Events & News
Upcoming Events
Environmental Commission Meeting
The next Environmental Commission Meeting will be held on Monday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM at the Cranford Community Center. Click here to view our complete meeting calendar.
Green Team Meeting
The next Green Team Meeting will be held on Thursday, June ?th at 7:00 PM at the Cranford Community Center. Join us and get involved!
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Back Yard Composting Training Session
Saturday, May 18th at 10:00AM
Back Yard composting is an easy way to reduce waste while improving soil health and fertility. Our short training session will be presented by Isabella Maloney and Jessica Casale, who are members of the Cranford High School Environmental Club. You will learn the best way to manage your compost pile or bin and how back yard composting can help the environment.
The Cranford Environmental Commission is also offering the Garden Gourmet Compost Bin at a reduced price of only $48.75 (list price: $119.99). There are only 7 units left at this reduced price and the offer includes a free Sure-Close kitchen container with each purchase (a $30 value). Orders will be taken on a first come first serve basis. The bins are also available online at http://mygreencranford.org/Backyard_Composting.html at our standard price.
This free training session will be held at the Cranford Community Center, Walnut Avenue on Saturday, May 18th at 10:00 AM. A second session is scheduled for June 15th.
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Saturday, May 18th at 10:00AM
Back Yard composting is an easy way to reduce waste while improving soil health and fertility. Our short training session will be presented by Isabella Maloney and Jessica Casale, who are members of the Cranford High School Environmental Club. You will learn the best way to manage your compost pile or bin and how back yard composting can help the environment.
The Cranford Environmental Commission is also offering the Garden Gourmet Compost Bin at a reduced price of only $48.75 (list price: $119.99). There are only 7 units left at this reduced price and the offer includes a free Sure-Close kitchen container with each purchase (a $30 value). Orders will be taken on a first come first serve basis. The bins are also available online at http://mygreencranford.org/Backyard_Composting.html at our standard price.
This free training session will be held at the Cranford Community Center, Walnut Avenue on Saturday, May 18th at 10:00 AM. A second session is scheduled for June 15th.
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Friday, May 17 - 9:00am - 2:00pm and Saturday, May18 - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Kean University - Harwood Arena, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Web Site: http://www.gardenstategreenfest.com/index.html
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Climate Change Preparedness in New Jersey: Leading Practices and Policy Priorities
Sponsored by the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Cook Campus Center, Rutgers University
59 Biel Road, New Brunswick, NJ
Visit: http://climatechange.rutgers.edu/njadapt
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Sponsored by the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Cook Campus Center, Rutgers University
59 Biel Road, New Brunswick, NJ
Visit: http://climatechange.rutgers.edu/njadapt
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Union County To Host 9th Annual 24-Hour Bio-Blitz Survey
June 14 & 15, 2013 5:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Get out from behind that desk and into the field for an opportunity to be a part of Union County’s 9th Annual Bio-Blitz!
We need your skills, expertise and enthusiasm to help us sample, observe, identify and record fungi, plant & animal species that live in Nomahegan, Lenape and Echo Lake Parks. Help us gain a “snapshot” of the area’s biodiversity and in the process raise awareness among the general public about the importance of parkland as outdoor classrooms and wildlife habitat.
Print Flyer
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June 14 & 15, 2013 5:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Get out from behind that desk and into the field for an opportunity to be a part of Union County’s 9th Annual Bio-Blitz!
We need your skills, expertise and enthusiasm to help us sample, observe, identify and record fungi, plant & animal species that live in Nomahegan, Lenape and Echo Lake Parks. Help us gain a “snapshot” of the area’s biodiversity and in the process raise awareness among the general public about the importance of parkland as outdoor classrooms and wildlife habitat.
Print Flyer
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Latest News
Cranford Township Seeks to Reduce Impervious Surfaces by 10% by 2015 January 30, 2013
The Cranford Township Committee announced it is seeking to reduce impervious surfaces on municipal property by 10% by 2015. In a resolution approved by the Committee, the pledged reduction will demonstrate the community’s commitment to improved storm water management practices.
Mayor Tom Hannen said: “ Impervious surfaces do not let storm water get into the ground which causes the run off that contributes to flooding. While we know that better storm water management has many facets that we believe we must implement , the pledge and follow up actions will contribute to reduce run off.”
Read More
The Cranford Township Committee announced it is seeking to reduce impervious surfaces on municipal property by 10% by 2015. In a resolution approved by the Committee, the pledged reduction will demonstrate the community’s commitment to improved storm water management practices.
Mayor Tom Hannen said: “ Impervious surfaces do not let storm water get into the ground which causes the run off that contributes to flooding. While we know that better storm water management has many facets that we believe we must implement , the pledge and follow up actions will contribute to reduce run off.”
