Category: Public Info

Union County residents who are interested in improving environmental health in their communities are encouraged to join the Rutgers Environmental Stewards of Union County. The Environmental Stewards program helps residents learn to take specific steps leading to effective action. 

“The Environmental Stewards program empowers residents who are passionate about making a difference. It equips residents with an understanding of the issues that impact our area, enabling them to work effectively for environmental progress in their communities,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

The Environmental Stewards of Union County is an all-volunteer program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The Extension also runs the popular Master Gardeners and Master Tree Steward’s programs for adults and 4-H clubs for youth in Union County.

The Environmental Stewards program is designed to help non-scientists learn more about the science behind the environmental issues impacting their communities.

The Environmental Stewards will hold weekly classroom training sessions on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. beginning January 30 through early June. Classes are held at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County office located at 300 North Ave. East in Westfield.

The training sessions include weekly classes on environmental issues including habitat conservation in public parks, pollinator preservation, climate change and its impacts on the Union County region, soil health, protection of the Rahway River watershed, solid waste and recycling issues, and environmentally sound practices for yards and gardens. 

Field trips are a part of an interactive experience. Previous trainees have visited the Union County’s Warinanco Park to learn about invasive plant species and pond restoration, the Hawk Rise sanctuary in Linden to learn about wetland restoration, and to the Pinelands in southern New Jersey to learn about threatened and endangered species.

The training will also include sessions on making environmental policy at the local level, including guidance on reading Master Plans and site plans for new developments.

As part of the Environmental Steward training, participants will spend the summer working on internship projects of their choice. 

In addition to experts from Rutgers University, instructors are drawn from the Association of Environmental Commissions and the nonprofit organization Sustainable New Jersey. Experts from the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Planning and Recycling were also part of the instructional team.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is part of the national Extension system, established more than 100 years ago under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. From its initial aim of assisting rural communities, the Extension has grown to embrace urban and suburban life, youth development and family health. In New Jersey, Rutgers University runs Extension programs in each county through the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and is supported in Union County by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The Freeholder Board provides administrative support and office space in Westfield, land for the Demonstration Garden in the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, and funding for special projects among other support for the Extension.

For more information about the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program, visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu or contact Michele Bakacs, County Agent and Associate Professor for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at bakacs@njaes.rutgers.edu or 732-398-5274.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados joined with local officials and members of the public for the grand opening of the new 2^nd Avenue Value Store in Union Township at 2661 Morris Avenue, on Thursday morning. The Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center helped find qualified applicants to fill many of 200 positions created at the new store. The Freeholder Board and Union County Workforce Development Board created the WIB Center in 2014, in partnership with Union County College, to help new businesses come into Union County and connect with employment-ready job seekers. “We continue to build upon public and private partnerships to create the employment opportunities for Union County residents,” said Granados, who is liaison to the Workforce Development Board. For more information about the WIB center contact Isaias Rivera, Director, at Isaias.rivera@ucc.edu. For information about upcoming job fairs and hiring events, visit the Workforce Development Board online at ucnj.org/wdb/job-fairs-and-opportunities. Photo: Jim Lowney, County of Union.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that grants have been awarded to 20 municipalities in Union County for improvements to recreation resources for children, and to 18 municipalities for new trees to be planted on municipal property. In addition, the Freeholder Board has awarded grants to nine municipalities and non-profit organizations for preserving and improving local historic sites.

The awards were funded through the Union County Open Space, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

“Since first established in 2000, the Open Space Trust Fund has enabled the people of Union County to enjoy continued improvements in public recreation resources, along with aesthetic and environmental improvements related to trees,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is very proud to carry on this mission as the Trust Fund approaches its 20^th year of service.”

The Open Space Trust Fund was established by popular referendum in 2000, with an initial focus on expanding and improving Union County parks.

In 2004 the mission of the Trust Fund was broadened to include Kids Recreation annual matching grants to municipalities for improving local children’s recreation resources, as well as annual Greening Union County “tree for tree” matching grants to plant trees on municipal properties.

The Trust Fund also includes grants from the Preserve Union County program, which provides funding to municipalities and non-profit organizations for historic preservation projects.

