The WTEAC Promotes a Greener Lifestyle in Wall Township

The Wall Township Environmental Advisory Committee would like to thank the Wall Patch for giving us the opportunity to share with their readers how we go about preserving and protecting the earth by minimizing the carbon footprint, reducing waste, and just living a greener lifestyle. 

The WTEAC promotes its “Clean Water and Lawn Conservation Program.”   This free challenge initiative is open to residents who want to reduce their negative environmental impact, educate themselves on more efficient environmental practices, save money, and lead by example. 

Residents should visit WallNJ.com and look under “What’s New” on the Home Page, click Clean Water and Lawn Conservation Program: Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3, and then download the documents.  For their convenience, there is a short and long version of the challenge.  Residents can use either version.

We encourage our residents to study all items and total up their score.  If they have a score of 20 or higher, then they can bring the form to the Clerk’s Office at the Wall Municipal Building, and pick up a certificate which notes that they are  eco-friendly.  This certificate is suitable for framing at their business or in their home.  The WTEAC encourages residents, groups, organizations or anyone else to participate in this positive challenge.

The WTEAC encourage residents to visit the Community Park “Old Nature Trail” (an Eagle Scout Project) located behind the soccer fields at the Wall Municipal Complex.  (Look for the bench as a marker).  This self-guided trail has signs along the way that describe the wildlife, plants, and environmental topics.  The trail is especially suited for parents who want to teach their children about nature and for teachers who would like to create live outdoor science lessons in a field trip. It’s fun and free!

The WTEAC just celebrated “Earth Hour” which is a symbolic movement that demonstrates that if each of us work together, we can reduce the carbon footprint by raising environmental awareness to make a positive impact on climate change and energy conservation.  We encouraged our residents to voluntarily turn off unnecessary lights for one hour.

The WTEAC raises awareness about the environment by providing our Wall School students with the opportunity to participate in a Poster, Poetry, and Essay competition. We award first place winners with a $50 gift certificate.  All winners receive ribbons and certificates.  We will be hosting our 23rd Poster, 16th Poetry, and 19th Essay environmental ceremonies, which we believe is the longest time frame of any environmental organization.  Education is the key to learning about energy conservation.

The WTEAC will also again be hosting its 7th Annual Arbor Day Tree Planting ceremony. 

The WTEAC will be hosting our 9th Annual Environment Summit with our District 30 legislators.  This gives environmental groups and the public the option to ask whatever environmental questions that are of concern to them.

The WTEAC recently participated in a cleanup of Wreck Pond on Rt. 71.  Our committee was extremely proud of all our student and resident volunteers from Wall and other communities who assisted us in this endeavor.

The WTEAC expects to again participate in the Wall Fair and Kids Day America.  The WTEAC sets up a booth and teaches children about non-point source pollution using the Enviroscape.  We also disseminate educational environmental materials to further educate our citizens and children.

The WTEAC also appreciates the input and handouts from the New Jersey Natural Gas Company who keep our committee informed on rebates, incentives, savings, and other promotions.   For additional e-tips, visit www.njng.com

Most notably, the Green Team is registered with Sustainable Jersey and is working toward certification.   The Green Team is pursuing efficient environmental measures for energy savings for our residents while “going green” at the same time.

Wall Township has two rain gardens, two recycling centers for the residents’ convenience, has embraced single stream recycling, preserved much open space, and performed an energy audit of its buildings.  Wall Township will also provide residents with a Paper Shredding day in the fall.  Wall has the best of three watersheds:  Shark River, Manasquan River, and Wreck Pond.  Those of us who reside in Wall Township enjoy all of our natural resources.

The WTEAC is working on a Commemorative Heritage Book depicting photos of “Living in Wall Township, Past and Present.” 

Our committee has existed for 35 years with exceptional volunteer members who are committed to protecting and preserving our natural resources through education, research, and projects. 

The WTEAC brochures include Wall’s Bike Tours, Native Garden, Rain Garden, Self-Guided Nature Trail, Open Space, Parks and Activities, Rare and Endangered Species, Scenic Watersheds and Unique Areas, and the WTEAC – Who We Are and What We Do.  These brochures can be downloaded by visiting wallnj.com, and clicking on the Government tab on top, scrolling down to Boards/Committees and clicking on Environmental Advisory.  Please feel free to download these brochures for your viewing pleasure.

Our present members include:  Wilma Morrissey, Chairwoman; Rich Mertens, Vice Chairman; Suzanne Klinger, Secretary; Ed Loud, Trish Longo McCarthy, Joe Balesterri, Ellen Smith, Bob Baumgartner, John Vanderslice, and Deputy Mayor Clint Hoffman.  Clint is our very gifted and respected liaison whose assistance has been invaluable to us.

Our members practice the 3 R’s:  Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  They also save energy, conserve water, and oppose littering. 

Please contact the Wall Township Environmental Advisory Committee by phoning 732 449-8444 if you would like us to entertain any other activities that your readers would like to present to us.

Wilma Morrissey, WTEAC Chairwoman