PLUMSTED ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS

Ralph Bittner III
          Chairman

Ed Weirsky
Also serves on the Municipal Utilities Authority

Miguel Garces
Also serves on the Planning/Land Use Board

Mark Reme
Also serves on the Green Technology Advisory Committee

William Lewis

COMMUNITY SERVICE & OUTREACH

·         Reached out to private lands biologist Brian Marsh from the Federal U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for potential stream restoration project on Crosswicks Creek.  The program Brian manages deals with private land owners and must meet set criteria to be considered.  Met with Brian and Mid Atlantic Growers owner on March 9^th and walked property, after which was determined that project success was limited and no further action was to be taken. 

·         March 18^th met with Laurie Pettigrew, coauthor of New Jersey Wildlife Viewing Guide, at Colliers Mills WMA to discuss possible increased viewing opportunities for the public at the WMA.  Toured property and gave suggestions and pointed out potential locations for wildlife viewing platforms.  Laurie is from the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife and is in charge of instituting projects to enhance publicly owned properties within the state.

·         Organized in conjunction with Main Street New Egypt, Neighborhood Preservation Organization, and the New Jersey Youth Corp a stream cleanup of the Crosswicks Creek. The two day event, April29-30, will tackle debris and litter along the banks of the creek. Contacted Watershed Ambassador Meghan Keffer to add an educational element to the Environmental Commission’s action.

·         As part of creek cleanup donated a wood duck box to private landowner along the Crosswicks Creek.

·         Participated in 2010 Plumsted Township Library’s Earth Day celebration all day event in the month of April. Commissioner William Lewis assembled and spoke about environmental issues surrounding the township and displayed a Bluebird Awareness exhibit. Also Ralph Bitter manned the Environmental Commission’s table promoting environmental education and outreach.

·         Meet with and presented a Bluebird Awareness presentation to 40 seniors at their monthly Senior Outreach Services (SOS) meeting in April of 2010.

·         School Outreach- High school Environmental club. Provided the leader of the club a letter of support for an Ocean’s First grant for a composting project at the high school

·         Upon being contacted by a teacher from the Primary school arranged a meeting with organic Good Tree Farm owner and discussed possible involvement of the farm with the Primary school’s objective of obtaining an organic garden on school property. Set up meeting for teacher Linda Howard and Mr. Hisham to meet and discuss donations and logistics of organic gardening.

·         New Commissioner attended ANJEC Environmental Commission Training Course, 2010

·         July 7th, acknowledged that the township proclaimed the Eastern Bluebird as Plumsted Township’s official township bird.

·         Annual photo contest, “Seasons of Plumsted” sponsored by the Environmental Commission from May to September. Categories were Natural Landscapes and Animals/Wildlife. Contestants ranged from youth to adult.

·         PEC setup a display table for photos from the Seasons of Plumsted photo contestants. Public was able to vote on favorite photos during the annual NE FALL FEST. Festival Favorite was below submission from Charlotte Lewis.

·         Committee acquired a literature display and distribution system stationed in the Plumsted Municipal building.

·         Committee purchased and installed status board located at the recycling center as a media outlet for public information and outreach materials.

·         PTEC reviewed 6 development applications for current year.

Outlook for 2011

The PTEC is looking forward to continuing our mission of promoting the environmental issues that matter to our residents here in Plumsted Township.  Activities either sponsored or cosponsored by the commission in the near future are to include but not be limited to:  rain barrel workshop, stream cleanup, bluebird nest box trail, natural holiday wreath workshop-spring and winter, Seasons of Plumsted photo contest, and participation in several township wide festivals and fairs.

The commission encourages the public to attend meetings and learn more about our sponsored events.  Also we have a separate email mailing list for those who want to regularly receive information on our sponsored events or related environmental correspondence.  To sign up use the below email and in subject line include “email mailing list”.   If you are interested in serving on the commission or volunteering for the many different activities and or have questions or comments please email us at plumstedtownshipec@gmail.com.