance. Also, I have been working on several different articles that will be published in upcoming ANJEC Reports."

Memories of the A.J. Meerwald, 2013
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Association of NJ Environmental Commissions  
          PO Box 157, Mendham, NJ 07945 
973-539-7547  
www.anjec.org
 

Picture
​Thanks to Church & Dwight Co., Inc. for their generous sponsorship of the ANJEC News