EWING – Sustainable Jersey announced Nov. 12 the 82 municipalities, from 20 New Jersey counties, that achieved the prestigious Sustainable Jersey certification in 2019.
In Cape May County, Ocean City attained Silver status, Upper Township, and West Cape May attained Bronze status.
According to a release, at 80% participation, Sustainable Jersey has 450 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities engaged in the certification program.
“Congratulations to all of the municipalities that have achieved certification this year,” stated Randy Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “Earning certification involves more than just implementing sustainable actions. It takes extraordinary leadership and a real commitment to making our communities better. As New Jersey tops the list as one of the fastest-warming states in the nation, the next ten years will be a critical period for making progress. Sustainable Jersey certified towns are a force for change as they create a path forward to advance sustainability.”
Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency, health, and wellness, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources and advancing the arts.
In the 2019 application cycle, 27 municipalities achieved certification at the more advanced silver-level, requiring that a town meet a minimum of 350 points.
A municipality certified at the bronze-level must submit documentation to show it has completed a balance of the program’s sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 points.
Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training, and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability initiatives.
The program culminates in a certification award to municipalities and schools that have documented meeting a set of standards.
Sustainable Jersey participants have successfully implemented and documented over 16,500 sustainability actions.
Over $5.6 million in grants have been provided by Sustainable Jersey to towns, school districts and schools for community-based projects that create healthy and sustainable communities in New Jersey.
Sustainable Jersey will celebrate the certified and participating municipalities at its Annual Sustainable Jersey Luncheon held on the first day of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM) Conference Nov.r 19. The luncheon brings together over 300 local and regional government officials, green team members, industry professionals, and sustainability leaders.
The program will celebrate sustainability excellence, innovation, and leadership in New Jersey. The event is open to the public, register: https://bit.ly/2019SJAwardsLuncheon.
