EPA Watershed Academy Webinars

Second in Clean Water Act Series Join us on Thursday, September 10th for "Introduction to Water Quality Standards," a second in series of Webcasts on the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States and it sets broad goals for restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's water. Water quality standards (WQS) are aimed at translating the broad goals of the CWA into waterbody-specific objectives. Tune in to learn about WQS, which are the foundation of the water quality-based pollution control program mandated by the CWA.

The Webcast will highlight the three major components of state and tribal water quality standards e.g., designated uses, water quality criteria, antidegradation, and will include a case study of how one state is working to strengthen its WQS program. Future Webcasts will highlight other aspects of the CWA including monitoring and assessment, total maximum daily loads, programs for managing point sources and nonpoint sources, and wetland protection.

Speakers: Dr. Thomas Gardner, Environmental Scientist, U.S. EPA's National Water Quality Standards Branch; Heather Goss, Physical Scientist, U.S. EPA's National Water Quality Standards Branch; and William (Bill) Cole, Research Scientist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Water Quality Standards Unit. To register, visit http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts

General Notice

The Rutgers Water Resources Program of the Rutgers Department of Environmental Sciences has agreed to provide training and certification in Stormwater Management in Your Backyard, including rain garden design, installation and train the trainer certification to the Master Gardeners of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties in a 2-part lecture on August 31, 2009 and September 4, 2009 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, followed by a hands-on workshop at Clawson Park, East Amwell Twp on October 2nd from 9am to 5pm (times subject to change). Attendance at BOTH classes AND the hands-on workshop are required for certification. Hands-on training will include installation, and may require some heavy physical labor. This is a great opportunity for Master Gardeners who are interested in Backyard Stormwater Management, Rain Gardens and native plants, and this certification will be required for Master Gardeners interested in leading future rain garden projects. RSVP by contacting Pat Davino at 788-1338 by August 14th. RSVP is required by August 14th so we may determine location (either Hunterdon or Somerset) of the 2-part lecture.

Future workshops will be available for continuing education credits for the general membership. Such future workshops will be conducted by Master Gardeners that have received the above certified training, but will not qualify as training certification in rain gardens. For more information about the training and certification, read below and visit www.water.rutgers.edu

From Thuy Ahn, Duke 2007

I'm runing a workshop on how to run an anti-idling campaign on August 20th from 7-9 PM at the Hillsborough Municipal Building. Pam Sturmfel from NJ Enviro Federation will be the main speaker.  The flyer is attached.  My original intention was to target the PTAs in Montgomery and Hillsborough because we would focus on school campaigns.  However we've had feedback to open the program to other groups.  Montgomery invited police reps, Board of Ed, local environmental groups like Montgomery Green.  After the main talk, we're having refreshments so that participants can network and also for PTAs from different schools to partner with each other.  You're all welcome to come and bring town representatives in case you want to run the anti-idling campaign also.

From Kathy Woodward, Duke 2008

Rich Dufort, an E Steward from the 2008 Essex group, and I are working together on a project at Great Swamp NWR. Please come join us one, many or all of the work days. It would be great to see everyone again. Bring your friends. Give me a call if you have any questions.

Kathy Woodward
973-635-1083
973-214-6059 (cell)

*Get outside, work with Friends, and do something good for our part of the world.* You are invited to join other volunteers at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and remove invasive plants around the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township (at the west end of Pleasant Plains Road, access off Lee’s Hill Road, Harding Township). On the second Wednesday and fourth Thursday*, June through September, 8:30 am -12:00 noon, volunteers will cut down woody plants, primarily multi flora rose and barberry to allow the regrowth of native plants. No experience is required, but wear work clothes and shoes plus a hat, and bring a sense of humor. Gloves, equipment, instructions and snacks will be provided.

For more information, call Kathy Woodward, 973-635-1083. Weather cancellations will be posted on the Friends phone, 973-425-9510.

* July 8 and 23, August 12 and 27, September 9 and 24.

From Joe Scarpa, Ecocomplex 2007

EPV Solar and Green Paradigm Institute present “Financing Commercial and Industrial Solar Energy Systems in New Jersey.”

In this FREE seminar, EPV SOLAR will walk you through a brief “Solar 101” refresher, followed by an in-depth look at the various pools of money used to finance large solar projects.  We will finish this seminar with a discussion how your company can best take advantage of “solar funding” offered in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed Feb 2009.  EPV SOLAR’s representatives will stay to answer all of your questions.

