April 3, 2021
6 Ways to Go Green:
Students Ideas from our 2021 Green Vision Forum
Check out the excellent environmental actions shared by students at the recent Green Vision Forum. From native plants to e-waste and EV's, there is something for everyone.
1) EAT NATIVE!
Torey J. Sabatini School
TJS students want you to cook and eat native plants from your yard. Find yummy recipes like Mayapple Jam or Carolina Rose Honey in their amazing cookbook, The Plant Chronicles.

Look for native plant recipes featured at some Madison restaurants!
2) GARDEN ON YOUR ROOF
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Green roofs are happening in Madison at Realogy headquarters on Park Avenue. FDU challenges us to turn more roofs green, allowing building owners to reduce rain runoff, lower energy costs, help purify the air and grow food.
Check out the Madison EV Expo on Thursday, April 22, 2-5pm at the Sunday Motor Co.
3) START YOUR GREEN COMMUTE
Saint Elizabeth University
Warm weather means you can replace car trips with walking and biking. SEU students want you to replace gas guzzlers with climate-friendly electric vehicles. Learn how transportation choices and other activities affect your carbon footprint.
4) STOP PLASTIC POLLUTION
Central Avenue School, Madison Junior School and Girl Scout Troop 6168
Madison students and Girl Scouts noted ways we can reduce the serious plastic pollution problem in our landfills and oceans.

  • First and foremost: Refuse plastic! Reduce single-use plastic with your reusable water bottle, by skipping the straw and other simple actions.
  • Learn which plastics Madison recylces using Recycle Coach
  • Look for innovative programs to turn plastic into useful items. CAS will turn bottle caps into benches and MJS is recycling toys with TerraCycle.
5) RECYCLE YOUR E-WASTE
Kings Road School
Did you know that electronic waste or "e-waste" is the most toxic waste and that NJ law requires televisions to be recycled?

ο»ΏKings Road School students are spreading the word and want you to recycle computers, VCRs, cell phones, printers and other items at PC Problems. TVs and computer monitors (with tubes) cannot go in the trash and must be brought to the Borough Recycling Center.
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6) REUSE YOUR CLOTH MASK
Madison High School Project Aware

MHS students told us that we can reuse cloth masks if cleaned properly. When you do discard your mask, please cut the ear straps to protect wildlife.

Reduce mask litter in Madison! Join MHS students in a socially distanced cleanup on April 10th @ 1pm at the MHS Parking Lot.ο»Ώ
🌱 Thank you to the students who participated in the Green Vision Forum. Contact the MEC with questions on student programs 🌱
A🌏 Earth Month Events
We're ready for spring with gardening resources, rain barrels, yard sales and more!
Native Plant Sale! 
Order online April 1–22 for pick-up on May 1

Native plant pollinator gardens are delightful and necessary to sustain wildlife. Finding native perennials that will thrive in our local area can be challenging β€” so the Great Swamp Watershed Association, Madison Environmental Commission, Garden Club of Madison and other local organizations have joined together and done the work for you!

Order now at the GSWA Native Plant Sale. The website provides details on the plants, garden plans and excellent resources.

The sale offers plant kits or standalone plants:

🌱 Small kits of 16 plants for $40
(4 species x 4 each, with spring, summer and fall bloomers)

🌱 Large kits of 32 plugs for $80
(6 species x 4 each and 8 of 1 other species, with spring, summer and fall bloomers)

🌱 Standalone species sold in sets of 4 for $12 per set, with 18 species to choose from

Composter and Rain Barrel Sale: April 1 to 21

Composters, rain barrels and assorted tools on sale now at wholesale prices, a partnership with the Environmental Commissions of Madison and Morris Township. Order online for pick up on April 22 by visiting the Morris Township & Madison Composter & Rain Barrel Sale.
Organic Vegetable Gardening

Presented by Rutgers Master Gardener and Madison Environmental Commission member Brian Monaghan

Monday, April 5 at 7:30 PM via Zoom

Start growing your own herbs and vegetables. Learn how to plan, plant and care for your garden or community garden plot, with emphasis on organic gardening practices. Help with determining the best location, choosing seeds and seedlings, and advice for the entire growing season will be provided.

Hosted by Madison Public Library
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Gardening: Paradise for Pollinators

With Gail Di Domenico, Master Gardener

Thursday, April 15, 7:30–9:00 PM via Zoom

Learn to attract butterflies, a variety of birds including hummingbirds, bees, dragonflies and other interesting and fun-to-observe pollinators and wildlife. Help to restore native habitats & the environment while you benefit from beautiful plants and creatures in your yard. Handouts will include lists plants and resources for further information.

Presented by the Environmental Commissions of the Chathams, Madison and Morris Township in conjunction with Rutgers Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau
List your sale on a tri-town Google map with a $10 tax-deductible donation to the Great Swamp Watershed Association. We'll share it far and wide, starting April 16.
Electric Vehicle Expo
Thursday, April 22nd, 2-5pm
Calling all race fans and climate activists!

Chevrolet Bolt, Honda Clarity, Tesla, Porsche Taycan, Karma, Volvo, BMW and VW ID.4 are bringing their newest models to Madison for an EV Expo that is co-sponsored by the Environmental Commissions of Madison and the Chathams. In addition, Hilltop Bicycles will showcase an electric bike. Sunday Motor Co. is located at 27 Kings Road, Madison, . 
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