How to Celebrate Earth Week in Montclair – Updated!
Hi everyone, several more organizations reached out to me to let me know what they have going on in town this week, through Earth Day and into May. So here now is an even more comprehensive list of most of the many things happening in town around our climate, environment and creatures we love. It’s my pleasure to be able to curate things like this and share with all of you. I hope to see you out and about at some of these.
Being Humane is Being Green
New – Montclair Public Library & Humane Montclair Present Earth-Friendly Books and a Very Interesting Film!
Learn More Here
Composting Classes Available
| Last year, I suggested to the Adult School at the Library that they offer classes to help Montclair residents better understand composting. I’m delighted to see them doing just that and hope that some of you will consider signing up. |
| Zero Waste 101 NEWThursday, April 20, 6 p.m. at the Montclair Public Library The discussion will focus on zero-waste, our food system and waste management systems with waste reduction strategies to be offered for every citizen and consumer. Registration link here. Facebook Event page: https://fb.me/e/AFuyyHbg Backyard and Community Composting NEWFriday, April 21, 6 p.m. at the Montclair Community Farms Join a hands-on demonstration at Montclair Community Farms about compost and composting, with instruction for those who want to start their own backyard compost as well as those who aren’t able to but would like to reduce their food waste by participating in MCF’s community composting. Registration link here. Facebook Event page: https://fb.me/e/RPnEPy6H |
Earth Day Events – April 22nd
Climate Action Bike Ride with Bike & Walk Montclair – Just Added
The Northeast Earth Coalition (NEEC), Montclair Climate Action, New Jersey Sierra Club, Green Faith and Bike and Walk Montclair invite you to join thieir 2023 Earth Day Celebration from April 15-22, 2023, for a week of events on the theme of restoring our planet; culminating with a big event at Crane Park on Earth Day, April 22nd. (More on their other events below).
Other Northeast Earth Coalition Events
Monday April 17th (9:30am – 10:30am): Discussion of the Role of Community Gardens at 94 Pine Community Garden, Montclair, NJ 07042.
Wednesday April 19th (9:30am – 10:30am): Presentation: How Does your Garden Grow? at 94 Pine Street Community Garden. Montclair, NJ 07042.
Drive Electric Earth Day Electric Vehicle Showcase
Happening the same time and same place as the above event, is this awesome electric vehicle event. Come check out e-bikes, various cars and even an electric school bus!
Montclair Community Farms Earth Day Event
Get Your Plants!
Get a Free Common Violet Plant
One of our resident environmental champions, Deb Ellis — founder and co-leader of the Essex County chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, has a thought and an offer for up to 100 of you.
“Let’s all try to protect the New Jersey state flower, the common violet! Violet leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of 29 butterflies, including the Great Spangled Fritillary. And humans can eat the blossoms and the leaves too! Violets are blooming now in gardens and lawns.”
If you don’t have one and would like a free one, contact Deb here.
Spring Plant Sale at Van Vleck
It’s a pleasure for me to be able to serve as a Board Member for Van Vleck and the Montclair Foundation. Join us in Van Vleck Gardens for our fabulous annual sale of gorgeous flowers, baskets, fruits, vegetables and herbs that will dazzle in your garden. Curated by our Director of Horticulture, we have a dazzling array of healthy and stunning plants to choose from on our formal lawn. Our plant advisors can help you find what will work in your garden or patio spots. After you find all your plants to make your heart sing, enjoy a walk around lovely Van Vleck Gardens and a moment of springtime zen.
Friday, May 5th, 9am – 4pm
Saturday, May 6th, 9am – 4pm
Sunday, May 7th, 10am – 4pm
Learn more here.
Shred Fest is Back!
Save The Date – Montclair Eco-Fair 2023 – May 13th
Participating groups: Bike and Walk Montclair; NJ Native Plant Society Essex County Chapter; Bonsal Wildlife Preserve Conservancy; Quiet Montclair, Montclair Climate Action, Montclair Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Montclair Environmental Commission, Momentum Solar Power, Montclair League of Women Voters, MOM’s Organic Market, Montclair Backyard Habitat Project, NEEC Community Food Network, Montclair Make Music Day, Pedals for Progress, DollyMoo, Essex Ridge Apiaries, MASN Coop, Green Power Energy, Northeast Pollinator Pathways, Rockland-New Jersey 350.org, and Food and Water Watch and the EmpowerNJ, More Sustainable Consulting LLC, Purple Dragon Coop, Natural Resources Conservation Services, Montclair Community Farm, Montclair Girl Scouts, among others.
The Northeast Earth Coalition is partnering with St. James Episcopal Church to host this important community environment event.
Would your group like to participate? Tabling opportunities! Contact us at Info@neearth.org
Montclair Literary Festival Climate Themed Event – Just Added!
Even as climate change dominates the headlines, many of us still think about it in the future tense. What we often don’t realize is that the consequences of climate change are already visible. From half-drowned Louisiana to fire-scorched California, people are moving. Climate journalist Jake Bittle talks about his new book The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration with Bloomberg News sustainability editor Eric Roston. Bittle’s book tells the untold story of climate migration in the United States—the personal stories of those experiencing displacement, the portraits of communities being torn apart by disaster and the implications for the future if we do not act now. This event is co-presented by BlueWave NJ.
Venue: Peierls Room, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair, 67 Church St, Montclair.
Full Ban on Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
Use of gas powered leaf blowers will be banned in Montclair by the end of this year, if not sooner. Residents and commercial properties should begin to plan for this transition and have discussions with your respective service providers.
Part of a successful ban includes ensuring both the school district and the Township can comply so that our largest open spaces in Montclair are covered by this change. My colleagues and I will be seeking to include funding in this year’s budget for the Township to purchase electric blowers this year. Several of us are quite sensitive to the school district’s current budget shortfall and imposing an additional cost on them at this time. We will be reaching out to work with advocates and the district to ensure a smooth transition.
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