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Do you know an Environmental Hero in your Community?

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with the Trailside Museum Association, will once again pair up to honor and recognize some of Union County’s environmental heroes as part of Trailside Nature and Science Center’s annual Wild Earth Fest Event on Sunday, April 29.    You can easily nominate an environmental hero online at www.ucnj.org/trailside and select the 2018 Environmental Hero tab.

“Honoring those in our community who take the initiative and make the effort to care for our environment, gives encouragement to others and models good practices for all of us to follow,” says Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. 

Last year’s environmental heroes represented an impressive array of people of all ages and collaborations whose endeavors are bettering the earth and creating an eco-friendly society.  Included in last year’s winners was Beth Lovejoy who, as chair of the Summit Environmental Commission, spearheaded a host of projects, including an annual Earth Day clean-up.  Additionally Ms. Lovejoy initiated a GreenStar program to recognize local green businesses and worked to achieve Sustainable Jersey’s Silver Certification for the city of Summit.

The Union County Adopt-A-Trail Chainsaw Crew work tirelessly to keep the trails of Union County Parks clear, safe and accessible for the public to enjoy.  In addition to clearing fallen trees, the crew maintained trail blazes, cut back brush and invasive plants, and recently helped in the reseeding of Trailside’s Butterfly Meadow. 

Environmental Hero Maeve Casey established recycling programs in her middle school and for “Relay For Life.”  She also worked on several planting projects to help butterflies and other pollinators.   As Program Coordinator of the Rahway River Watershed Association, Environmental Hero Clea Carchia worked passionately to call attention to water quality and watershed issues.  Additionally, Ms. Carchia was the Water Quality/Habitats Issues Coordinator for the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club and actively participated in the Rahway Environmental Commission. 

Do you know an environmental hero in your community?  Participants may nominate individuals or groups who have taken action for environmental change in their community.  All nominations for the Environmental Hero Award must be received by Friday, April 13, 2018 and should be submitted online at www.ucnj.org/trailside.

Along with certificates of recognition for their work, the Trailside Museum Association board members will once again award prizes to the winners of the Environmental Hero Award at Wild Earth Fest on Sunday, April 29, 2018.   

For additional information on the Environmental Hero Award or other upcoming programs or events, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit online at www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.