Sustainability Efforts In Chester Honored At Statewide Ceremony

CHESTER, NJ — Chester Township was recently recognized for its commitment to sustainability by the statewide nonprofit organization, Sustainable Jersey.

The township received a bronze-level certification with 170 points for 2022, and is among 81 municipalities that have attained certification for this year.

All certified towns were announced at the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon on Nov. 15, 2022, at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City.

According to Sustainable Jersey, certified towns are considered an exceptional group of municipalities that are making significant contributions to the long-term goal of a sustainable New Jersey and world.

This is the fifth time that Chester Township has achieved Sustainable Jersey certification since the program’s inception. The Chester Township Environmental Commission oversees this program at the local level, officials said.

“As New Jersey faces issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity divide and environmental pollution, the certified towns exemplify the commitment we need to accelerate the transition to a sustainable New Jersey,” Randall Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey said.

Chester Township, like all certified towns, excelled in areas such as energy efficiency, health and wellness, waste reduction, local economic sustainability, natural resource protection and arts advancement.

Participating communities in Sustainable Jersey account for more than 82% of the municipalities in the state, officials said.

Chester Township submitted documentation demonstrating that it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 action points, to become Sustainable Jersey certified.

In addition to reaching 150 points, each certified community had to create a green team and select at least two out of fourteen priority action options.

Chester Township completed two priority actions – a Natural Resource inventory and a fleet inventory – as well as many projects including a Monarch way station, community garden, well water testing, tree giveaway, stormwater education, recycling programs, open space planning, farmland preservation and more.

Sustainable Jersey has awarded grants totaling more than $7.2 million to municipalities and school districts in New Jersey for community-based projects that promote healthy and sustainable communities.