Galloway Township Achieves Blue Star Scores Big and Sets Record for Water Quality

On January 19^th, COA awarded Galloway Township, NJ with their Municipal Blue Star Certificate at a ceremony at Town Hall to recognize their efforts to improve water quality. Galloway Township sets a record for achieving the highest score and joins fellow Blue Star Municipalities, Wall Township and Long Beach Township. Since the program was launched in September of 2014, three towns have been awarded the certificate and COA has engaged with over 20 towns to obtain Blue Star Certification.

The Municipal Blue Star program combines the visionary Sustainable Jersey Program with Clean Ocean Action’s focus on water quality protection. The Program encourages communities to promote healthy waters, resilient communities, and environmentally sound practices. To achieve Blue Star Award status, a municipality must target “Blue Star” actions for 50% of their total Sustainable Jersey points.

Galloway Township exceeded the necessary 150 points needed to attain certification by completing 234 points. Examples of the actions that they completed include water conservation education program, i-Tree assessment of municipal trees, and reusable bag education program. In addition to Sustainable Jersey projects, towns are required to choose one of Clean Ocean Action additional actions which are, climate adaption for flooding risk, innovative water quality project, model storm water control ordinance for municipalities, plastic bag fee or ban, or storm water utility support resolution. Galloway Township passed a Stormwater Utility Support Resolution on October 13, 2015.  

Galloway Township has been a pioneer in their region for sustainability work and planning for resilience and it is influencing success in their neighboring towns which ultimately is in the best interest of the watershed and estuary. 

When You Protect Water, You Protect What You Love

Water quality and clean water in New York and New Jersey is an issue that COA has worked to protect and improve on since 1985. For the past eight years, COA has been able to make an impact on global water resources through our partnership with Aveda. Every April, participating Aveda salons, spas, institutes, and retail center raise funds and awareness for clean water at the local and global level.

Since 1999, Aveda has raised over $38 million globally and $32 million for clean water projects worldwide. These funds help support programs such as water quality projects, COA’s education programs, coastal cleanups such as the Beach Sweeps, and much more. Aveda also partners with Global Greengrants Fund to provide grants for community-based water projects in more than 40 countries. Help make a difference and support clean water initiatives by visiting a participating salon near you, attending an event, or making a donation.

Join us at an Earth Month Event or Celebration near you:

April 13^th- Global Cut-a-thon

April 18^th- Clean Water Awareness Event at Rizzieri at Moorestown Mall, NJ

April 22^nd- Aveda & Purpose.com Panel on Sustainability with key speakers from sustainable design, education, corporate, and non-profit sectors.

April 25^th- Beach Sweeps

-          Spruce Salon will be at Spring Lake Heights

-          Linsdy Casey Salon will be at Ocean City, NJ

-          Aveda at Short Hills Mall will be at Toney Brook, NJ

April 26^th- Cut-a-Thon at Euphoria Hair Salon, Hopewell Junction, NY

May 4^th- Cony Island Clean Up hosted by Parlor Salon

Month-long Aveda Events

-          Massages for Clean Water

-          Stress-Fix Relaxation Treatments at all Experience Centers

-          Aveda Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill, NJ

-          Crowdrise Fundraising for a Cause

-          Aveda Columbus Circle will host yoga classes Every Sunday at 9am for a $10 donation.

-          Raffles and fundraising campaigns held at individual stores