ANJEC Conference

Environmental Commissioners Meet, Greet, and Learn at Annual Congress

On Friday, October 24th, Jennifer Coffey the new Executive Director of the Association of Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) welcomed a room full of volunteer commissions, and environmental groups to the 41st Environmental Congress.   For 45 years the non-profit, ANJEC, has been dedicated to promoting and protecting New Jersey’s environmental resources by supporting the local commissions. These municipally appointed volunteers help their towns protect local natural resources, educate the public, and promote sustainability.

Most appropriately, former Governor Tom Kean presented the key note address, after he drafted and signed the law establishing ANJEC.  He focused on the Keep it Green NJ campaign, aimed at dedicating funds to open space preservation in New Jersey.  Governor Kean thanked the commissioners said they were following in a proud tradition of people who have made their communities better every day.

Judith Enck, USEPA Regional Administrator of Region 2, spoke about the federal plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.  She said, "Every level of government needs to work on climate change. Climate change is not coming, it’s here.  The time to act was yesterday. "

During the conference, several workshops were available for the Environmental Commission members, including water supply, resilience, climate change, and open space preservation. In addition, hands-on skill workshops in technologies such as Google Earth and advancing social media techniques were also provided.  Clean Ocean Action, provided materials especially on the Blue Star program.

Do you know if your town has an Environmental Commission? Do they know about COA’s Blue Star program?  Check ANJEC’s website to find out, and see how you can get more involved: http://anjec.org/.