An oasis from the rush of New York City, New Jersey has long been known as a green state. Its sprawling parks and shaded walkways are a testament to that.
But in recent times, the Garden State has been going even greener. Their most notable initiative is the Sustainable Jersey certification program which has been providing financial grants and sustainability training to New Jersey municipalities, schools, and school districts since 2009.
The program also has a list of actions – covering the arts, green design, health, conservation, and more – that organizations must complete to earn points and be certified sustainable. Top performers are awarded bronze, silver, and gold certifications.
Below are three neighborhoods awarded gold stars by the Sustainable Jersey program.
PRINCETON
Citing local officials, the Princeton Patch noted that “Princeton achieved its silver-level certification and gold star in health by accomplishing 52 sustainability actions in 14 categories for 657 points.”
This community in Mercer County has the following green programs:
- Tree planting – Princeton planted 758 trees from 2018 to 2022 and replaced several ash trees affected by emerald ash borers. It now has 19,000 trees within its borders.
- Alternative transport initiatives – The locale’s parking officers now use electric scooters. The town has also made electric vehicle charging stations available to the public.
- Backyard composting – Princeton made composting equipment cheaper for residents, encouraging homes to employ more eco-friendly waste management methods from the comfort of their own backyards.
- Community gardens – Princeton has two decades-old community gardens divided into leasable plots that residents use to grow produce.
MAPLEWOOD
Maplewood in Essex County earned a Sustainable Jersey Gold Star in Health for adopting a Master Plan guided by focus points that residents themselves identified as priorities. These priorities included flood management, conservation, and pedestrian safety.
The community’s other green initiatives are:
- Solar energy – It now costs a flat rate to get permits to make your Maplewood home solar energy-compatible.
- Charging stations – Like Princeton, Maplewood has made EV charging stations available to the public.
- Public art – To foster a love for their environment, local artists were tapped to beautify Maplewood’s outdoor spaces with murals.
WOODBRIDGE
Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County is a 13-time Sustainability Champion, meaning it has been advocating green initiatives within its boundaries for several years.
Woodbridge highlights their programs on their official website where you can read about initiatives like:
- Green infrastructure – The township uses plants and flowers to beautify walking paths and filter stormwater before it reaches natural bodies of water.
- Protecting biodiversity – Woodbridge maintains the Ernie Oros Wildlife Preserve, home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna.
- Energy efficiency – Some Woodbridge police cars now use idle reduction technology, which lets a car keep running without having to waste energy by idling its engine.
Searching for eco-friendly homes among the many communities of New Jersey? Let our team at Frank DeZao Homes guide you through the ins and outs of the Garden State.
Call 201.953.9376 or leave a message here to get started.