Read More
Feb. 14, 2013 CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES PARTICIPATION IN REUSE MARKETPLACE Web-based Resource to Exchange Reusable Items, Reduce Waste, Capture Value and Save Money for Businesses and Institutions in the State (13/12) TRENTON-- In conjunction with six other northeastern states, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection today announced New Jersey's participation in the newly launched Reuse Marketplace, a web-based resource aimed at exchanging reusable items, reducing waste, saving money and capturing value of excess or unwanted items by finding new owners for these products, equipment or materials. Reuse Marketplace (www.ReuseMarketplace.org) is a free regional website that can be tapped by businesses, municipalities, school districts and other institutions and non-profit organizations for posting or obtaining reusable, surplus or barely used materials. "Reuse is an environmental and economic tool that keeps goods and materials out of the waste stream,'' said Jane Kozinski, DEP Assistant Commissioner of Environmental Management. "It can be effective in reducing air and water pollution, and reducing the strain on valuable resources, such as fuel, forests and water supplies, which helps safeguard wildlife habitats. It also can help reduce the amount of trash disposed of annually and cut disposal costs.'' Participating states include New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Participating businesses include All American Waste, Casella Waste Systems, Global Plastics Recycling, GreenCycle, Harvest Power, Wheelabrator Technologies, and Willimantic Waste Paper Company. Reuse members create free accounts and post listings for available items. They also may post detailed wanted listings, specifying the type(s) of items they need. While anyone can browse and access posted items, only members can post items to offer. Actual exchange transactions are carried out directly between interested parties. The Marketplace includes more than 30 categories of items ranging from agricultural to textiles, plus some 60 related subcategories. Items currently on offer at the site -- to buy, sell, trade or give away -- include slate roofing tiles, overhead garage doors, televisions, office supplies, clean fill, and even a modular medical building, among many others. The Reuse Marketplace site administrator is the Northeast Recycling Council (www.nerc.org), a regional non-profit group dedicated to an environmentally sustainable economy through source reduction, reuse, recycling and green purchasing. The Council is responsible for reviewing site membership requests and all listings prior to having them posted. For more information or to participate in the program call 609-984-3438 or 802-254-3636, or email to steven.rinaldi@dep.state.nj.us or lynn@nerc.org.
East Coast Greenway in Cranford New Jersey
The East Coast Greenway is a developing trail system, spanning nearly 3,000 miles as it winds its way between Canada and Key West, linking all the major cities of the eastern seaboard. Over 25 percent of the route is already on safe, traffic-free paths.
Read More
Strict fertilizer regulations take effect across New Jersey
By SARAH WATSON January 5, 2013
Judd McLaughlin spends about 90 minutes every week during the warmer months fertilizing and tending to his Linwood lawn.
But a new law goes into effect today regulating what kind of fertilizer consumers can buy in New Jersey and how much of the material they can use per year. The law also regulates how much fertilizer professionals can apply.
Read more
By SARAH WATSON January 5, 2013
Judd McLaughlin spends about 90 minutes every week during the warmer months fertilizing and tending to his Linwood lawn.
But a new law goes into effect today regulating what kind of fertilizer consumers can buy in New Jersey and how much of the material they can use per year. The law also regulates how much fertilizer professionals can apply.
Read more
Environmental Commission Accomplishes Much in 2012
Cranford – The Cranford Environmental Commission recently released its Annual Report for 2012. Nelson Dittmar, Chair of the Commission, says, “We are very proud of our accomplishments this year, believing that, in a small way, they have enhanced the quality of life and the environment in Cranford. We are very grateful for the support of the Township Committee, in particular our liaison, Ed O’Malley.”
The principal projects in 2012 were the development of stormwater management recommendations, the continuing development of the green business program, our web site My Green Cranford, and an Energy Efficiency Fair.
In September, we recommended to the Township Committee, that it should:
• Pledge to a 10% reduction in impervious surfaces on school and municipal facilities by 2015.
• Amend existing ordinances to include a mandatory stormwater mitigation plan for development proposals that include the addition of 100 square feet or more of impervious surface.
We are working with the current Township Committee to implement these suggestions.
We worked with the Mayors’ Council on Rahway River Watershed Flood Control during the year. We prepared for the Council a list of stormwater goals and ideas. It is summarized at our web site, mygreencranford.org.
Cranford was certified as a Sustainable Community in 2010 by Sustainable Jersey, a statewide program that encourages communities that want to go green to pursue local initiatives and actions that will control costs and save money. Over 350 communities in New Jersey have registered for the program, of which 125 have been certified. Working with The Green Team, we continued some of these programs, including the Green Business recognition program, which recognizes businesses for taking actions that benefit the environment while being economically beneficial. Over twenty-five businesses were certified as being green and received certificates of recognition from the Mayor. We also offered to residents plots in the Community Gardens at Walnut Avenue School.
