Sustainable Jersey Certification and Grant
The Green Team
certification and a $10,000 grant. Sustainable Jersey is a
certification program for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go
green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life
over the long term.
Of the state’s 566 municipalities, only 96 have been certified.
To become Sustainable Jersey certified, The Township of Washington had
to complete a balance of the rigorous program’s sustainability
actions. In addition, the township created a Green Team and did two
priority actions by completing 1) energy audits for municipal
buildings and 2) a sustainable land use pledge. The grant funds will
be used towards a conservation easement inventory.
“Washington Township is very thankful for receiving this grant. We
have always been very conscious of our natural resources and beauty.
The Township has been a leader in pro-active measures to protect our
environment. The Township Committee, Planning Board, and Environmental
Commission spends numerous hours developing environmental ordinances
and taking proactive measures for enforcement. This grant will allow
us to expand our monitoring program and provide for a better quality
of life for our residents and those in the surrounding communities,”
Mayor Ken Short said.
To get involved with the township’s Green Team and sustainability
initiatives or another volunteer committee, please complete and submit
a Volunteer Leadership form available at http://www.wtmorris.org/clerk/PDF/leadership.pdf.
To participate in Sustainable Jersey free workshops and events held
across the state, visit the News/Events/Trainings page at www.SustainableJersey.com.
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New Jersey is the first state in the nation to have a comprehensive
sustainability program for communities that links certification with
strong state and private financial incentives, and a fully resourced
program of technical support and training. As of October 2011, 350 of
New Jersey’s towns and cities (62% or 350 towns across all 21
counties) have registered to become Sustainable Jersey certified. By
supporting community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas
emissions, and improve environmental equity, Sustainable Jersey is
empowering New Jersey towns to build a better world for future
generations. The program has distributed over half a million dollars
to New Jersey communities to support an estimated 1,500 actions taken
"on the ground" to make communities more livable, environmentally
friendly and prosperous. Nearly 75% of the New Jersey’s population
lives in registered/certified Sustainable Jersey communities.
Sustainable Jersey is a collaborative effort between the New Jersey
State League of Municipalities’ Mayors’ Committee for a Green Future
and the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey, in
partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection, and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. The policies
and other substantive contents of the program are developed though a
transparent participatory process involving NGOs, academics,
government, and the business community. Sustainable Jersey is
underwritten by Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities. Program sponsors include PSEG Foundation, New
Jersey Natural Gas, Church and Dwight, Covanta Energy, EcoMatters, NJ
American Water, Real Goods Solar, South Jersey Gas, Terhune Orchards,
Waste Management of New Jersey, Atlantic City Electric, Citizens’
Campaign, Concord Engineering, and the New Jersey Food Council.
www.sustainablejersey.com