The following municipalities received 2019 Kids Recreation Trust Fund grants totaling $999,697.25:

• Berkeley Heights – $43,500
• Clark – $42,000
• Cranford – $46,000
• Elizabeth – $112,000
• Fanwood – $40,000
• Garwood – $16,000
• Hillside – $8,121
• Kenilworth – $48,000
• Linden – $70,000
• Mountainside – $31,000
• New Providence – $40,000
• Plainfield – $74,676.25
• Rahway – $73,000
• Roselle – $46,000
• Roselle Park – $42,000
• Scotch Plains – $63,000
• Springfield – $30,000
• Summit – $62,000
• Union – $60,000
• Westfield – $52,400

The following municipalities received 2019 Greening Union County matching “tree-for-tree” grants totaling $107,072:

• Berkeley Heights – $3,000
• Clark – $3,500
• Cranford – $4,500
• Elizabeth – $13,600
• Fanwood – $1,322
• Garwood – $5,000
• Hillside – $2,100
• Kenilworth – $3,000
• Linden – $9,400
• New Providence – $2,500
• Plainfield – $13,200
• Rahway – $4,500
• Roselle Park – $5,000
• Scotch Plains – $3,750
• Springfield – $5,000
• Summit – $13,000
• Union – $4,700
• Westfield – $5,000

The following historic sites received 2019 Preserve Union County grants totaling $300,315:

• Littel-Lord House in Berkeley Heights – $85,000
• Crane-Phillips House in  Cranford – $2,500
• Fanwood Carriage House in Fanwood – $2,000
• Oswald J. Nitschke House in Kenilworth – $21,000
• Cultural Arts Center in Plainfield – $19,715
• duCret School of Art in Plainfield – $45,000
• Merchant & Drovers Tavern in Rahway – $30,000
• Rotary Frazee House in Scotch Plains – $85,000
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit – $10,100

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds senior residents that the new Guided Nature Walks series is continuing at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, every Wednesday through November 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The series is free and participants age 55 and older are welcome. No pre-registration is required.

The walks are conducted at the Sensory Friendly Trail located on the Trailside campus, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. The trail is on level ground and is accessible by wheelchair and walker as well as on foot.

Each walk highlights a different topic and includes light refreshments.

“These nature walks offer an opportunity for Union County senior citizens enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Watchung Reservation,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “This senior-oriented event is a great addition to Union County’s many programs offered at Trailside.”

The next walk will be held on October 30. Participants will take a stroll through the forest along the Sensory Friendly Trail and learn about the wildlife living in the Watchung Reservation.

The final walk of the season will take place on November 6. Participants will learn about Lenape Native American History and search for plants used by the Lenape people for tools, medicine, food, dyes and cordage.

The Sensory Friendly Trail opened in August 2018. It is a 0.3 mile, ADA-accessible loop with a central gazebo. It is designed to provide sensory stimulation and interaction while meeting the physical, social and cognitive needs of different age groups.

For more information about the new Guided Nature Walks series for seniors and other activities for adults, families and children at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.

The Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is operated by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information about all Parks Department programs and facilities visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation or call 908-527-4900.

Visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection for quick links to all Union County environmental programs and resources, including educational and community service activities.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – Union County residents and visitors are invited to explore the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, fossils, gems and jewelry at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3 from noon to 5:00 p.m. on both days. Admission to the event is free.

The Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show presents an excellent opportunity for visitors of all ages to learn about the world of rocks and gems through the many exhibits and displays,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Whether you’re a geology enthusiast or simply have a casual interest, this event offers something for everyone.”

Geologists young and old can enjoy a wide variety of specimens on display for free and purchase items for sale. Children can purchase geodes, arrowheads and fluorescent minerals, while adults may enjoy the jewelry, fine gems and collector-grade pieces.

Sponsored jointly with the New Jersey Mineralogical Society and the New Jersey Lapidary Society, the Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show will host more than 20 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gemstones, jewelry, sea shells and fossils from around the world.

For more information about the Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show or other programs offered this fall at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Francesca Azzara in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.

A selection of her work entitled “An Artist’s Journey” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until December 27^th. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Francesca Azzara’s work on display at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Ms. Azzara is a talented artist who expresses herself beautifully through the unique medium of encaustic wax painting.”

Francesca Azzara earned a BFA in Studio Art from Kean University, and an Associate of Applied Science in Design from FIT in New York City.

For over 20 years Ms. Azzara has worked with encaustic paints and is often asked to do demonstrations and lecture on this challenging yet forgiving medium. She has taught numerous classes at the Newark Museum, NJ Center for Visual Arts, the Arts Guild of NJ and the Old Church Cultural Center in Demarest. She is also a past recipient of two HEART grants. Today she works out of her studio in Westfield and shows extensively throughout NJ and occasionally in NYC.

Ms. Azzara’s artwork has been on display in local galleries and exhibits throughout New Jersey. Her “Imagined Landscapes & Encaustic Workshops” are available on YouTube. To learn more about Francesca’s artwork, visit francescaazzara.com .

Union County artists interested in exhibiting in the Pearl Street gallery space are welcome to apply. Artists’ works must be able to be hung on a wall.

For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ Relay users can dial 711.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ –Union County residents can improve on their recycling efforts and help conserve natural resources by tuning in to the new “Back to Basics” video series, now available on the free Recycle Coach app for mobile devices.

 “The Back to Basics videos provide clear, reliable instructions on how to tell which items to recycle, along with other recycling tips and information,” said Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is very proud to support this educational campaign, which enables everyone to help make Union County a more sustainable community.”