When:  Wednesday 01 April 2009
8:30 am -   9:00 am    Registration / Light Breakfast by Green Grille
9:00 am - 10:30 am    Program Presentation by EPV SOLAR                      

Where: Energy Freedom Pioneers Eco-Industrial Park (Bldg 322)
300 Route 130, Pedricktown NJ 08067-0420                                      
  
RSVP to RSVP@GreenParadigmInstitute.com -  no cost, first-come first-served, limited seating
For directions and questions:             856 981 2973          www.GreenParadigmInstitute.com

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Free paint for charities
Organizations of every type and cause need paint from time to time. Some organizations fix homes, some help people in crises and some serve the ill. The National Council on Paint Disposition (NCPD) has developed a program that serves them all by matching organizations in need of paint with companies having excess unwanted paint.

Each year, millions of gallons of paint remain unused or unsold by our nation's retailers, manufacturers as well as various other companies. The stockpile of paint available for donation comes about by color mixing errors, discontinuance of product or simply ordering too much. The paint is of first quality and in full containers. The NCPD has compiled a list of over 7,700 charities throughout the United States who could use donated paint in their good work while allowing charities to use more of their monies raised to go toward their good work and lowering operating costs.

This program is up and running but needs funding to keep going. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss possible funding opportunities that will allow so many to benefit.

Marv Goodman
President, National Council on Paint Disposition, Inc.
PO. Box 74, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732.309.2022 ; marvgoodman@paintrecycling.org

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The Climate Ahead: Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
A Symposium at Rutgers University

Climate change is expected to alter the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events including floods, droughts, heat waves, and tropical storms. This full-day symposium will bring together researchers, stakeholders, policy makers, and citizens with an interest in the impacts of climate change on extreme weather events.

WHEN: April 6, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cook Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room, 59 Biel Rd., New Brunswick, NJ 08901

For more information and to register, please visit http://climatechange.rutgers.edu/symposium2009.php. To view the symposium agenda, please visit http://climatechange.rutgers.edu/symposium2009_agenda.php.

Lunch will be provided, and registration is free, but seating is limited. To attend, please register by March 27, 2009.

From Mark Vodak, Extesnion Forestor

The first “Walk in the Woods” which will focus on winter tree identification in North Jersey and will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2009, from 9:30 a.m. until noon at the Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Farm,  140 Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, Hunterdon County. Locust Grove Road is off Pittstown Road (Rte 615) about 3.5 miles north of Rte 12. Please call (908) 832-2400 or email njfalorij@aol.com to register if you plan to attend.

From Joe Scarpa (EcoComplex 2007)
EPV Solar and Green Paradigm Institute present “Financing Commercial and Industrial Solar Energy Systems In New Jersey.”
In this FREE seminar, EPV SOLAR will walk you through a brief “Solar 101” refresher, followed by an in-depth look at the various pools of money used to finance large solar projects.  We will finish this seminar with a discussion how your company can best take advantage of “solar funding” offered in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed Feb 2009.  EPV SOLAR’s representatives will stay to answer all of your questions.
When:  Wednesday 01 April 2009
8:30 am -   9:00 am    Registration / Light Breakfast by Green Grille
9:00 am - 10:30 am    Program Presentation by EPV SOLAR                      
Where: Energy Freedom Pioneers Eco-Industrial Park (Bldg 322), 300 Route 130, Pedricktown NJ 08067-0420    RSVP to RSVP@GreenParadigmInstitute.com -  no cost, first-come first-served, limited seating For directions and questions:             856 981 2973          www.GreenParadigmInstitute.com

From Andrea Mateo (Essex 2007)

Earth Hour 2009 Set To Switch Off The Globe

• 377 cities already committed, and double the number of countries that participated in 2008
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu leads call for actio on climate change
• Christ The Redeemer statue to turn off its lights
• Iconic Obama artist Shepard Fairey joins campaign

From Skip Jonas (Duke 2008)

The NJ-DEP is having a tree-seedling sale and it’s a great opportunity to pick up some cheap trees for the restoration project that you’ve been planning. Or convert that big expanse of municipal lawn to a carbon-capturing, oxygen-generating mini-forest. The details of the program can be found at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/forest/seedlings_reforestation.htm

Since the minimum quantity is 100 of a given species ($40/100), maybe you can get your Environmental Commission to sponsor a community wide purchase/sale (as well as educating the neighbors on the benefits of native tree species).

From Pat Bogue (EcoComplex 2007)

Invitation from:Thuy Anh (Duke 2007)

Feb 28, 2009 -Tom Matulewicz (Environmental Steward Duke Farms 07) will be speaking about the NJ Clean Energy home audit program.  Members of the Hillsborough and Montgomery Sustainability Committees, high school environmental club, and neighbors have also been invited. Tom will discuss how residents can reduce their home energy costs by @ 30% and demonstrate how an infrared thermal gun can detect leaks in your home. I look forward to seeing you then.

The workshop will be held at the Hillsborough Public Library who will co-sponsor it with both Sustainable Montgomery and Sustainable Hillsborough.  The link to register is http://www.libraryinsight.net/calendar.asp?sm=1&jx=hu .