OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

2015 Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards! The awards ceremony and luncheon were held on Tuesday afternoon, December 15, at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton. Descriptions and photos for each of our winners are below. Special thanks to our sponsors, the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust and the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology, and our partner, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.

• DEP Press Release about Awards Ceremony and Winners

Clean Air Category

This award is presented to a nominee that demonstrates a commitment to, and experience in, one or more of the following areas and activities:

• Reducing air pollution emissions and/or reducing outdoor exposure to toxic air contaminants;
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions or equivalents through energy efficiency projects or green power purchases; and
• Reducing air deposition loading to land and water.

Winner: Salem Community College, Carneys Point

In partnership with Schneider Electric, Salem Community College embarked on an Energy Savings Improvement Program. This program, which began construction earlier this year, is anticipated to reduce the school’s energy costs by more than 40 percent, or nearly $300,000 per year. This will be achieved through a combination of energy efficiency measures, including lighting upgrades, water conservation, building improvements, power management measures, and a solar power purchase agreement. This project will transition the college to almost 100 percent on-site, renewable energy. It is also providing necessary facility improvements, including upgraded HVAC systems and continuous power, funded entirely through energy savings. This project is the culmination of a three-year comprehensive plan to address the total environmental footprint of the college.

Water Resources Category

This award is presented to a nominee that demonstrates a positive influence in one or more of the following areas and activities:

• Improving surface or ground water quality;
• Ensuring sufficient quantities of water through reuse and conservation techniques; and
• Promotion or development of progressive land use policies and watershed management approaches to improve protection of surface and groundwater sources.

Winner: Raritan Headwaters Association, Bedminster

The Raritan Headwaters Association, comprised of staff and volunteers, takes on many tasks in its efforts to protect, preserve and improve water quality and natural resources of the Raritan River headwaters region. As part of its water protection program, the association monitors stream water quality and cleans streams; partners with municipalities to help residents conduct annual test of well-water quality; educates about watershed science; advocates for strong clean water policies and practices; and preserves lands critical to protecting water resources.

Healthy Ecosystems Category

This award is presented to a nominee that demonstrates experience in programs or techniques that have resulted in the restoration, protection and enhancement of the State’s ecological resources. These resources include wetlands, estuaries and coastal areas, as well as non-game and/or threatened and endangered species.

Winner: American Littoral Society, Highlands

Backed by funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the American Littoral Society has led several core partners in restoration and research efforts of critical habitat in Delaware Bay, post-Superstorm Sandy. To date, the scope of its Delaware Bay project has involved the restoration of seven beaches along the bay shore; the creation of an experimental oyster reef; and the employment of multiple construction companies and businesses for the projects. Additionally, the American Littoral Society has created a military veteran paid intern program, provided educational outreach to more than 23,000 people and designed and implemented studies to better gauge project results and adaptively manage the project.

Innovative Technology Category

This award is presented to a nominee that demonstrates the use or deployment of a new or alternative method, procedure, process, system or facility, which results in greater environmental protection than other technologies in current practice or comparable results at lower costs in terms of energy, natural resources or environmental impacts.

Winner: Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, Pennington

The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association opened up a new Watershed Center that actively demonstrates ways to improve the management of energy and water. The new center provides a compelling platform from which the association can advance its mission to protect water and the natural environment. The new facility received LEED Platinum Certification with high scores awarded for water efficiency, optimized energy performance and on-site renewable energy generation. Special features include efficient lighting, cooling, heating and ventilation systems; solar panel array; green roof; low- flow fixtures and sensor faucets; recycled or sustainably produced building materials; onsite wetlands-based wastewater treatment; reduced use of pavement and lawns; and, the use of bio-swales and rain gardens. The center features new classrooms, a science laboratory, GIS computer training room, interactive exhibits, community meeting spaces and staff offices. Staff members host tours of the center to showcase its features.

Land Conservation Category

This award is presented to a nominee that demonstrates a commitment to, and experience in, the preservation of open space that protects land from future development.

Winner: Bloomfield Township

Bloomfield Township’s “Third River Urban Park and Floodplain Wetlands Creation Project” combines public park use with urban habitat and storm resiliency as an alternative to more traditional brownfield capping, which is impervious and can cause flooding. Instead, the Third River project involved acquisition of multiple lots comprising an urbanized, flood-prone, industrial site and conversion of this area to an 18.5-acre public park containing significant acreage for wetlands creation, riverfront habitat, and stormwater storage. Key land conservation outcomes include the creation of urban open space, creation and enhancement of freshwater wetlands through removal of historic fill material, and urban habitat and flood resiliency.

Healthy and Sustainable Businesses Category

This award is presented to a nominee that demonstrates a commitment to, and experience in, any of the following activities:

• An activity that addresses pollution/waste reduction, recycling, land use, local purchasing, sustainability, resource conservation or product stewardship;
• Innovative practices or technologies that have resulted in the private or public sector cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated/brownfields sites; and
• Creation of community-based initiatives that foster involvement, action and effective solutions to the adverse effects of industrial pollution in overburdened and low-income communities.

