Sustainable Jersey Luncheon, Nov. 16, 2021.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
ATLANTIC CITY – Volunteers from the Ventnor Green Team and Sustainable Margate were among the hundreds of volunteers from across the State of New Jersey gathered at a luncheon held at the Sheraton Hotel Tuesday to be recognized by the Sustainable Jersey organization.
Both communities were certified at the Bronze level, which requires achieving 150 points from actions that promote sustainability in the community. Margate had 185 points and Ventnor had 270 points.
Points were awarded for such actions as promoting the 2020 Census, conducting farmers markets, implementing bicycle and pedestrian safety plans, beach cleanup kiosks, supporting local businesses, conducting reusable bag education campaigns, updating ordinances that make the community solar-friendly, building pollinator gardens and planting trees, and erecting bicycle racks in heavily traversed areas.
“The award winners and certified towns exemplify the commitment we need to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world,” Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon said. “As New Jersey faces issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity divide and environmental pollution, it is essential that we support municipalities as they do the hard work to meet these challenges at the local level.”
Steve Fiedler of Go Green Galloway addresses Sustainable Jersey volunteers.
The following Atlantic County communities were awarded the organization’s Collaboration Award for the Friends Along the Mullica Film Project: City of Absecon, Atlantic City, City of Brigantine Beach, Egg Harbor City, Galloway Township, Town of Hammonton, Mullica Township and the City of Port Republic. The eight communities along the Mullica River collaborated on an 85-minute documentary about the Mullica River watershed, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
The educational film communicates the importance of connectivity between upstream and downstream communities along the 50.6-mile-long Mullica River. The project was made possible through a Sustainable Jersey grant funded by the PSEG Foundation. Common interests explored in the film include history, wetlands issues, climate change, litter, illegal dumping, off-road vehicle damage, native plant and animal awareness, storm and wastewater management, loss of habitats and more.
The film features Atlantic County Utilities Chairman Rick Dovey speaking about the ACUA Wind Farm on the White Horse Pike in Atlantic City and planner Jim Rutala speaking about how Absecon Island communities are tackling backbay flooding. Sustainable Margate Chairman Steve Jasiecki was instrumental in providing some of the video footage used in the film.
“Imagine the opportunity for eight contiguous New Jersey towns to weave their histories, ecological concerns and visions for the future into a joint presentation,” Go Green Galloway and Galloway Township Environmental Commission Chairman Stephen Fiedler said. “Linked by a beautiful river watershed system that has sustained nature and humans for eons, these ‘Friends Along the Mullica’ would like to share their piece of New Jersey with you.”
The film can be viewed on YouTube http://youtu.be/KDB5sVIcvEg.
Other Atlantic County communities awarded recertification at the Bronze level include Hammonton with 215 points, Egg Harbor Township with 210 points, and Egg Harbor City with 180 points.
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