Union County, NJ – On Saturday morning June 6, Union County residents and visitors can enjoy a “Reservation Ramble” through the Watchung Reservation with an expert naturalist, and then stay to help spruce up a section of trail. It’s all in celebration of National Trails Day. Pictured here are volunteers celebrating National Trails Day in Union County last year. To sign up in advance today, call 908-789-3683 or email bkelly@ucnj.org. Drop-in participants are welcome, just meet up at the Deserted Village at 8:45 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday June 6 (use the parking lot off Cataract Hollow Road and walk down to the general store).
Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen joined Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak and County Manager Alfred Faella in honoring several individuals for the Boy Scout Lifetime Achievement Award including Union County employees Daniel J. Bernier, Merritt M. Duffy, Bruce D. Linger, Jonathan Phillips and Karen E. Positan. Photos by John Roman/County of Union.
Union County, NJ – Extreme weather events like Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy have brought renewed calls to resolve chronic flooding issues in the Rahway River Basin, particularly in Cranford and Rahway as well as Springfield and Union. Members of the public are urged to lend their voices to this effort by attending an information meeting conducted by state and federal officials, hosted by the Union County Freeholder Board and the Mayors’ Council on Rahway River Watershed Flood Control.
The meeting will take place in the Roy E. Smith Theatre at Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford on Monday, June 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
“The science shows that extreme storms are becoming more frequent and intense, and our experience here in Union County confirms it,” said Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The time is now to take meaningful action that protects our neighborhoods while enabling Union County to keep growing.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection have been working to develop solutions for flooding in Union and Essex counties with a particular focus centered on Cranford and Rahway, in the form of the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study.
At the June 15 meeting, representatives from both agencies will present their findings and discuss their progress toward preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed solutions. Representatives from the Mayors’ Council on Rahway River Watershed Flood Control will also attend.
The meeting is designed to enable members of the public to comment on flooding issues and the impacts of proposed solutions, to be included in the final Environmental Impact Statement.
At the meeting, information will also be solicited on natural resources in the Rahway River Basin, including wildlife, plant life and wetland habitats.
“I want to emphasize that during this preliminary phase, several different options are being explored,” said Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “Especially if you live in flood areas, please come to the meeting and get your ideas and concerns on record.”
The meeting agenda will be:
7:00 – 7:30, Informational Poster Board Session and Information Exchange.
7:30 – 8:00, Formal Informational Presentation
8:00 – 9:00, Informational Poster Board Session and Information Exchange
Details on the alternatives are available on the Army Corps of Engineers website, usace.mil.
For more information on the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study, contact Ms. Rifat Salim, Project Manager, Rifat.Salim@usace.army.mil or 917-790-8215.
Come to the 11th annual Bio-Blitz in the Watchung Reservation, June 12-13, and meet your friendly neighborhood turtle…and hundreds of other denizens that crawl, walk, fly, swim and grow in Union County parks. For more information visit ucnj.org/bio-blitz Photo credit: Debbie Partesi.
Union County, NJ – The public will have a unique chance to experience the hidden side of Union County parks as the 11th annual Bio-Blitz unfolds from 5:00 p.m. on Friday June 12 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday June 13, in the Watchung Reservation. Bio-Blitz is a 24-hour, ‘round the clock nature survey that tallies up hundreds of plant and animal species each year, most of which are hidden away from the public eye.
“This year we are introducing some new activities to make Bio-Blitz more exciting – and informative – than ever before,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “If you are curious about the many different plants, animals and insects that populate our parks, come to Bio-Blitz and get acquainted with some neighbors you may have never seen before.”
While the survey teams are at work, visitors can observe them in action and participate in unique nature activities, including four Bio-Blitz “firsts:”
Catch a demonstration of the exiting outdoor treasure-hunting game of geocaching, conducted by the Northern NJ Cachers
Join a meditative labyrinth walk and get a free introduction to the gentle art of yoga (and receive a free gift, too), from SKY Yoga of Fanwood.
Enjoy a free instructional session on nature photography by professional nature photographer David DesRochers.
Enter for a chance to win a guided tour of the Pine Barrens, conducted by noted ecologist Emile DeVito of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (visit the Rahway Watershed Association exhibit for details).
Many longtime Bio-Blitz favorite activities are also returning this year. During the day, drop in on a live hawk and owl exhibit, forage for edibles, tour the Deserted Village of Feltville and observe survey teams in the field, among other activities.
As the sun goes down, join a guided “sitting circle” to watch for wildlife and listen to nature’s twilight concert. Stay after dark for the famous “Owl Prowl,” night-time insect trapping, and a star watching session.
The staging area for all the Bio-Blitz action is “Bio-Blitz Central,” located near the Trailside Nature & Science Center at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.
Bio-Blitz Central features exhibits, displays, prizes, giveaways and free nonstop fun for all ages including “Bio-Blitz Bingo,” hands on activities at the Junior Naturalist Tent, and native plants for sale from the Toadshade Wildflower Farm, which will also give away one free plant to a lucky prizewinner.
At Bio-Blitz Central visitors can also watch – and sometimes assist – scientists as they examine and catalogue their findings.
Free parking is available on site and at the nearby Loop field and playground area.
Individuals, families, and groups such as Scouts can sign up for scheduled activities when they arrive at Bio-Blitz Central (no other pre-registration is required).
In addition to the donated prizes and activities listed above, Bio-Blitz is generously supported by Shoprite of Clark, Starbucks of Westfield, Whole Foods of Union, Jenkinson’s Aquarium of Point Pleasant, Staten Island Zoo, Rahway River Watershed Association, Wild Birds Unlimited of Scotch Plains, BR Environmental, and XAdmins.
