Starting small can lead to great growth. That's what has happened with the Share the Harvest neighborhood gardens in Ellwood City, PA. Volunteers are busy getting ready for what they hope will be the best growing season so far to supply fresh produce to those in the community who need assistance. Crystal Simpson's Girl Scout group became involved with the community gardens as part of a journey. "The girls were working on a project called Sow What where they learned about where food comes from and the processes it takes to get to consumers," she said, adding that an Earth Day festival is where they met those working with the community garden and leaders of the Scouting organization decided it would be a great learning experience to plan and donate to the community.
Environmental Film Series Educates, Inspires
Introducing an Environmental Film Series to educate & inspire. "Plastic Paradise" is the first in a series of highly acclaimed films showing at the Eilandarts Center in Merchantvill on Friday, March 9 from 7-9. We are pleased to have Lena Smith, a New Jersey organizer for Food and Water Watch, to provide a perspective from the front lines of the environmental movement. Space is limited. RSVP via text to Dorothy (856) 952-9997. This is a free series, supported by local community members. Films appropriate for 7th grade and up. Donations welcome.
Basics of Raising Backyard Chickens in the Suburbs
Have you ever considered raising chickens in your backyard? Gwenne Baile, Chair, Camden County Chickens and Chair of Haddon Township’s Backyard Chicken Advisory Board will teach you how easy and rewarding it is to raise a backyard flock on Sunday, September 10th at 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM at the Camden County Environmental Center. Learn everything from choosing the right chicks, setting up a coop, and keeping them happy and healthy year-round. Rosebud, her Therapy Chicken, will be joining us!
Preservation funding at risk
A bill being considered by state lawmakers would implement the 2014 constitutional dedication of corporate business tax revenues for environmental purposes, including grants for historic preservation. However, as it reads, the measure proposes that 97 percent of dedicated revenue would be used for land acquisition, public recreation and conservation, Blue Acres and farmland preservation. That would only leave 3 percent for historic preservation. http://bit.ly/1xHKP2s
Seed Saving Demonstration
Join us on Tuesday, September 19th from 7-8 p.m. at The Collingswood Public Library for an educational evening on how to save seeds. We will cover the three basic methods of processing seeds: dry, wet, & fermentation. The presentation will be about 10-15 minutes. This will be followed by a demonstration of all three methods. If you'd like to get your hands dirty please bring your own fruits and dried seed pods with you for processing. This last part is optional. https://www.facebook.com/SJSeedCircleLibrary
Buying at the farmer's market is in our genes
One of the most notable things about the market is that it is energizing and lifts spirits. It is sensory heaven in a relaxed atmosphere. When people shop at the farmer’s market, they mention those feelings, and that people shopping and selling seem happy. The community aspect of farmer’s markets is also strong, and an important reason that farmer’s markets are growing across the nation. People seem to want to connect more with other people, something they do not get when shopping at large supermarkets. http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_ef7f17d1-f4dd-53c3-9247-4c8e7f671113.html
Water protection grant received
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation has received $715,000 in grants to protect water resources in the Pine Barrens, the Delaware Bay watershed and the Highlands. The grants represent the first phase of a $35 million, multi-year initiative by the Philadelphia-based William Penn Foundation to protect and restore drinking water for 15 million people in the Delaware River watershed. The watershed covers more than 13,500 square miles and spans New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In South Jersey, the aim is to further protect the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, a vast underground reservoir providing more than 35 billion gallons of clean water annually to residents, farmers, businesses and industry.