This December, give the gift of a healthy planet.

A donation to ANJEC helps protect the Earth by helping NJ towns fight global warming and operate in a more sustainable way.

Just click on http://www.anjec.org/html/memberindivform.htm

to visit ANJEC’s website where you can make a secure donation using MasterCard or VISA (or print a form to mail in). It only takes a minute to make a difference.   

Help ANJEC continue its vital mission.

ANJEC is working hard to help communities mitigate or adapt to the effects of climate change. Over the past six months we’ve added an extensive new section to our web site on creating sustainable communities, and we’ve hosted two major events that brought together environmental leaders, elected officials, environmentalists and journalists to talk about the issues and address them locally. And that’s not all. Click here to learn more about ANJEC’s other 2007 highlights.  

Shrink your carbon footprint this holiday season – give ANJEC Green Certificates.

To have an even greater impact, why not cut down on shopping, wrapping and shipping holiday gifts this year by making a donation to ANJEC on behalf of people on your shopping list—then send them an ANJEC Green Certificate to let them know you care enough to protect the planet they live on. Just indicate your green giving preferences on the electronic donation form and, within one week, we will send you an acknowledgement and the ANJEC Green certificates you request.    

Your gift to ANJEC can make a real difference by helping us to accelerate our efforts to fight global warming. Take action today by sending in a donation. Then enjoy the holidays, knowing that you’ve contributed to a greener, healthier, and more sustainable New Year. 

Sincerely,

Sandy Batty
Executive Director

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18th Annual New Directions in the American Landscape Symposium

“Native Landscape Design for the Real World”

Offered in two locations:
January 10 and 11 at Connecticut College, New London, CT
January 16 and 17, 2008 at Villanova University, Villanova, PA
           
For native design to truly succeed in the real world of invasive plants and disturbed sites, simply using native plants is not enough. Understanding the natural processes that direct vegetation change and developing a diverse toolbox of practical techniques based on this understanding is crucial.  This conference will illustrate these connections to help designers anticipate and respond to the real-world challenges of creating natural landscapes.
Featured speakers include:

• Marcha Johnson, a registered landscape architect with New York City Parks and Recreation, who will discuss the natural processes of succession
• Stephen Kress, vice president for bird conservation for the National Audubon Society who will discuss how understanding the co-evolution of native plants and birds can inform discussion on attracting specific species
• Roger Latham, a consultant who conducts applied research and planning for land trusts and government agencies, who will examine the composition of eastern meadow communities and the ecological processes found in them.

Each year this symposium features expert speakers who share innovative ideas and practices for designing naturalistic landscapes.
For a complete brochure, call the Morris Arboretum
at 215-247-5777, ext. 156 or 125

CEUs for Landscape Architects are offered (5/day)

Sponsored by the Connecticut College Arboretum, the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, New Directions in the American Landscape, and the PA/DE Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects

“Excellent practical information.  I found it to be very useful and inspiring for my work.”
-a 2007 conference participant

SAFETEA Grants for TRAILS May Make Your Future Greenway Project A REALITY in 2009, If You Prepare Now.

$2.1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS WILL ENHANCE NEW JERSEY'S RECREATIONAL TRAILS in 2008

(07/47) TRENTON - Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today announced that more than $2.1 million in federal grant money has been earmarked for maintaining and improving recreational trails throughout New Jersey.

"Recreational trails enhance our environment, economy and quality of life while offering health and fitness opportunities, outdoor classrooms for nature study, greenways for wildlife conservation and links with our historic past," Commissioner Jackson said. "With these funds, great trails throughout New Jersey will be even better."

In the coming year, the DEP will award approximately $1 million in competitive grants for groups that maintain and operate trails. Recipients are required to provide a 20 percent matching share for each project. More than $1.1 million from the Federal Highway Administration's Recreational Trails Program already has been approved for 48 trail projects.

Projects approved for funding include a $25,000 grant to the Bergen County Department of Parks to restore trails at Saddle River County Park. Also, Camden Greenways Inc. has partnered with the City of Camden to receive $25,000 to connect existing parks and open space as part of the Camden Greenway Trail.

In Burlington County, Wharton State Forest will use $6,425 to develop a water trail maintenance program on several rivers in the Pinelands. Randolph Township in Morris County received $25,000 to construct a trail bridge over Dawson Brook in Heistein Park as part of their township bikeway.

The non-profit Atlantic Off-Highway Vehicle Park Inc. was awarded $338,218 to establish a new riding area in Ocean County for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Thirty percent of each year's funding must be allocated for motorized trail recreation.

