Local News - Sustainable Mullica is local green team
By MICHELLE LEE, Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 | 0 comments
Mullica Twp- It's not easy being green. It takes time and dedication, and Sustainable Mullica hopes to achieve that in the township.
The environment-friendly group was founded in March as a "green team" that will work with the Township Committee, the Environmental Commission and other residents to make a difference, said President Susan Polk, who is also a....Continue Reading
township committee member.
The group is modeled after Sustainable New Jersey, a certification program municipalities can join to make environmental and healthy quality-of-life changes.
So far, Sustainable Mullica has about 30 members, and they have organized monthly information sessions on a variety of topics, such as recycling and composting and creating sustainable designs.
The group held a large Community Green Day earlier this month, which featured a variety of vendors selling eco-friendly crafts and reuse collections for crayons, sneakers and books. Sustainable Mullica also got township officials to approve a sustainable land use pledge, in which the township plans to support more environmental and smart-growth planning methods, such as protecting natural resources and promoting mix land-use. The township's natural resource inventory is being updated by Jon Malkin, a Sustainable Mullica member and chairman of the township's Environmental Commission and Planning Board.
Other future projects include new waste management at the Mullica school district, which will try to get students to reduce the amount of trash thrown out at the cafeteria, and an anti-idling program for vehicles that pick up and drop off students in the school's parking lot. Polk and her husband, Al, are creating a rain garden at their home over the summer, and it will be used for education programs.
"I think it's off to a good start and a lot of good work is happening with it," Polk said of the group.
A handful of residents came out to Mullica Township Hall on June 28 for a joint Sustainable Mullica and Environmental Commission meeting. The guest speaker was Patrick Hossay, an associate professor at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and a teacher of sustainability and environmental policy. He explained that climate change is accelerating and "sound policies and practices," such as planned community growth and more public transportation, are needed to get people to care about the environment and "make the green choice."
Francis Paulsgraf, a 71-year-old limousine driver, was impressed by the discussion and by Sustainable Mullica. "They're thinking of the future. They're trying to save the earth and do something, leave a legacy for our grandchildren," he said.
Malkin, of the Environmental Commission, said the new organization is a great fit for the township because it helps the commission "work hand in hand" on reducing the township's environmental footprint. The Environmental Commission evaluated projects and does environmental inventories while Sustainable Mullica looks to reduce waste and other programs to improve the township.
"What I like about it is people are finally thinking about the earth ... Now people are looking around and thinking it makes more sense economically to be green," Malkin said.
"I'm quite pleased it's come to Mullica."
Contact Michelle Lee: 609-272-7256 MLee@pressofac.com
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