Celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day by participating in the many environmental and sustainability events, programs, and activities that the Chatham Township Environmental Commission (CTEC) is offering this April.  Here are just a FEW of our many offerings: 

Friday April 16, 2010: Kick Off Event for the Save It to Spade It! and  Soak It—Don't Send It !  CTEC Composters and Rain Barrels Program

Our program offers our residents and schools-- and other nearby* communities and schools--the opportunity to:

• purchase composters and rain barrels at deeply discounted prices
• have their purchases delivered FREE to a convenient pick up location in their area
• receive FREE lessons on composting and rain barrel use
• receive FREE composter/rain barrel accessories

At the kickoff event, the public can come to pick up their pre paid composters and/ or rain barrels and our* residents and schoolteachers can receive free lessons in composting and rain barrel use; in addition, free accessories come with pre paid orders.  For Order Forms and information email ecommissioner@gmail.com or call 973-714-3996.  Product displays, order forms, and educational materials will be also be available at The Library of The Chathams, 214 Main Street, Chatham Borough, beginning March 12.  Product pre-payment is required for discount prices of $55/composter and $70/ rain barrel.

Event: 7 to 8 p.m., Friday April 16, 2010 at Chatham Middle School, 480 Main Street, Chatham Borough, NJ 07928: free lessons on composting and rain barrel use and pick up your pre purchased items.    *Sponsored by the Chatham Township Environmental Commission, the Madison Environmental Commission & Green Team, The Chatham Borough Green Initiatives Committee, the Summit Environmental Commissions and the Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission.

Saturday April 17, 2010: Chatham Township Environmental Commission (CTEC) sponsors its eighth Annual Riverside Clean Up event along the Passaic River, RAIN OR SHINE from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Everyone is invited to come help clean up or walk all, or part, of the 0.7 mile long stretch of riverbank.  Pitch in to pick up trash, prune multiflora rose plants, and enjoy a taste of spring.  Cotton work gloves and trash bags will be provided—thanks to a donation by Shop Rite of Chatham Township.  CTEC will provide refreshments—but in keeping with our "Reduce Use Program," please bring your own reusable water container rather than a disposable plastic beverage bottle. The Chatham Township property is habitat for birds and wildflowers and the goal of the event is to maintain a pleasant area for nature study and enjoyment along the river.

Thanks to the New Providence Department of Public Works, parking for this event will be permitted in the New Providence Wastewater Treatment Plant gravel lot, located on Passaic Street-- directly adjacent to the Passaic Street Bridge.  The event takes place near the parking lot--directions are below.  We suggest you wear rubber boots and old clothes. Kids are OK with supervision.  If you wish, bring pruning shears and loppers and your own work gloves.  Emphasis will be on pruning multiflora rose to open up the path.  We are thankfully welcoming back Scouts again, including Girl Scout Troop 944!  We also thank Chatham Disposal Company for offering their services again this year for the pickup of the trash bags after the cleanup.

Directions:  Southern Boulevard or Fairmount Avenue to River Road; right on to River Road; first left onto Passaic Street Bridge; cross bridge and make immediate first left into the gravel parking lot of the New Providence Department of Public Works; park next to river.  Information Flyer is available at http://www.chathamtownship.org/CTEC/Riverside-cleanup-041710.html or call Dot Stillinger at 973-377-6992.

Saturday April 24, 2010: Chatham High School's Student Environmental Club is hostingits  2nd Annual Earth Day Carnival in the CHS "C" Gym, 255 Lafayette Avenue, Chatham Township from 9am to 5pm.   The Chatham Township Environmental Commission will be back again this year at the E-Carnival with a display booth and give aways!

Throughout April 2010:

Tour the "Native Wildlife Habitat" (NWH) in Chatham Township.  View the Rain Garden at the NWH and learn how to make one in your own yard.  Chatham Township Environmental Commission (CTEC) runs programs for adults and children.  Residents, parents, and Scout Leaders can bring their supervised children and Scouts there after school and all summer long.   Teachers use the NWH for poetry or descriptive writing lessons, for art projects, and science activities--such as release of butterflies raised in the classroom.  As in past years, this year's Earth Day at the NWH will include a nature scavenger hunt for first graders.  Come see the newly planted daffodil bowl.  Details about the NWH are at http://www.chathamtownship.org/CTEC/native-wildlife-habitat.html , and if you want specific program information, then click on "EC contact" at the bottom of that CTEC webpage.

Video Contest: view the winning video all month long. Details at http://www.chathamtownship.org/videocontest.pdf

Chatham Township Environmental Commission Associate Member Andreana Field is helping Southern Blvd School, in Chatham Township, to mark the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and to celebrate Arbor Day.  Five "Graduation trees" --one tree for each graduating 3rd Grade class at Southern Blvd School—will be planted.   Students and parent volunteers we will set five trees and deer fence them each for protection. 

Lectures: "Environmental Commissioners: Who ARE These People?" and other lectures including "Environmental Commissions-How Can They Help Me?"  and "The 'Sustainable Jersey' Program—Environmental and Financial Benefits for our Community, our Kids, and our Schools" are scheduled in April for PTOs and now will also be offered to schools and other community groups.  Schedule a lecture with CTEC Community Education & Outreach via http://www.chathamtownship.org/CTEC/EC-contact.html .

Learn more about your drinking water: participate in the Water Symposium post event activities.  Go to http://www.chathamtownship.org/CTEC/water_symposium_info.pdf

Other programs, events, and activities: Chatham Township Environmental Commission http://www.chathamtownship.org/CTEC/index.html or email us via http://www.chathamtownship.org/CTEC/EC-contact.html or leave a message for the Environmental Commissioners at Chatham Township Municipal Main Office 973-635-4600.