HOWELL — The Howell Green Team has been awarded a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey grant funded the PSEG Foundation.
Seven $20,000 grants, 13 $10,000 grants and 15 $2,000 grants were distributed to recipients across 15 New Jersey counties, according to a press release from Sustainable Jersey.
The grant awards will fund a range of projects including a mobile farmers market; a climate adaptation plan; rain gardens; environmental resource inventories; complete streets improvements; storm water and flooding mitigation projects; outdoor classrooms; pollinator gardens and more, according to the press release.
“On behalf of Howell, the Howell Township Green Team would like to thank Sustainable Jersey and the PSEG Foundation for this $2,000 grant. This grant will allow the Green Team in cooperation with Howell Environmental Commission to install a pollinator garden at the Howell Community Wildlife Habitat area located at a site currently being revitalized. We are proud to partner with Sustainable Jersey on environmentally beneficial projects to engage and educate our community,” said Lisa Doud of the Howell Green Team.
“As we work to achieve a sustainable New Jersey, our organization understands how important it is to help municipalities and schools build on the progress they are making at the local level,” said Randall Solomon, executive director for Sustainable Jersey.
“The Sustainable Jersey grants, funded by the PSEG Foundation, build capacity and help
our communities take meaningful steps to face issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity divide and environmental pollution. Congratulations to the municipalities, schools and districts that received grant funding,” Solomon said.
The PSEG Foundation has contributed $2.8 million in funding to the Sustainable Jersey grants program for municipalities and schools, according to the press release.
“The PSEG Foundation is committed to helping build sustainable and thriving communities by empowering and investing in the people, environment and infrastructure of the communities we serve,” said Calvin Ledford, PSEG director of Corporate Social Responsibility and president of the PSEG Foundation.
“Supporting Sustainable Jersey and local municipalities, schools and school districts as they build sustainability programs puts resources where they are needed to positively impact the environment and local communities, having a lasting impact on neighborhoods throughout New Jersey,” Ledford said.
The Howell Green Team will partner with the township on ways to improve municipal operations with “green” initiatives that make practical, environmental and financial sense, according to the press release.
The Green Team is currently pursuing Sustainable Jersey certification for Howell.
Sustainable Jersey is a program for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, save money and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. Sustainable Jersey towns and cities implement practices that lead to cost savings in energy, water and garbage bills, according to the press release.
The program helps communities improve efficiency, cut waste and stimulate their local economy. By becoming a Sustainable Jersey certified township, the municipality becomes aligned with the community’s values while saving and preserving resources, according to the press release.