Sun Worship!
The New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club called attention to the importance of renewable energy at a Sun Day celebration at Holmdel Park in Holmdel in September. Sun Day is a nationwide day of action celebrating solar and wind power that is organized by the climate advocacy coalition Third Act.
Farm Avoids Eminent Domain
By Taylor McFarland • NJ Sierra Club Chapter Conservation Program Manager
When the news broke that a farm in Cranbury Township, New Jersey, was threatened by eminent domain for housing, it felt like a gut punch. But in late October, the public outcry against this action succeeded in getting Cranbury to back away from taking the land.
Trail Would Connect Northern Towns
By Betsy Longendorfer • Building Electrification Committee
The proposed Northern Valley Greenway (NVG) would convert 7.5 miles of unused and deteriorated CSX rail track into a beautiful greenway for walking and cycling, directly connecting municipal facilities across six Bergen County towns—Tenafly, Cresskill, Demarest, Closter, Norwood, and Northvale.
Why Construct a Greenway?
Beyond the traditional reasons of safety, open space, and recreation, there is a growing emphasis on serving active transportation needs—reducing pollution from commuting and easing traffic congestion for those not using the Greenway.
The Benefits of Green Corridors
Connected green corridors provide many benefits.
Pow Wows: Celebrating Life on Earth
By Disha Rao • Central Jersey Group
This summer, I had the privilege of attending the Raritan Native American Heritage Celebration & Pow Wow in East Brunswick. The event was hosted by the Redhawk Native American Arts Council of New York and New Jersey. For many, a pow wow is a Native American community event that involves a coming together of different tribes. They trade, socialize, dance, and sing. However, not many truly understand the deep cultural and spiritual significance of pow wows, or how intimately their ceremonies are connected to nature and serve as a celebration of life on Earth.
Funding Chips Away at NJ’s Water Problems
By Patricia Hilliard • Hudson County Group
In my previous article, I discussed problems affecting New Jersey’s drinking water supply, such as lead and other chemical contamination. On the positive side, as I discuss below, much money has been made available to help address these issues.
The Human Mindscape Is Under Siege
By Tony Hagen • editor@newjersey.sierraclub.org
We talk a lot about protecting the environment, and by that I mean trees, air, water, and so on. There’s the inner environment to protect, also.
Transportation Committee: A New Administration Takes Shape in Trenton
By Bill Beren • Transportation Committee Chair, Beren1@verizon.net
After the election, Sherrill reached out to the environmental community (including the Sierra Club) for suggestions on potential policy initiatives regarding energy and the transportation sector.
Have Any Securities You’re Not Using?
By Jim Andreano • Fundraising Committee Chair, Jimandreano@gmail.com
Are you considering making a significant donation to the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club, and do you wish to do so in the most tax-efficient way possible? If so, consider donating appreciated securities. Here’s how it works:
Fight Scrapyard Fires With Stronger Regulation
Guest Editorial by Assemblyman William Moen (D-Camden)
This past June, the General Assembly passed A5533, a bill I sponsored that would establish requirements for the receipt and purchase of scrap metals containing lithium-ion or propulsion batteries. The bill promotes battery separation and assigns clearer responsibility to scrapyards and their clients. I’m proud it passed with bipartisan support. It’s a critical step forward—but there’s more work to do.
Postcard from Patagonia!
By Taylor McFarland • NJ Sierra Club Chapter Conservation Program Manager
Editor’s note: In October, Taylor McFarland, our Chapter’s conservation program manager, traveled to Patagonia with her husband, Andrew Keller.
Our journey began in El Calafate, a charming town nestled on the shores of Lago Argentino. The lake’s waters shone with an incredible turquoise hue. The town strikes a perfect balance between a necessary logistics hub for Patagonian adventures and a genuinely charming, cozy place to unwind.
Thrift, Reuse, and Make a Difference!
By Olivia Xu, Tanush Siva, Sophie Sun, Anushka Durai, and Kiran Adams • Student Action Committee
Members of the Student Action Committee of the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club recently launched a thrift store at Princeton Farmer’s Market at Hinds Plaza to raise funds for the Club’s Political Action Committee (PAC), in support of Mikie Sherill’s successful bid to become governor of New Jersey.
An Ode to Wet Fields
By George Moffatt • Education Chair, Jersey Shore Group
Environmentalists are concerned about pollutants being released into the air, water, and soil where
plastic turf fields are installed. These fears stem from studies that found that plastic turf can emit volatile organic compounds and other chemicals of concern. Artificial turf contains nylon (no, it is not benign), polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polyurethanes, and synthetic rubber, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). That’s just a few.