The 48 trail projects were recommended for funding by the New Jersey Trails Council and approved by the Federal Highway Administration under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act.

The DEP's Office of Natural Lands Management administers the program. The Trails Council comprises interest groups for hiking, mountain biking, motorized trail use, canoeing, kayaking and horseback riding as well as several general trail advocates and state government representatives.

Government agencies and non-profit organizations have until Dec. 15, 2007 to apply for the 2008 funding. Those interested in additional grant information and the application form should call the DEP Trails Program at (609) 984-1339 or visit  http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/natural/njtrails.html.

Following is a list of approved recreational trail improvement projects, totaling $1,125,093:

Atlantic County
>Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Stockton Community Trails Project: $7,000 

Bergen County
>Closter Borough, Trail System Upgrade & Maintenance: $6,500
>Bergen County Department of Parks, Saddle River County Park: $25,000
>Bergen County Improvement Authority, Overpeck Area III Improvements: $25,000
>Lodi Borough, Saddle River Linear Trail Extension: $25,000
>Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners, Lower Passaic River Canoe/Kayak Trail:  $10,261

Burlington County
>Wharton State Forest, Water Trail Maintenance Program: $6,425
>Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Trail Maintenance and Enhancement: $8,535
>Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Cedar Run Lake Trail: $9,075                                    

Camden County
>Camden County Parks Department, Slim's Ranch Trail Improvements: $25,000
>Camden Greenways Inc., Phase 1 Loop Greenway Trail: $25,000

Cape May County
>The Nature Conservancy, Delaware Bayshores, Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve: $25,000

Essex County
>South Mountain Conservancy Inc., Trail Restoration Projects: $17,700
>Irvington Township, Eastern Parkway Trail Maintenance: $13,268

Gloucester County
>Elk Township, Recreational Rail-Trail: $25,000
> Washington Township,Washington Lake Park Trail Restoration: $25,000 

Hudson County
>Hackensack Riverkeeper Inc., Hackensack River Water Trail: $25,000 

Hunterdon County
>Delaware Township, Delaware River to Wescott Preserve Trail: $19,500
>Round Valley Recreation Area, Trails Maintenance Utility Vehicle: $8,640
>Round Valley Recreation Area, Trails Maintenance Equipment: $16,000
>South Branch Watershed Association, South Branch Raritan River Water Trail: $16,676
>Voorhees State Park, Trail Mapping: $1,275 

Mercer County
>Friends of West Windsor Open Space, Zaitz Preserve Woodland Trail: $17,000
>D & R Greenway Land Trust Inc., Trails Access: $15,000
>Lawrence Township, Brearly-Great Meadow Trail: $25,000
>City of Trenton, Stacy Park Trail: $25,000
>Washington Crossing State Park, ADA Trail at Washington Grove: $12,500

Middlesex County
>Sayreville Borough, Nature Trails: $7,000 

Monmouth County
>Millstone Trailblazers, Connector Trails: $25,000
>Horse Park of New Jersey, Assunpink Trail Restoration: $25,000 

Morris County
>Chester Township, Tiger Brook Park & MacGregor Preserve: $5,650
>Morris County Park Commission, Loantaka Brook Equestrian Trail: $25,000
>Randolph Township, Dawson Brook Bikeway Bridge: $25,000
>Roxbury Township, Veterans Park Trail Phase II: $23,133
>Warren Township, Glenhurst Recreational Trail: $21,500
>Wharton Borough, Morris Canal Rail-Trail: $25,000

Ocean County
>Atlantic Off-Highway Vehicle Park Inc., Off-Highway Vehicle Park: $338,218

Passaic County
>Newark Watershed Construction & Development Corp., Trailhead Parking and Signage: $10,500

Salem County
>Pilesgrove-Woodstown Recreation Association, Marlton Park Walking Trail: $15,000

Sussex County
>Heritage and Agriculture Association Inc., Lusscroft Farm Restoration: $8,000
>Wawayanda State Park, Bicycle Route Completion: $25,000
>Wawayanda State Park, Trail Blazing/Marking:$3,800
>Wawayanda State Park, Trail Inventory and Park Mapping: $1,082 

Multiple Counties
>Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset), Trail Markers: $2,700
>Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association (Atlantic, Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Passaic, Sussex and Warren), Trail Maintenance Equipment: $24,250
>Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association (Atlantic, Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Passaic, Sussex and Warren), Trails Maintenance & Repair Tools: $21,740
>New Jersey Audubon Society (Bergen, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon and Ocean), NJAS Sanctuary Trail Project: $7,165
>New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (Morris and Passaic), Highlands Trail/Central Jersey Trails Crew: $25,000