Pam Mount

Sustainable Lawrence hosts Green Drinks talk May 4

Sustainable Lawrence is hosting a Green Drinks, an informal presentation and networking event on May 4 at 7 p.m. in the winery barn at Terhune Orchards. Free admission.

Mike Winka from the NJ State Energy Office will present a program, “What You Can Do To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.” If you are concerned about climate change, come and hear what you can do to add to be part of a cleaner energy system. Discover the ins and outs of energy audits, alternative energy source. Discuss the benefits for you and our community. Learn how to think local and act local. There will be time to get your questions answered about the latest programs and information that might influence your decisions about energy.

Green Drinks is an occasional series held by Sustainable Lawrence and the Lawrence Green Team to foster conversation and community about sustainability issues.

Terhune Orchards wine and light fare will be available for participants. Terhune Orchards is located at 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton.

Lawrence Township achieved Sustainable Jersey Silver certification

Lawrence Green Team and Sustainable Lawrence are delighted to announce that Lawrence Township has achieved Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification for 2016. Lawrence Township is one of only 26 New Jersey municipalities that have attained certification at the silver level in 2016. The township was honored at the Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 in Atlantic City.

Lawrence has been a leader in the sustainability movement in New Jersey and helped launch Sustainable Jersey in 2000. Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Former Lawrence Township Mayor Pam Mount is chair of Lawrence Green Team and Sustainable Lawrence. She served as chairman of Sustainable Jersey from 2012-2015.

Lawrence was certified at the Sustainable Jersey Bronze level in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014. This year the Lawrence Green Team built a partnership with Rider University Professor Dr. Brook Hunter and her capstone seminar students who spent their spring term studying our local sustainability efforts and interviewing local leaders. The students analyzed Sustainable Jersey requirements and wrote reports documenting how Lawrence has fulfilled 35 actions in 11 categories and exceeded the minimum of 350 points for Sustainable Jersey silver certification. The semester long effort brought Rider students, town volunteers and Lawrence Township staff together for a rewarding and fruitful effort in accomplishing silver certifications.

Mayor David Maffei said “I am incredibly proud of the work the Green team, Sustainable Lawrence, our residents and township staff put into our sustainability efforts.”