County of Union, New Jersey

Don’t miss your chance to nominate remarkable women for the 2024 Union County SHERO Award. In honor of Women’s History Month and the theme of “Union County Women Who Are Making History,” the Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds residents that nominations can be submitted for the 2024 Union County SHERO Award until May 3, 2024.

“This award celebrates the tireless efforts of women in shaping Union County’s history, inspiring positive change for generations to come,” said Union County Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “It’s a powerful reminder of the strides we’ve made and the ongoing journey towards true gender equality. The SHERO Award holds a special place in my heart as it acknowledges the resilience and strength in every woman.”

The Union County SHERO Award aims to spotlight remarkable women in our community who epitomize the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, while actively driving positive transformation within Union County. Individuals eligible for nomination must be at least 18 years old, residing within Union County, and have demonstrated significant contributions towards advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

To nominate a deserving SHERO, submit a photograph of the nominee along with a brief paragraph summarizing their exceptional endeavors in 200 words or less. Comprehensive supporting documentation that highlights specific instances of the nominee’s advocacy and leadership may also be uploaded. The deadline for nominations is May 3rd, with the unveiling of the 2024 Union County SHERO Award winners later in May. The nomination form can be found by visiting https://ucnj.org/shero-award.

For more information about the 2024 Union County SHERO Award, please reach out to Jennifer Erdos at the Union County Office on Women: 908-527-4216 or email jerdos@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents and visitors of all ages to celebrate wildlife and learn about environmental conservation at Wild Earth Fest, hosted by the Trailside Nature and Science Center on Sunday, April 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., rain or shine. Trailside is located in Union County’s scenic 2,000-plus acre Watchung Reservation, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

“This unique event combines fun activities for all ages with opportunities to learn about conservation and the environment,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Wild Earth Fest raises awareness about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship here in the Union County community and throughout the state.”

Admission to Wild Earth Fest is $5.00 per person seven years and older. Children six years old and younger are free. No pre-registration is required. Pets are not permitted.

Wild Earth Fest 2024, features special presentations with music, magic and live animals. There will be many ongoing activities for children, crafts, music, food and educational table displays throughout the event. 

Highlights include a sea creature touch tank from Jenkinson’s Aquarium, a petting zoo from Swift Farms, live music by the group Acoustic NRG, Trash to Treasure Recycled Art, Trailside’s outreach van with a touch table and giveaways, and an obstacle course from Child’s Play Challenge Courses with “course crusher” challenges for all ages.  Sustainable, green-themed art and gifts will also be available for purchase.

New this year, Wild Earth Fest welcomes the NJ Fish and Wildlife Mobile Education Trailer. The Mobile Education Trailer (MET) is an exhibit on wheels.  The trailer is an inclusive experience that includes interactive exhibits, educational videos and informative displays. The exhibits focus on wildlife work and success within the agency and takes a close look at the important partnerships that aid wildlife conservation in the state. 

On site this year, will be an electric vehicle display from the nonprofit organization, New Jersey Electrical Vehicle Association. Members of the group will share their EV experiences and answer any questions. 

In celebration of Arbor Day, take part in Trailside’s Wild Earth Fest Community Art Project throughout the day. Visitors can create a leaf to hang on Trailside’s EnvironmenTREE.  Help us upcycle over 300 plastic bottles to create a new and colorful piece of recycled art.  

Wild Earth Fest includes an exciting schedule of special presentations:

Eyes of the Wild (11:30 a.m.): Learn about some of the most interesting animals from all over the world and meet live reptiles, mammals, birds and insects up close.

Kids in Motion (12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.): Join DJ Jo Jo Russell for interactive fun with his music and dance moves.

Science of Magic (1:30 p.m.): Join Science Magician Mr. Fish for “a fun and engaging magic show.

Skyhunters in Flight (12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.): Meet live birds of prey, learn about the sport of falconry, and see an aw-inspiring flight display courtesy of Falconer Brian Bradley and his amazing birds.

Trashaganza (2:00 p.m.): Enjoy a performance by the Bash the Trash Band with musical instruments made from recycled materials. Try your hand at making instruments, and join the Trashaganza Musical Parade through Wild Earth Fest. Trashaganza is sponsored by Union County Clean Communities to raise awareness about the importance of Reuse, Reduce & Recycle.

Other activities include; a rock wall climb, a giant inflatable slide, and an Earth Day Play area with skee-ball, hoops, volleyball and other games made from ordinary recyclable items and prizes.  Attendees are also welcome to plant a take-home flower and make a colorful Gyotaku fish print.

Vendors and exhibitors include; Woodland Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association, Toadshade Wildflower Farm, Friends of the Great Swamp, Native Plant Society of NJ, Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, Wild Birds Unlimited, NY/NJ Trail Conference, Hartshorn Arboretum, Labo Refillery, Oats & Soaks, Lee’s Bees, Planet B, Union County Master Gardeners, 4-H Master Tree Stewards, the NJ Mycological Society and more.

For more information about Wild Earth Fest and other upcoming programs and events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.

