Township Of Morris
Environmental Commission
Newsletter
APRIL 2022
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Morris Township Supports Conservation of Drew Forest |
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Located on the campus of Drew University in Madison, NJ, the Drew Forest is a 53-acre parcel of undeveloped land, with some of the oldest trees in Morris County. These rare and exceptionally high-quality woods are at risk of becoming high-density housing.
On March 16, 2022, the Township Committee of the Township of Morris passed a resolution to support working with Drew University to conserve the Drew Forest as an open space preserve.
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Why the Drew Forest is so important
For Morris County, the Drew Forest cleans the air, purifies the water, reduces flooding and soil erosion, provides passive recreation, and offers habitats to myriad creatures.
The Drew Forest is a keystone in an ecosystem pathway that connects to three other local public parks: Giralda Farms Preserve, Loantaka Brook Reservation, and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
A 22-acre section -- known as the Zuck Arboretum and the Hepburn Woods -- has been rehabilitated through the Drew Forest Restoration Project. Invasive species are continuously removed, creating a rare understory of native plants and trees.
Perhaps most importantly, the Drew Forest recharges the Buried Valley Aquifer, which serves clean water to 30 municipalities accounting for over 450,000 people in New Jersey and nearly 200,000 people in Morris County.
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How Morris Township is helping
The Friends of Drew Forest are working towards a conservation sale to permanently protect Drew Forest as open space, while providing Drew University with financial support.
In addition to ongoing communication about this issue across towns among local officials, the Environmental Commission voted to support this initiative in February 2022, and the Township Committee passed a resolution of support to conserve the Drew Forest in March 2022.
Want to get involved? Start by signing the petition and then consider volunteering. You can also visit the Drew Forest anytime. But please close the unlocked gates behind you to protect those restored ecosystems and the future forest from deer. |
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Let's Reduce Single-Use Plastic: Disposable Cutlery |
Billions of plastic forks, spoons, and knives are thrown away each year. And like most plastic, cutlery can take centuries to break down.
Pointy and sharp-edged utensils, mostly made of polystyrene, are among the items most deadly to sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals.
When plastic cutlery was introduced in the 1940s, it was commonly reused after washing. Plastic became disposable as the frugal mentality of the Great Depression and World War II faded. Today, cutlery is the seventh most commonly collected plastic item during beach cleanups.
Here are three suggestions for using fewer plastic utensils:
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Ask for "no plastic" if you're eating at home. The Covid pandemic led to a unprecedented surge in delivery and take-out meals from restaurants. Unfortunately, this meant millions of unnecessary plastic utensils were sent to homes, where they were promptly discarded. Always ask for no plastic utensils when you order, and look for that option on food-delivery apps and websites.
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Use biodegradable or compostable cutlery. Several companies are creating utensils from alternative materials such as wood from fast-growing birch or bamboo, or from excess lumber. A simple online search for "compostable cutlery" will provide many options for your next backyard barbeque.
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Avoid restaurants that offer only plastic utensils. Many fast-food chains and casual restaurants like pizzerias offer only plastic utensils. You can (1) bring your own utensils; (2) suggest environmentally friendly alternatives to management; or (3) avoid eating at these establishments.
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Watch this Fun and Important Video about Pollinators |
In less than one hour, native plant hero Doug Tallamy will change your perspective on the suburban ecosystem.
Dr. Tallamy is all about planting hope—one pollinator patch and one suburban yard at a time.
Watch this YouTube Video to learn why it's critical that we begin planting our suburban landscape with native species that support insects and other wildlife. |
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"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos."
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Tip of The Month: Drop-Off and Pick-Up Composting Services Available in Our Area |
Drop-off and pick-up composting services are designed for people who don't have an outdoor space for composting their biodegradable waste.
This could be someone who lives in an apartment or townhouse, or the owner of single-family home without an appropriate outside location.
It's also great for anyone who just doesn't want to deal with the physical activities of backyard composting, such as aerating a pile by turning it with a garden fork.
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How It Works
- Drop-off composting sites already exist in our area. Paying subscribers get access to toters in central locations.
- Pick-up composting is even more convenient, but also more costly, because the company comes to your property for pick-up once a week.
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How to Find It
While we cannot endorse specific private companies, we can encourage you to explore these alternatives to backyard composting with a simple online search.
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Mosquito Spraying Kills Bees and Other Beneficial Insects |
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Eliminating mosquito breeding areas, such as clogged gutters that hold water, is the safest and most effective way to reduce mosquitoes in your yard.
Mosquito larvae need stagnant water to develop, so try to regularly remove or drain sources of standing water which can pool up in gutters, corrugated PVC drainage pipes, kids’ playsets, or any debris left outside.
For sources of water you can’t drain, use mosquito dunks or other products containing the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis or “Bt,” which targets mosquito larvae and other biting flies but is essentially harmless to other wildlife and people.
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GSWA Native Plant Sale Pickups on April 30
Plastic Bag Ban Starts May 4
Single-use plastic bags are no longer available from grocery stores, retailers, and restaurants throughout the state of New Jersey. Most of your questions about this new state law can be found in this comprehensive Q&A from the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection.
Annual Town-Wide Garage Sale on May 21-22
BioBlitz Morris Nature Festival on June 4, 10am to 4pm
The BioBlitz Morris Nature Festival will be held at Russ Myers Field located in Lewis Morris County Park. Planned activities include birding, wildlife, and invasive species; stream water assessments; and nature shows by Grand Falloons and Rizzo's Reptiles. Snacks and water will be provided. Sponsored by the Whippany River Watershed Action Committee. Please register if interested in attending. |
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Affiliations & Partnerships |
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