Brigantine Beach Green Team Rutgers Atlantic County Master Gardeners March 14, 2014 Meeting

Mission We are dedicated to supporting the creation of a more environmentally sustainable community in Brigantine. Through collaborative efforts, our team of volunteers works with individuals, municipal representatives and other community organizations to foster involvement and assist with any Brigantine green project.

Go Green Team Formed in June 2013, we are a grassroots community movement at the moment propelled with the help of Sustainable Jersey program; Has a core group of members, and a sizable volunteer base that is growing; Working on a variety of projects such as Recycling, Water & Energy Conservation, Dune Beautification/Restoration, and our biggest project at the moment, bringing a Farmer's Market to Brigantine.

Sustainable Jersey Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, save money and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. Launched in 2009, they are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward communities as they pursue sustainability programs.

The Sustainable Jersey Program The Green Team is an all volunteer community outreach and educational organization that supports the mission of Sustainable Jersey Jersey Why Get Certified? Few contest the benefits of clean air, fresh water, waterways filled with fish, garbage in its proper place, clean energy options, parks and open space and a healthy place to work and live. How do we achieve this as a state? Sustainable Jersey provides a framework for municipalities to follow to become more sustainable.

Sustainable Jersey towns Gain access to training, tools and expert guidance. Save money. Get money. Get recognized and promote your town Conserve valuable resources Protect the environment

Actions & Certification Sustainable Jersey certification is a prestigious designation for municipal governments in New Jersey. The [free] certification is a rigorous and meaningful designation. All actions taken by municipalities to score points toward certification must be accompanied by documentary evidence and is reviewed. See Handout. Brigantine is Registered and working towards certification…

A few of our projects Green Fest & Mini Farm Market Dune Restoration October 2013 Dune Grass Planting Anticipated April 2014 Native Seedling Plantings Beach Plum Planting We will help distribute through recent NJ Tree Recovery Campaign Giveaway, e.g. Bay Berry, Black Gum, Dune Beautification and Tracking Native Plants Farmers Market

RUTGERS MASTER GARDENERS representing Brigantine Garden Club Composting 2013 Green Fest

Green Fest

Dune Grass North End Beach

Dune Restoration & Beautification This is a three phase project Phase 1 November Completed over two days Initial plot was 1 mile on North end dunes Volunteers collected seed from native plants and scattered naturally/not planted Zero budget project

Dune Restoration & Beautification Milkweed

Beach Pea

Prickly Pear Cactus Wormwood

Coreopsis (Tickseed)

Dune Restoration & Beautification Phase 2 Volunteers will plant indigenous plants such as beach plums and yuccas Beach plums donated & yuccas are plants discarded by landscapers Phase 3 Plantings will include NJ endangered flora Ongoing Monitor growth and report

2014 Farmers Market June 28 th – August 16 th Saturdays from 8:30 – Noon The Green Team held a trial run mini Farmers August 2013 Green Fest

Q&A? Thank you for having us! arket arket