CAPE MAY COURTHOUSE - Green teams, environmental commissions, municipal staff and interested members of the public are invited to attend a free event sponsored by the Sustainable Jersey Atlantic-Cape May Hub 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at Atlantic Cape Community College, 341 Court House-South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. Natural Resource Actions will be the focus of the forum.
The event offers an opportunity to learn from NJ State Forester Brian McDonald about actions that can help towns to establish and grow local, self-sustaining urban and community forestry programs. McDonald will explain how towns can develop and implement a management plan for trees and forests and gain accreditation through the New Jersey Urban & Community Forestry Program. He will share information about available resources, including grants and training, to help achieve these goals.
Arborist Jerry Barberio will also share information on proper tree planting and maintenance programs and recent changes to the state's requirements for municipal tree protection ordinances.
Attendees will also learn about the role of Environmental Commissions from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. Environmental Commissions support the work of elected officials and the public, by researching issues, developing educational programs and advocating for sound environmental policies related to open space preservation, wetlands and water resource protection, green infrastructure, recycling and litter, environmental cleanups, wildlife habitat, energy efficiency, and more. ANJEC presenters Cheryl Reardon and Randi Rothmel will also talk about natural resource inventories and how these important documents support this work.
Attendance at this event can earn participants two CEU credits for the NJUCF accreditation program.
Launched in 2009, Sustainable Jersey has developed a comprehensive certification program that outlines specific actions that towns can take that help them to go green and sustain their quality of life over the long term. Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training, and grants to support and reward communities as they move along this path.
More than 466 towns have registered for the Sustainable Jersey program, and 198 are now certified. Grants and other resources have helped towns to reduce energy use, educate residents and implement a wide variety of green initiatives.
The Atlantic-Cape May Hub brings together local green teams in the two counties to share resources and ideas on how to advance sustainability initiatives in their local communities, hub Co-chair Ralph Cooper said.
"The Hub is here to help support green teams and to promote collaboration," Co-chair Amy Menzel said. "Many green teams and local volunteers are working on similar issues and face the same challenges. Hub events help people connect with each other and to identify resources that can help propel their efforts."
The event is free and open to all.
Participants are asked to register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-cm-hub-april-11th-natural-resources-workshop-tickets-868581890817?aff=oddtdtcreator
For more information about the hub, see https://atlanticcapemayregionalhub.wordpress.com/