The Trailside Nature and Science Center is a service of the Union County Board of County Commissioners in the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more recreation programs and activities visit ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900. For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities supported by the Commissioner Board, visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

In honor of Arbor Day, the Union County Board of County Commissioners, in collaboration with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board, unveils the distinguished winners of the annual Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. Each year, the contest aims to inspire students in grades 4-8 to embrace environmental stewardship and advocate for tree conservation.

“Recognizing our students’ dedication to the environment through poetry showcases their thoughtful connection to nature,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Congratulations to all students for their efforts, and a special congratulations to the winners for their outstanding achievement. Your words encourage us all to protect our precious environment.”

A special awards ceremony, honoring the first, second, and third place winners across different grade levels, will be held during Wednesday, April 24^th at 6:00 p.m., where the winners will be recognized by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

4th Grade

1st place – Nature’s Heroes – by: Arjun Verma, Jefferson Elementary School, Westfield

2nd place – The Tree – by: Ty Rios, Jefferson Elementary School, Westfield

3rd place – The Beautiful Giants – by: Luke Vinokur, Mountain Park School, Berkeley Heights

5th Grade

1st Place – The Tree Tale – by: Giovanna Flecca, Nettingham Middle School, Scotch Plains

2nd Place – What Will I Do? – by: Harper Feldman, Mountain Park School, Berkeley Heights

3rd Place – Overlooked Heroes – by: Nora Lee, Mountain Park School, Berkeley Heights

6th Grade  

1st Place:  Arbor Day – by: Sanai Johnson, Grover Cleveland School, Rahway 

2nd Place: Arbor Day – by: Noah Harvey, Grover Cleveland School, Rahway

3rd Place: Trees – by: Sloane Potocek, Terrill Middle School, Scotch Plains   

7th Grade 

 1st place –The Seasons of the Trees – by: Olivia Shamrakov, Terrill Middle School, Scotch Plains

2nd place – Towers of Nature by: Aidan Katz, Terrill Middle School, Scotch Plains

3rd place – Dance like a Tree by: Kelly Huang, Columbia Middle School, Berkeley Heights

8th Grade

1st place – Sturdy and Tall – by: Nyla Lopez, Mabel G. Holmes School #5 Elizabeth

2nd place- Tree Spirit – by: Mohamadi Saniwidi, Mabel G. Holmes School #5 Elizabeth

3rd place- The Red Maple Tree – by: Jesica Laskowski, Mabel G. Holmes School #5 Elizabeth

“The Arbor Day Poetry Contest encourages students to explore the importance of trees in our ecosystem through poetry,” said Commissioner James Baker, the Commissioner Board Liaison to the Shade Tree Advisory Board. “By nurturing their creativity and environmental awareness, we equip them with the knowledge needed to become protectors of the environment.”

Arbor Day, observed every last Friday in April, has its origins in 1872 when it began in Nebraska, urging people to plant trees and raise environmental awareness. Over time, it has grown into a nationwide event promoting the appreciation of trees and their ecological importance. This year, Arbor Day falls on April 26th, highlighting the crucial role of environmental stewardship in safeguarding our natural resources.

For further inquiries regarding the Arbor Day Poetry Contest, please contact Andrea Staten at Andrea.Staten@ucnj.org or 908-789-3659. To learn more more about Union County’s commitment to environmental initiatives, visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.

In anticipation of the 2024 Film Ready New Jersey Workshop, the Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to encourage elected officials in Union County, as well as county and municipal employees, to attend the NJ Film Ready Workshop on Tuesday, April 23^rd, at the Morris Museum in Morristown from 9:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. to learn more and discover the economic benefits of embracing film, TV, and movie productions in their communities.

“Union County had the honor of hosting last year’s Film Ready NJ Workshop. Since then, we have witnessed firsthand the effectiveness of this workshop in preparing and training our community to attract and accommodate film and television production companies,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “As of this year, Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Plainfield, and Rahway have been designated as Film Ready Communities by the NJEDA, and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this initiative. We encourage other towns throughout Union County to become certified.”

The Film Ready New Jersey Program, an initiative of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), is a five-step certification and marketing program designed to educate and prepare municipalities on the basics of motion picture and television production. During the workshop, participants will receive guidance and training from industry professionals and NJMPTVC staff on how to market and structure themselves properly to become desirable hosts for film and TV production crews.

Since Governor Murphy expanded the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program in 2023, New Jersey has seen a significant increase in entertainment production revenues, with earnings soaring from $67 million in 2017 to over $650 million in 2022. Major industry players like Netflix and Lionsgate plan to establish cutting-edge facilities in neighboring Monmouth and Essex counties, indicating a promising future for the industry’s growth statewide.

Several major productions have already been successfully filmed in Union County, including “The Walking Dead,” “Wu-Tang: An American Saga,” and “It Ends With Us,” among many others. Cities and counties designated as “film-ready” experience greater economic growth, increased tourism, and more job opportunities.

The Film Ready certification program has made a significant impact in Union County, with numerous films, TV shows, and other productions filmed in the last few months alone. Plainfield, the first city in the county to receive the certification, has experienced notable economic benefits from hosting film crews and supporting local businesses. The success of Plainfield has continued to inspire neighboring municipalities to pursue certification.

