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1 Parker Road Chester, NJ 07930 Phone: (908) 879-5100 Fax: (908) 879-8281 |
Environmental CommissionAttention Chester Residents!Would you like some help with identifying exotic invasive plants on your property? A member of the Chester Environmental Commission will be happy to walk your property with you, show you how to identify these problematic plants, and make suggestions for control. This public service is absolutely free! Our goal is to improve the health of Chester's forests. Please call (908) 879-5100 x823 or email sjnoll@chestertownship.org to request a visit. Chester Township Buildings Get Efficient LightingHigh-efficiency, low-wattage lighting is being installed at Chester Township buildings, thanks to a 2011 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, awarded to the Chester Environmental Commission. This innovative program creates green jobs that put these young men to work, helping us to lower our town's energy bills. That's a win-win-win. Let the energy savings begin!  
Chester Township Achieves Bronze Level of Sustainable Jersey CertificationChester Township has met the rigorous requirements to achieve the Bronze level of Sustainable Jersey certification. It is one of 67 New Jersey municipalities that have attained certification since the program began in 2009. To become Sustainable Jersey certified at the Bronze level, Chester Township submitted documentation to show it had completed 150 points of the required sustainability actions. In addition to reaching the required points, each community had to create a Green Team and select at least two of the six priority actions. Chester Township did two of the six priority actions by completing a Natural Resource Inventory and a Fleet Inventory. They also submitted actions focusing on Community Outreach, Farmland Preservation, Open Space Plans, Recycling, and others. Residents are encouraged to check out sustainability-related opportunities and events on the Green Team’s web page, and Facebook page, two ways the Green Team is using technology to help with community outreach. “It’s quite an accomplishment to become Sustainable Jersey certified,” said Fred Profeta, Chair of the New Jersey League of Municipalities’ Mayors’ Committee for a Green Future, a Sustainable Jersey program partner. “The 2010 certified towns have joined an elite group of municipalities that are leading the way with impressive sustainability initiatives in New Jersey while providing a model for towns across the United States.” Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency and health and wellness, smart land use and transportation, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources, and addressing diversity and equity. “These are exceptional towns with outstanding programs. We’ve been amazed to see how this program has catalyzed community spirit and fostered grassroots leadership, cross-sector creativity and collaboration across New Jersey,” said Donna Drewes of the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey (MLUC@TCNJ), a Sustainable Jersey partner. Randall Solomon of the MLUC@TCNJ, congratulated the certified towns. “Our winners are municipal leaders that are making extraordinary contributions toward the long-term goal of a sustainable New Jersey and world.” The Chester Green Team is continuing to work on actions that improve sustainability. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please visit www.SustainableJersey.com. Want to help? Contact the Environmental Commission at (908) 879-5100 x823. Additional Information2012 Native Plant Sale - Photos of Plants AvailablePhotos of plants available 2012 Native Plant Sale Order Form & List of Plants AvailableNative Plant Sale List and Order Form Chester Township Fights Invasive PlantsInteresting article Chester's Ten Worst WeedsMultiflora rose, Japanese barberry, Autumn olive, Oriental bittersweet, Bush honeysuckle, Japanese knotweed, Garlic mustard, Wineberry, Japanese stiltgrass & Winged burning bush - Learn control measures Energy Savings BrochureChester residents: Would you like to lower your electric bill? The Chester Enviornmental Commission recommends easy tips to reduce your energy usage and lower your electricity bill, without having to make major investments. Please check out this energy savings brochure for ideas. Follow the recommendations and watch your electricity bill go down, down, down! Further tips and information about energy rebates can also be found at www.njcleanenergy.com. Meeting Dates and Mission StatementMonthly meetings - usually scheduled the second Monday of each month and residents are welcome to attend Shade & Street Tree ListSome trees are: American Beech, Eastern Red Cedar, Flowering Dogwood, Red Maple, Red Oak, American Sycamore and the Tulip Tree Storm Drain Fact SheetThe attached fact sheet on storm drain pollution was prepared by Benjamin Spinelli, a student at Black River Middle School. He was one of the science fair Environmental Commission award recipients. The Problem of Invasive Alien PlantsInvasive alien plant species are non-native plants that can cause harm to our environment, economy and health. Invasive plants are a problem in our woodlands, meadows, gardens, farms and road sides where they displace native species. Volunteers Improve Township ParksVolunteers improve the ecological health of Township Parks - MacGregor Preserve & Tiger Brook Park LinksCentral Jersey Invasive Species Strike TeamThe Upper Raritan Watershed Association, in partnership with Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space is pleased to announce the creation of the Central Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team. The Strike Team represents the state's first comprehensive effort toward invasive plant management through a public-private partnership that is pooling its expertise and resources to reduce the spread of invasive plants. Great Swamp Watershed AssociationThe Great Swamp Watershed Association is a member-based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting water and natural areas. They offer visitors nearly 36,000 acreas of unique and beautiful landscape at the edge of urban and suburban development. Five streams in the watershed form the Passaic River, which provides drinking water for over a million New Jersey residents. For more information, click on their website. Morris County Park CommissionDiscover the many parks of the Morris County Park System, some are located within Chester Township, such as Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, Cooper Mill, Elizabeth D. Kay Environmental Center, and Willowwood Arboretum. Enjoy hiking, picnicing, golfing, boating and much more. For more information, click on their website. New Jersey Audubon SocietyThe New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) is a privately supported, not-for-profit, statewide membership organization. It was founded in 1897. They foster enviornmental awareness and a conservation ethnic among New Jersey's citizens; protects New Jersey's birds, mammals, other animals and plants, especially endangered and threatened species; and promotes preservation of New Jersey's valuable natural habitats. Fore more information, click on their website. New Jersey Parks and ForestsWelcome to New Jersey's state parks, forests and historic sites. Whether you're looking for an action packed day of hiking and swimming or camping, there's plenty of things to see and do in their 42 parks, 11 forests and 3 recreation areas. With more than 50 historic sites and districts, New Jersey's past is rich with stories to tell. This is evident in the historic homes, landscapes and battlefields where Washington and the Continental Army spent almost half of the American Revolutionary War. For more information, click on their website. Raritan Headwaters AssociationIn October 2011, the Upper Raritan Watershed Association and the South Branch Watershed Association merged to form the Raritan Headwaters Association. These groups have served as effective advocates for conservation throughout the 39 communities that make up the Raritan Headwaters Watershed. This new partnership will allow for the continuing protection of precious water resources and natural systems. Find out about their programs and learn more by visiting www.raritanheadwaters.org. Schiff Natural Lands Trust & Nature PreserveCentral to Schiff's mission is preserving additional land for conservation and passive recreational purposes. To that end, they are always at work raising funds for local land conservation. For more information, click on their website. Stormwater EducationWelcome to NJDEP's stormwater web site. Here you'll find information about our storm water permitting and management programs and other useful ideas on how you can help keep our state's waters clean. The Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy is the largest conservation organization in the world with Chapters in all 50 states and programs in 30 countries. The New Jersey Chapter, based in Chester, uses the best available science to protect the most ecologically important areas of the state, in line with its mission to protect the plants, animals, and natural communities that make up the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. |