We expressed our concern to the Township Committee about the proposed removal of hundreds of mature trees at the proposed development on Birchwood Avenue.
Mygreencranford.com serves as a resource guide for residents for issues relating to the environment, energy-savings ideas, and environmental events. There is a resource page with links to helpful green web sites. Visitors have the option to sign up for the e-mail newsletter, which offers monthly tips and news. The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions awarded us one of its Environmental Achievement awards for the quality of our site.
Sustainable Jersey selected the Township for a $2000 Sustainable Jersey grant for our Backyard Composter Program. The program will be introduced in the spring of 2013 and will educate residents about the benefits of composting. Workshops will be held and compost bins are now available at a reduced rate. Kitchen Collection Buckets will be distributed for free.
In celebration of Earth Day, we sponsored a display of environment-related books and videos at the Cranford Public Library. Over fifty books were available. A similarly themed display was featured in the children’s room. In addition, the Library and we hosted a screening of “A Sense of Wonder,” a docudrama about Rachel Carson, author of “Silent Spring.”
We held an Energy Efficiency Fair in June at Hanson Park. The Fair included interactive demonstrations, children’s activities, and refreshments. We conducted a workshop of the step-by-step method to build and install rain barrels. Residents were able to buy their own rain barrel kits. We sold energy efficient lighting kits.
In conclusion, Dittmar noted, “I am looking forward to continuing many of these programs in 2013 and starting new ones. Anyone interested in the Commission can send an e-mail message to me at candndittmar@cs.com or come to our next meeting on February 4 at 7:30 at the Community Center. Click here to read the report.
Cranford – The Cranford Environmental Commission recently released its Annual Report for 2012. Nelson Dittmar, Chair of the Commission, says, “We are very proud of our accomplishments this year, believing that, in a small way, they have enhanced the quality of life and the environment in Cranford. We are very grateful for the support of the Township Committee, in particular our liaison, Ed O’Malley.”
The principal projects in 2012 were the development of stormwater management recommendations, the continuing development of the green business program, our web site My Green Cranford, and an Energy Efficiency Fair.
In September, we recommended to the Township Committee, that it should:
• Pledge to a 10% reduction in impervious surfaces on school and municipal facilities by 2015.
• Amend existing ordinances to include a mandatory stormwater mitigation plan for development proposals that include the addition of 100 square feet or more of impervious surface.
We are working with the current Township Committee to implement these suggestions.
We worked with the Mayors’ Council on Rahway River Watershed Flood Control during the year. We prepared for the Council a list of stormwater goals and ideas. It is summarized at our web site, mygreencranford.org.
Cranford was certified as a Sustainable Community in 2010 by Sustainable Jersey, a statewide program that encourages communities that want to go green to pursue local initiatives and actions that will control costs and save money. Over 350 communities in New Jersey have registered for the program, of which 125 have been certified. Working with The Green Team, we continued some of these programs, including the Green Business recognition program, which recognizes businesses for taking actions that benefit the environment while being economically beneficial. Over twenty-five businesses were certified as being green and received certificates of recognition from the Mayor. We also offered to residents plots in the Community Gardens at Walnut Avenue School.
We expressed our concern to the Township Committee about the proposed removal of hundreds of mature trees at the proposed development on Birchwood Avenue.
Mygreencranford.com serves as a resource guide for residents for issues relating to the environment, energy-savings ideas, and environmental events. There is a resource page with links to helpful green web sites. Visitors have the option to sign up for the e-mail newsletter, which offers monthly tips and news. The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions awarded us one of its Environmental Achievement awards for the quality of our site.
Sustainable Jersey selected the Township for a $2000 Sustainable Jersey grant for our Backyard Composter Program. The program will be introduced in the spring of 2013 and will educate residents about the benefits of composting. Workshops will be held and compost bins are now available at a reduced rate. Kitchen Collection Buckets will be distributed for free.
In celebration of Earth Day, we sponsored a display of environment-related books and videos at the Cranford Public Library. Over fifty books were available. A similarly themed display was featured in the children’s room. In addition, the Library and we hosted a screening of “A Sense of Wonder,” a docudrama about Rachel Carson, author of “Silent Spring.”
We held an Energy Efficiency Fair in June at Hanson Park. The Fair included interactive demonstrations, children’s activities, and refreshments. We conducted a workshop of the step-by-step method to build and install rain barrels. Residents were able to buy their own rain barrel kits. We sold energy efficient lighting kits.
In conclusion, Dittmar noted, “I am looking forward to continuing many of these programs in 2013 and starting new ones. Anyone interested in the Commission can send an e-mail message to me at candndittmar@cs.com or come to our next meeting on February 4 at 7:30 at the Community Center. Click here to read the report.
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