Working with Sustainable Jersey, we’re powering environmental stewardship and resiliency for communities through our Sustainable Communities Grant program. This year, we donated a total of $25,000 to five sustainability projects across our South Jersey communities.
We sat down with John Dayton from the Commercial Township’s Environmental Commission who shared his organization’s experience as a 2023 Sustainable Communities Grant winner.
Q: What inspired the Environmental Commission to apply for a grant?
A: Being right next to the Maurice River and Riverside Park, our neighborhood is home to a large population of ospreys. A few years ago, we noticed a mated pair building a nest on top of a utility pole. Unfortunately, their nest did not last long as a thunderstorm washed the nesting material into the wires, resulting in a power outage.
An Atlantic City Electric team restored power but had to remove the nest. A few days later the crew was back building an osprey nest in Riverside Park – about 100 yards away from the original location – for the mated pair. The team even made sure that the new pole height matched that of the utility pole and reused the old nesting materials so the birds would be comfortable. The birds ended up returning to the nest and raised a fledging there.
This nest rebuild inspired us. We are always on the lookout for environmentally related activities and the Environmental Commission saw this as a chance to spread awareness of the vital role these seabirds play for our ecosystem.
Q: Can you explain how the grant supported your project?
A: From ospreys and bald eagles to otters and turtles, park visitors often get the chance to see our local wildlife. The Commercial Township Environmental Commission has wanted to install educational signs to share the importance of these creatures, specifically highlighting the ospreys who call this park home. In fact, there can be anywhere from six to 12 mated pairs living in our area.
When we came across the Sustainable Communities Grant, we thought it would be the perfect way to make this project possible. Through the program, we were able to connect with a New Jersey-based company who designed the sign. They even ended up being one of the neighbors living near Riverside Park! Together, we were able to share how ospreys improve our ecosystem and teach visitors about the nests found throughout the park.
Our team also planted a pollinator garden around the new sign, as the park is part of the monarch butterfly’s migration pathway. We’re excited to continue maintaining this beautiful space and expect to plant some additional native plants next year.
Q: How did the community and the Environmental Commission celebrate the completion of the project?
A: We were lucky enough to unveil our new sign at the 2024 Mauricetown RiverFest. This incredible event drew out neighbors and community members as we celebrated our region’s nature and art.
I was honored to speak at the event and got to share the story behind the new osprey nest and sign at Riverside Park. Attendees even had the chance to hear from Pete Dunne, a New Jersey local, who has written several books about natural history and birding within our area.
Q: Can you share what the Sustainable Communities Grant means to you?
A: This project grant brings attention to the wildlife and osprey found in our region to highlight the critical role they play, but it is so much more than that.
It is a testament to our town and the efforts of everyone involved to make sure these birds have a safe place to nest. Our work to maintain the cleanliness of the area and their environment makes it possible for these birds to return each year.
The grant also shows our community that you don’t have to go far to find something that you can support. Together, we can keep our eye out for projects like these and work to bring them to life so the entire region can enjoy them.– John Dayton
Q: What’s next for the Environmental Commission?
A: Our hope is to continue spreading awareness of the wonderful animals in our ecosystem. Our region is home to a wide variety of turtle species – from terrapins and box turtles to snapping turtles – but they are at risk of being hit as they cross our roads during their journey to our waterways in the spring. We are working on a new campaign to raise awareness of these incredible reptiles within our communities and hopefully prevent some of these accidents.
Additionally, the Environmental Commission wants to improve access to food for our town as we are considered a food desert. We’re exploring the possibility of community garden plots where residents can sign up to care for a space and donate any extra crops.