Union County is on the brink of a cinematic renaissance, leveraging the Film Ready NJ Program to promote the county and establish partnerships with producers. It is rapidly emerging as a premier destination for filming and production on the East Coast.

To register for the Film Ready NJ Workshop: www.events.morriscountyalliance.org/FilmReadyNJWorkshop. For more information on the Film Ready New Jersey Program, please visit www.nj.gov/njfilm/filmready-nj.

For information on Union County’s Motion Picture & Television Advisory Board, visit www.ucnj.org/ucfilmtv.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the UC STEP Civic Engagement Project for this year will be a “Stepping Up to Mental Health Summit.” Unlike previous years, Union County has decided to combine all three projects into one powerhouse initiative. The summit is scheduled to take place on May 18^th at Oak Ridge Park, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Further event details to follow.

“We are so proud of the dedication and creativity demonstrated by our high school students. The collaborative project they worked on this year is a great example of the power of teamwork in improving mental health and well-being,” said Commissioner Chairwoman and Liaison to the Mental Health Advisory Board, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “The students’ ideas were innovative and thoughtful, and have the potential to benefit so many people in our community. Witnessing such inspiring teamwork among our young people is remarkable, and we are excited to see the positive impact this project will have on our community.”

Thanks to the extraordinary responses from our community, ideas presented by teams Light Green, Gold and Maroon will be featured as key components of the final community engagement project- the first ever Union County Stepping Up to Mental Health Summit.

Team Light Green’s idea of hosting a mental health summit will be the main feature of our culminating event. Other activities, including team Maroon’s Embrace(let)s project that focuses on embracing feelings whether they are good or bad will be included at the summit. Participants will make bracelets to spread mental health awareness to emphasize that “it’s okay to not be okay.” To honor Team Gold’s project, Union County will create an online resource portal connecting our youth to mental health resources. By making resources readily available online, we can empower individuals to take proactive steps towards managing their mental health.

Each of the three projects presented at UC STEP address different aspects of mental health and in raising awareness. By pursuing all three initiatives simultaneously, our hope is to create a more holistic strategy that addresses the diverse needs of individuals struggling with mental health challenges.

Students will still have a chance to win the $1,000 START NOW Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

For more information, please contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator at (908) 527-4388 or via email at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org

For more information about UC-STEP, please visit ucnj.org/uc-step/

Today, the Union County Board of County Commissioners announced the beginning of the Briant Pond restoration project in Summit. This significant initiative is in response to concerns voiced by Summit residents regarding the environmental condition and recreational potential of the pond. Scheduled to kick off on or around April 17, 2024, the project is expected to unfold over the course of several weeks.

“We share the concerns of Briant Park users, which is why the County of Union has been collaborating with the NJDEP to secure necessary permits. This investment in restoration emphasizes our commitment to attentively addressing issues and enacting meaningful change,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “By undertaking this project, we are not only preserving natural habitats but also enriching recreational opportunities for our community. This endeavor highlights our commitment to environmental stewardship and genuine community engagement.”

In a competitive bidding process, T. R. Weniger, a contractor with experience in similar endeavors, was selected to lead the hydro-raking project. Providing oversight and management of the operation is Colliers Engineering, a firm known for its expertise in Engineering & Project Management.

The hydro-raking process represents a critical step towards revitalizing Briant Pond, aimed at improving its ecological health and recreational value. Summit residents can look forward to positive transformations resulting from this comprehensive restoration effort.

Central to the project is the utilization of specialized equipment, including an eight-ton excavator mounted on pontoons, equipped with a front rake. Operations are scheduled on weekdays, Monday through Friday, ensuring minimal disruption to park users while maximizing efficiency. The proven track record of T. R. Weniger in executing similar projects across New Jersey instills confidence that Summit residents will witness tangible improvements.

To keep the community informed and engaged, a general overview of the project timeline and potential impact on park activities has been provided. The hydro-raking operation promises to be a visually captivating endeavor that underscores Union County’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.

Summit residents and members of the broader community are encouraged to stay updated on the progress of the Briant Pond restoration project by visiting www.ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the launch of the Community Outreach Program, an initiative aimed at strengthening community engagement and providing vital resources to residents. This program marks a significant step forward in enhancing communication and support within our diverse communities.

“The Union County Community Outreach Program will see dedicated teams actively engaging with residents throughout the county, delivering valuable information and resources directly to their doorsteps,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Our outreach teams are committed to ensuring that every resident receives the necessary support and information by directly connecting them to county resources and essential services.”

The outreach teams will be visible in the community, wearing distinctive safety vests and carrying identification for easy recognition. Residents can expect to encounter these teams from Monday through Thursday, between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, as well as on Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Through these regular hours and visible presence, the program seeks to maximize accessibility and ensure that residents can easily engage with the outreach teams.

Union County residents are encouraged to engage with the outreach teams, ask questions, and provide feedback to help shape future initiatives and services. The County of Union remains dedicated to building stronger, more resilient communities, and the Community Outreach Program is a testament to that commitment.

For more information about the Union County Community Outreach Program, please contact our Department of Human Services Action line at 908-677-5405 or visit our website at www.ucnj.org/outreach.