Sustainable Jersey for Schools

Sustainable Jersey and the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) will create a voluntary sustainability certification program called "Sustainable Jersey for Schools," designed specifically for New Jersey's traditional public school districts and public charter schools. To develop the program content and certification framework, NJSBA and Sustainable Jersey will build a comprehensive coalition of educational organizations and academic, business and state agency partners. A July 22, 2013 kick-off meeting at The College of New Jersey is planned. More Info. Register.

To support the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program we added three education-focused members to the Sustainable Jersey Board. The new members are John Bulina, President of the New Jersey School Boards Association, Dr. Scott McCartney, Superintendent of Schools, for Egg Harbor Township and Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, Executive Director of the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Sustainable Fare for Sustainable Jersey: Farm to Table Fundraiser

The best local chefs presenting the best local ingredients! Join us on July 25, 2013 at Terhune Orchards in Princeton for a 7 course dinner with wine pairing and local music. Dinner to be prepared by chefs:

• Christopher Albrecht, Eno Terra
• Scott Anderson, Elements/Mistral
• Aaron Philipson, Blue Bottle Cafe
• Jonathan Benno, Lincoln Ristorante
• Josh Thomsen, Agricola
• Christine Merker, Meals For Reals
• Gabby Carbone, The Bent Spoon

The event is sponsored by Terhune Orchards and Advanced Solar Products. More Info. Register.

Pilot Shows that Aggressive GHG Reductions are Possible

Sustainable Jersey partnered with the NJ Board of Public Utilities' Clean Energy Program (CEP) and NJ municipalities to implement an incentive and outreach program for CEP programs that lead to GHG reductions. The goal is have residents, businesses and local governments adopt more sustainable energy practices. The initial results are in:

• 36% participation increase in CEP Direct Install Program due to Montclair Township's It's In Our Power campaign
• 165% participation increase in Home Performance with Energy Star Program due to Highland Park outreach effort
• 58% combined increase in participation rates for Energy Efficiency Appliances, Early Appliance Retirement Program, Direct Install Program and Home Performance with Energy Star program due to the Cherry Hill Township's It's in Our Power campaign

The pilot program was implemented over a two year period with focused grass-roots outreach. The results were measured and the effectiveness of the outreach approach was evaluated. The successful approaches identified through the pilot program were turned into the four new Sustainable Jersey certification energy actions for other municipalities to try.

Got a project that needs funding?

Currently, $380,000 in grant money is available to New Jersey municipalities. Funded by Walmart, this cycle of the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program will support seventy local projects that leverage resources to make communities more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous. With this contribution, Walmart will exceed the $1,000,000 mark having provided funding for the grant program each year since 2009. This first cycle of the 2013 Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program will award local governments with one $50,000 grant, four $20,000 grants, fifteen $10,000 grants for projects and fifty $2,000 capacity building grants. Applications are due on August 4, 2013. Sustainable Jersey anticipates a second cycle of the Small Grants program in late September 2013.

Sustainable Jersey Sustainability Summit

This one-of-a-kind event, on September 18, 2013, will bring together New Jersey's top sustainability experts with academics, state and local agencies, organizations, Sustainable Jersey Green Team and Task Force members and the interested public. The purpose of the summit is to provide and inspire collaborative and productive conversation about the sustainability goals for New Jersey. Participants will discuss ideas, best practices and strategies for the future. Sustainable Jersey will give participants briefing papers in advance on key topics that summarize research, goals and proposed direction for New Jersey and the region. Event details will be announced in early July 2013, which will include the name of the impressive keynote speaker.

Mark Your Calendar

• Sustainable Jersey for Schools Program "Kick Off" Meeting: July 22, 2013 1:00 - 3:30 pm, TCNJ School of Education, Room 212
• Sustainable Fare for Sustainable Jersey Farm to Table Fundraising Dinner: July 25, 2013; 6pm - 9pm, Terhune Farm
• Sustainable Jersey Sustainability Summit: September 18, 2013; 8 am - 5:00 pm, Duke Farms

Our Sponsors

Sustainable Jersey is underwritten by:







Leader for Sustainability:



Partner for Sustainability:



Friends of Sustainability:

Friends of Sustainability:

Contributor to Sustainability:

Participant of Sustainability

And special thanks to Wal-Mart for their very special contribution to fund the 2009-2013 Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program.