MAPLEWOOD RECEIVES $10,000 GREEN GRANT

From Maplewood Township today:

Grant Provided to Fund Green Team Network and Sustainable Projects.

Maplewood, NJ (March 13, 2014) – Sustainable Jersey representatives announced today that Maplewood Township has been awarded a Sustainable Jersey Small Grant. Maplewood is one of just eight municipalities in New Jersey to receive a Sustainable Jersey Small Grant at the $10,000 level. The Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program funded by the PSEG Foundation is providing $200,000 in grants to local governments for sustainability projects. Since 2009, Sustainable Jersey has distributed approximately $1,375,000 in grants to New Jersey municipalities to help towns make their communities more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous.

“Maplewood Township is thrilled to receive a Sustainable Jersey Small Grant,” said Kathleen Leventhal, deputy mayor of Maplewood Township. “These funds will help us strengthen our Green Team network across Essex County and develop two important community projects that will help our residents save money while making our town a more sustainable and healthy place to live.”

In early 2013, the Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn Green Teams began a collaboration called MAPSOMIL Green Teams that has exceeded the expectations of all the participating parties. The collaboration was recognized by Sustainable Jersey with the 2013 Sustainable Jersey Collaboration Award. The Maplewood Green Team will use the grant funds to initiate an Essex County Green Team Network that grows the Green Team partnership beyond the three towns. In addition, two sustainability pilot-projects will be completed by the Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn Green Teams. One project will focus on energy efficiency outreach and the second project will be a residential sustainable lawn and garden program. 

The winners of the grants have projects that provide sustainable solutions to everyday challenges. Organic curbside waste recycling, sustainability ordinances, hawk habitat restoration, a bike depot for commuters, formation of a regional green team network, a water conservation tax credit, a rain garden and more have been added to the list of initiatives that the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants program is funding. 

“PSEG is committed to being a steward of the environment and making meaningful contributions to the communities it serves,” said Ellen Lambert, president of the PSEG Foundation and director – Corporate Responsibility. “We are proud to support this program and to fund projects that will make life better in neighborhoods throughout New Jersey.”