The new Back to Basics video series is designed to help the public avoid contaminating the recycling stream with the wrong items. By learning how to “recycle right,” residents can potentially save their communities thousands of dollars.

The three videos provide information about recycling rules in an engaging, animated format. Users who watch the videos can also test their knowledge through interactive surveys on the Recycle Coach app.

Union County is the first county in New Jersey to add the video campaign to the Recycle Coach app.

This week, Union County residents who already use Recycle Coach on their mobile devices will begin receiving notifications to access the videos and surveys. The reminders will stop on after the user accesses all three videos.

Residents who would like to download the free Recycle Coach app will begin receiving the reminders after the download is complete. The download is available at online app stores, through the Union County website at ucnj.org/recycling, and through the websites for each of the 21 municipalities in Union County.

The Recycle Coach app provides personalized collection schedules based on the user’s place of residence. Once a resident downloads the app, their Recycle Coach calendar will list their local curbside garbage and recycling schedules. The app will also advise if there are changes in local collection due to holidays or weather.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is the first state agency in the US to purchase the Recycle Coach app and make it available for the use of all residents, free of charge.

For information on all Union County recycling events and programs visit ucnj.org/recycling.

Visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection for quick links to all Union County environmental programs and resources, including educational and community service activities.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Women throughout the region have an opportunity to hear their questions on everything from primary care to breast surgery and heart health, directly from some of the area’s top experts in those fields, at a free Women’s Health Fair on Wednesday, October 23, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The event, which will be held in the Atrium at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue, in Union Township is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder, in partnership with Atlantic Health System’s Overlook Medical Center and Atlantic Medical Group.

The event includes free health screenings and giveaways, and a panel discussion featuring leading female physicians who will discuss a variety of women’s health topics from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.:

• Dr. Caren Chapinksi – Primary Care
• Dr. Rebecca Yang – Breast surgery
• Dr. Nana Tchabo – Gyn onc
• Dr. Kaylah Rondon – OBGYN
• Dr. Marie Audett – Colorectal surgery
• Dr. Jillian Alderson – Neurology
• Dr. Claire Boccia Liang – Cardiology

“This is a good opportunity to hear from the experts, get the facts about women’s health issues, and update two important screenings,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I would like to thank Atlantic Health System and all of the panelists for contributing their knowledge and experience to this event.”

Free glucose and blood pressure screenings are available at the Women’s Health Fair. Attendees can also schedule an appointment for a mammogram. The event is free but pre-registration is suggested at ucnj.org/women. Walk-ins are also welcome.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the final 2019 mobile paper shredding event for personal and confidential documents will be held on November 2^nd in New Providence.

“Union County’s mobile document shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred your confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with other Green Initiatives in Union County.”

The shredding event will take place Saturday, November 2^nd at the Nokia corporate campus, located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The shredding event will take place rain or shine. Shredding events end before 1:00 p.m. if the shredding trucks reach capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. It is preferred that you bring your material in paper bags. 

Residents are reminded that documents should not be bound and plastic binders as well as paperclips should be removed. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Please note that paper that is already shredded will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential documents and paper through their municipal recycling program.  

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then placed onto a conveyor belt and shredding is done on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled via local paper mills. 

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The Freeholder Board also reminds residents to download the free Recycle Coach app for the latest news and information on all countywide and local recycling programs, located at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Union County educators looking for a fun activity for their students can sign up for a special presentation by the volunteer 4-H Master Tree Stewards of Union County.

Now in its 25^th year, the Tree Steward program provides fourth grade classes across the county with an hour-long interactive lesson on tree biology, tree products, tree care, and tree appreciation.

“The Master Tree Stewards program offers Union County students an opportunity to learn about the importance of trees as well as larger environmental issues,” said Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The volunteers do a wonderful job of bringing the lessons to life, and their work is very much appreciated.”

The Master Tree Stewards are available on Wednesdays to visit fourth grade classrooms beginning on January 8, 2020.

The lesson includes tree artifacts and posters, along with “Tree Jeopardy” and other activities. All Tree Steward volunteers are trained and supported by professional staff with the 4-H Youth Development Program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.

Educators can reserve their date online at tinyurl.com/4H-School-Enrichment-Program.

To reserve a date by mail or email, contact Tree Steward coordinator and Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 (ext. 4) or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

The sessions will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Freeholder Board, with offices in the Union County complex in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

For more information on all Union County Extension programs visit ucn.org/rce.

For quick links to all environmental programs and activities in Union County, visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Photo caption: The volunteer 4-H Master Tree Stewards of Union County bring lessons about the importance of trees to local schools, and they also help to educate the public. Shown here, a group of Master Tree Steward volunteers places ID tags on trees along a walking path in Union County’s Echo Lake Park, as part of a countywide project that helps visitors learn more about trees in the local environment. (Photo credit: County of Union, NJ).