For more information about Bio-Blitz and a complete schedule of activities visit ucnj.org/bio-blitz.
Professional scientists and other knowledgeable experts who are interested in joining a survey team can join online at ucnj.org/bio-blitz until June 6, or in person after June 6.
Union County, NJ – The votes are in and the winner is…the Union County 4-H Dog Club. Pictured here is Union County 4-H’er Lauren Lang of Berkeley Heights with “Snickers,” displaying ribbons from the statewide 4-H Dog Show in New Brunswick earlier this spring. The ribbons are for the team winning 1st Place in Dog Obedience and the Rally Competition, and 4th place in Junior Showmanship. Congratulations to Lauren, Snickers, and the entire 4-H Dog Club! Union County 4-H is a youth development program run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, sponsored in part by the Freeholder Board. For information on the Dog Club and other popular clubs including Archery, Lego, and Cooking contact 4-H Agent Jim Nichnadowicz, 908-654-9854 or Nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu, or visit ucnj.org/rce.
Please be advised, U.C. Mosquito Control will be spraying for Adult Mosquitoes tonight, June 04, 2015 between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting).Please check below to see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our office at 908-654-9834/9835.
Berkeley Heights. – Kuntz St. Area
Clark – Conger Way, Schwin Dr., Roberts Rd., Lance Dr., Rutgers Rd., Kincaid Pl.
Elizabeth – Clarkson Ave and the Dike, Niles St., Spencer St., Palmer St.
Fanwood – Fanwood Pl. (Fanwood DPW)
Hillside – Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., Revere Dr., Nottingham Way, Exeter Way, Gate Way, Surrey La., Haviland Dr., Masters Square, Windsor Way, Bradford Rd., Westminster Ave., Wilder St., Salem Rd. between Conant Ave. and North Ave.
Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Epping Dr., Water Co. Rd.
Linden – Tremley Pt., Bradford Ave., Lexington Ave., Marion Ave.
Rahway – Leesville Ave. Area, Church St., Central Ave., Donald Ave., Price St., Allen St., Jones Pl., Elizabeth Ave., Kearney Ave., Lincoln Ave., Whittier St., Scott Ave.
Scotch Plains – South Ave. between Hetfield Ave. and Crossway Pl.Tussel La.
Springfield – Layng Ter., Kemp Dr., New Brook La., Benjamin Dr., Diven St., Stiles St., Meckes St., Ruby St., Marian Ave., Warner Ave. Area.
Summit – Kent Pl. Blvd., Mt. Vernon Ave., New Providence Ave.
Union – Rahway Ave. Area, Brighton St., Gifford Ct. Dewey St., Hobson St.
Winfield Park – Union County Parkway
Town Parks – Memorial Field – Linden
County Parks – Joe Black Field, Oak Ridge, Rahway, Snyder Ave. Ball Field, Warinanco, Watchung Reservation, loop Area and Museum Area.
Please travel with caution as flash flooding may occur on roads. Never drive your vehicle in areas where the water totally covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. Rainfall rates as high as 2 to 3 inches per hour are possible, which would cause flash flooding in urban and poor drainage areas.
Stay up-to-date on storm related information by visiting www.ucnj.org and by following the County’s social media – www.ucnj.org/connected
Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh (C) and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella (R) and Linda Carter welcome the crowd to Union County’s Rhythm and Blues by the Brook free outdoor concert at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. Rhythm and Blues by the Brook was headlined by the high energy funk of The Family Stone and the iconic R&B super group of the ’70s, War.
The County of Union will be hosting our last Mold Remediation Workshop this Saturday June 6th at the Cranford Recreation Center from 10am to noon. So far we have educated over 200 residents about the mold cleanup process including how to recognize it and how to properly use the personal protective equipment included in the free mold remediation kits.
This workshop is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. To register for this free workshop, please call 908-518-5630 or e-mail anavas@ucnj.org
Contestants, ranging from grades 4 through 8, had to prepare an original work in an effort to promote Arbor Day and creatively show the importance of trees in Union County. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen congratulates the 4th grade winners of the 2015 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. (From left) Kayla Hamlin from the Union County T.E.A.M.S. Charter School in Plainfield won first place. Jessica Dianda from the McKinley Elementary School in Summit came in second place. Alexandra Grushkin from the Kent Place School in Summit placed third.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen congratulates the 5th grade winners of the 2015 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. Maggie Sher (C) from the Kent Place School in Summit won first place. Georgia Rabin from the Kent Place School in Summit placed third.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen congratulates the 6th grade winners of the 2015 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. (From left) Jodi De Jesus from the Oak Knoll School in Summit won first place. Alessandra Serio from the Park Middle School in Scotch Plains came in second place. Trevor Pease from the Park Middle School in Scotch Plains placed third.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen congratulates the 7th grade winners of the 2015 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. Dovid Rozehzadeh from The Jewish Education Center in Elizabeth won first place. Rivka Shapiro from the Bruriah Junior High School in Elizabeth came in second place.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen congratulates the 8th grade winners of the 2015 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. Adina Pinsker (C) from the Bruriah Junior High School in Elizabeth won first place. Hannah Makasare from the Saint James the Apostle School in Springfield came in second place.
Union County, NJ – On Saturday morning June 6, Union County residents and visitors can enjoy a “Reservation Ramble” through the Watchung Reservation with an expert naturalist, and then stay to help spruce up a section of trail. It’s all in celebration of National Trails Day. Pictured here are volunteers celebrating National Trails Day in Union County last year. To sign up in advance today, call 908-789-3683 or email bkelly@ucnj.org. Drop-in participants are welcome, just meet up at the Deserted Village at 8:45 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday June 6 (use the parking lot off Cataract Hollow Road and walk down to the general store). 