Winner: Wyndham Worldwide, Parsippany

Since 2006, Wyndham Worldwide has invested in exploring and adopting innovative sustainability practices through its Wyndham Green program. The program focuses on sustainability across the company, as well as at its corporate campus on Sylvan Way in Parsippany. Both campus buildings have earned either gold or silver LEED certifications for building interiors and/or operations and maintain an Energy Star score of 98. They demonstrate substantial reductions of energy and water use, as well as increased volume of recycled waste, and each features a complimentary vehicle charging station. The Town Square Café at 22 Sylvan Way was also re-certified as a four-star green restaurant by the Green Restaurant .Wyndham Worldwide also partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to help save the rainforest by only serving sustainably grown coffee in all break rooms at the campus sites. The company also established the Giving Garden at 22 Sylvan Way, which grows organic produce and donates it to local food banks.

Healthy & Sustainable Communities Category

This award is presented to a nominee that demonstrates a commitment to, and experience in, any of the following activities:

• An activity that addresses pollution/waste reduction, recycling, land use, local purchasing, sustainability, resource conservation or product stewardship;
• Innovative practices or technologies that have resulted in the private or public sector cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated/brownfields sites; and
• Creation of community-based initiatives that foster involvement, action and effective solutions to the adverse effects of industrial pollution in overburdened and low-income communities.

Winner: Long Beach Township

Long Beach Township is known statewide for its efforts in environmental protection, healthy and sustainable practices and coastal resiliency. It is an active partner in the Barnegat Bay Partnership and aligns its activities with Governor Christie’s action plan for Barnegat Bay. This year, it became the inaugural town to receive the Municipal Blue Star Certification from Clean Ocean Action. The township’s sustainability activities in post-Sandy resiliency efforts include replacement of more than 50 miles of water and sewer lines, four pump stations and 50 storm water basins; active leadership in “Getting to Resiliency” planning efforts; and vegetation of dunes and open space with native coastal flora throughout Long Beach Island. Additional sustainability activities include the installation of six hydration stations and connection of residents with migratory coastal wildlife through a “Pollinator Potluck and Honey Harvest” event.

Environmental Education Category: Adult-led

Nominees in these two categories should demonstrate implementation of a program or project that has measurable positive impacts in environmental protection and education. One award will be given to an adult educator and one will be given to students/youth in grades K-12 (student involvement must be emphasized)

Winner: Galloway Township Public Schools – Mr. B’s Backyard Classroom

The Galloway Township Public School District utilizes a study site known as Mr. B’s Backyard Classroom. This vegetated aquatic site, comprised of stormwater retention and detention basins, is visited and studied by over 800 elementary and middle school students from Galloway Township Middle School as well as the Reeds Road and Roland Rogers elementary schools. Students participate in science lessons, tours and demonstrations about watersheds, soils, ponds, aquatic flora and fauna, land use and water pollution. These visits are conducted by science teachers and guest speakers from the surrounding community and have applications such as data analysis, nature-inspired writing and nature appreciation through art. Some students develop a lesson, make presentation boards, and create activities to be presented at the annual Mr. B’s Backyard Classroom Nature Fest which is held in June for over 1,200 students, faculty, parents and community members. The outdoor classroom was dedicated in memory of Guy Buckelew, a sixth-grade teacher who instilled a sense of environmental awareness in students.

Environmental Education Category: Youth-led

Winner: Connor Señor, Glenwood

After Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy caused severe erosion to a section of the Appalachian Trail known as “Stairway to Heaven,” Connor Señor, 16, embarked on an Eagle Scout project to repair damage along the trail within Wawayanda State Park that begins in Vernon Township. The repair efforts of Señor and friends from high school and Boy Scout Troop 283 included clearing downed vegetation and reconstructing trail features that had eroded or were damage. The project required hundreds of hours of work since no motorized equipment can be used in trail work. Some 24 tons of fill and 12 tons of stone that were placed over 900 feet of trail. Materials were donated by Baldwin Sand & Gravel and Wawayanda State Park.

Environmentalist of the Year

Nominees in this category should demonstrate committed values toward the environment and an appreciation of it and their accomplishments should contribute to the conservation, restoration and protection of New Jersey’s natural resources and environmental quality.

Winner: Wall Township Environmental Advisory Committee

The Wall Township Environmental Advisory Committee produced a unique pictorial book entitled, Life in Wall Township: Past and Present, which serves as the committee’s 35th Year Commemorative Heritage book. It includes more than 350 photographs and illustrations about local plants and animals; water bodies and waterways; gardens; farms; historic, natural, aesthetic, recreational, business and tourism sites; fire and police facilities; schools; churches and cemeteries; and, historic maps and documents. Previous efforts of the volunteer committee, created by township ordinance, include signage; environmental summits and fairs; environmental poetry, essay and poster contests for students; nesting platforms; rain gardens and flower gardens; a self-guided nature trail; open space acquisition; waterway cleanups; and anti-idling and water-pollution public information and signage campaigns.

 

Note: The preceding project and winner descriptions are based on information provided by the applicants and/or third party nominators.