Practicing environmental sustainability is easier than most people think.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, sustainability cPracticing environmental sustainability is easier than most people think.reates and maintains conditions for both humans and nature to coexist.
“Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have the water, materials and resources to protect human health and our environment,” the EPA’s website says.
For Voorhees residents, there are plenty of ways to help the environment, save energy and reduce waste, Sustainable Voorhees’ Co-Chair Judson Goldsborough said.
Goldsborough said residents should recycle paper and plastic materials properly and try to purchase items that are made from recycled materials.
He said residents should also try to purchase more locally grown fruits, vegetables and farm products, which would help re duce the carbon footprint.
“They are not shipping it from far away to get to you,” Goldsborough said.
The Jersey Fresh campaign, initiated by the state Department of Agriculture, was created to help promote buying and selling locally grown fruits and vegetables.
The Voorhees Town Center also offers a seasonal farmer’s market from May to October.
Goldsborough also said when landscaping, residents should use plants and shrubbery that are native to the area.
Planting native plants would help reduce the amount of water and fertilizer needed for the plant, he said.
According to The Native Plant Society of New Jersey, there are more than 1,000 plants that are native to the Camden County area. Trees some may recognize that are native to the area are the red maple, American holly and gray birches.
Goldsborough said rain barrels are another way to be environmentally friendly outdoors, but they need to be properly installed to avoid stagnant water.
According to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden County Rain Garden’s website, rain barrels are 50-gallon containers placed under a gutter’s downspout. The water from the barrel can be used for watering gardens, to replenish ground water, and to reduce flooding and local stream pollution.
Homeowners could also cut back on air pollution and energy by closing the shades in their home during the summer to prevent direct sunlight from heating the home, he said.
“They are using less electricity,” he said, adding residents can also purchase an aerator for water faucets to help maintain a slow water flow, using less water.
He said aerators could be purchased at hardware stores.
Sustainable Voorhees’ mission
As a part of Sustainable Voorhees, Goldsborough said the organization is currently working through certifying the township under Sustainable Jersey — a certification program for municipalities that want to go green and save money.
Goldsborough said once the township is certified, there will be grant money available for green initiatives and improvements.
Debby Schwartz has been a member of the Voorhees Environmental Commission for approximately 20 years.
She said the commission started by purchasing open space. In 2011, the township formed a “green team” to help Sustainable Voorhees reach Sustainable Jersey certification.
According to Sustainable Voorhees’ website, after realizing the certification process would require the help of the township, Sustainable Voorhees became an official subcommittee of the Voorhees Environmental Commission.
Schwartz said the goal of the organization is to not only help the township reach Bronze Certification, but to improve the environment, businesses and quality of life in Voorhees.
To reach the Bronze Certification level, the township must have a green team, receive 150 points, complete two out of 17 priority actions and meet six out of 16 categories.
Priority actions, categories and points are set by Sustainable Jersey standards.
Schwartz said public outreach, education and community involvement will help Voorhees become more sustainable.
On Monday, March 11, the township passed a resolution adopting a green grounds and maintenance policy, supporting the New Jersey Wildlife plan and pledged to support the participation in Sustainable Jersey.
A wildlife interaction plan is worth 10 points toward Bronze Certification, while the green ground and maintenance policy is worth five points, according to Sustainable Jersey’s website.
Schwartz said the township committee plays a big role in helping the township gain certification through Sustainable Jersey.
She said she hopes Sustainable Voorhees will submit for Bronze Certification by June.
“It’s a pleasure to work with this township committee. They are so forward-thinking, moving toward sustainability and creating a more healthy community and environment,” she said.
“One thing we look forward to is the partnerships that can be created across the town, so we can all work together to improve our community from an environmental and social perspective.”
