Earth Day Encourages "Green" Events in Basking Ridge

The celebration of Earth Day has spread to a month-long calendar of "eco" events in many places, including Basking Ridge. A Somerset County "eco-rally" to encourage energy use reduction and a "greener" lifestyle is underway through next week. Other events are on the calendar for the next two weeks.

The Somerset Hills YMCA in Basking Ridge will host Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids Day from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, at its facility at 140 Mount Airy Rd in Basking Ridge.

The event is free and anyone from the community is welcome. The event incorporates the national Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day along with activities that celebrate Earth Day. Numerous community organizations will participate with games, giveaways, and exhibits that will promote a healthier earth and healthier families.

T3 Lacrosse, which offers year round lacrosse to boys and girls in New Jersey, is the event’s lead eco-friendly sponsor. Sea Bright Solar is the event’s kid-friendly sponsor; other sponsors include Great Swamp Watershed, Master Gardeners of Somerset County, Schiff Nature Preserve, Earth Share, Royal Chevrolet and  Open Road Family of Dealerships.

Activities on the day will include a family bike rally at 2 p.m., face painting, magician, animal balloonist, music from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. with Vote Zlock Rivera and special guests including drummer Steve Honoshowsky; climbing wall activities from 2 to 4 p.m,; David Ellis healthy food creations, dance classes for kids, karate classes for all, science fun, kids’ obstacle course and tug of war and more than 20 community partner organizations and businesses. Expected participants include the Bernards High Environmental Club and Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge.

Peter Barry, event coordinator and the Y’s Director of Competitive Sports, said “With keen awareness these days on the need to protect our planet and to educate our youth about the need to be good ambassadors of environmental protection, the Y is a perfect community leader in this critical area of social responsibility.

"Furthermore, the Y’s Healthy Kids Day focuses on improving the nation’s health and well-being, so we decided to host an event with partner community organizations to convey a strong message of taking care of the planet and taking care of your own health," Barry said. "This is a grass roots effort – teaching a child not to drop their candy wrapper, suggesting a family walks to the grocery store instead of driving, or educating a homeowner on how to eliminate lawn chemicals in favor of eco-friendly products."

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Somerset Hills YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign that provides financial assistance to the community through scholarships and program support. Last year alone, the Somerset Hills YMCA allocated more than $867,000 in direct and indirect support to those who need it most. For more information on Healthy Earth, Healthy Kids Day, please contact Jackie Surette at jsurette@somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898, ext. 1362.

For more information, please visit the Somerset Hills YMCA website  www.somersethillsymca.org or call 908-766-7898.

Meanwhile, the Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge has organized its third annual to encourage residents to adopt a greener lifestyle to reduce their energy consumption and "carbon footprint" on the earth. In the past, the program has attracted an annual 1,000 participants.

Beginning Friday, April 1 and concluding Friday, April 15, participating individuals, families, and work, social, or sports groups will have an opportunity to maintain a daily log of everyday tasks that serve to reduce the use of energy and promote a greener lifestyle. Recommended actions include turning off lights when leaving a room, cycling or walking instead of driving, utilizing reusable bags when shopping, planting a native garden or tree, carrying lunch in reusable containers, and other methods of saving energy.

Participants are asked to create a display of posters or pictures representing their contribution to the environment. Projects will be exhibited from April 21 through May 1 at the Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The Eco-Rally Ceremony is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.

“The Eco-Rally provides an opportunity for individuals to become aware of the little things that people can do as part of their every day lives that serve  to minimize the carbon footprint,” stated Carrie Springer, Naturalist at the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge. “The Eco-Rally reinforces the fact that these very important actions are easy to accomplish and little by little, create a significant positive impact on the environment.” 

There is no charge for participation and teams are encouraged to sign up in advance. To request an application or for further information, contact Carrie Springer, naturalist, 908-766-2489, ext. 326 or email cspringer@scparks.org.

And on Earth Day itself, Friday, April 22, Back to Nature Home & Garde will officially open its eco-inspired garden retail store in Basking Ridge with a number of events planned between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Those who stop by will be able to talk with a beekeeper, organic gardener, take a look at an organic garden and more, said Kate Kurelja, marketing director for the new garden center at 3055 Valley Road, by the intersection with King George Road.

In conjunction with the grand opening, the center already has contacted area schools for a ''Go Local for Earth Day'' poster contest, Kurelja said. The entries will be on display in the center on April 22, she said. The center will donate, plant and dedicate a tree at each of the winners' schools, she said.

“We aim to help the backyard gardener turn to an organic approach. Our landscape team implements ecologically sustainable and regenerative designs, but we realized our community needed a place that could foster development of these practices individually,” said Anthony Sblendorio, Founder of Back to Nature Home & Garden.