The Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission received a 2012 Sustainable Raritan Award from the Middlesex County Improvement Authority. The award was given for outstanding environmental education and conservation work in the Lower Raritan Watershed.     

The MCIA Award Announcement:  

2012 Blue Raritan River Awards  

1. Stewardship Award:  Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission 

2.  Description of Activities:   The FEBEC has held a variety of stewardship and related public education activities on nocturnal moths, butterflies, birds, and salamanders for a number of years, including counts, habitat protection and expansion, lectures, and website education.  For eight years, the FEBEC has assisted salamanders to cross Beekman Road to reach a vernal pool.  The FEBEC worked collaboratively with East Brunswick Township to secure annual road closures, informed the public of the closures, and provided daily status reports of conditions, observances, and an invitation to unique opportunities to witness this interesting event.  The FEBEC has managed a butterfly park and worked with residents in a community garden for many years.  The FEBEC holds events and school activities and uses its website to educate the public on a variety of species.  In December 2011, at the encouragement of the FEBEC, the Township of East Brunswick passed a resolution supporting a Vernal Pool Protection Plan.  Most recently, the Friends initiated ‘National Moth Week’ as part of its moth program.  Through social medial, the idea has generated interest and adoption around the world. 

3.  Photos, Articles, Media: www.friendsebec.com for information and photos on all of the above, a blog on the same, and list of board members.    

4.  Contact: mailto:friends.ebec@gmail.com

_________________________________________________________________

The Friends was founded in 2006 and is a New Jersey Tax Exempt and Federal 501C(3) Non-Profit. Friends membership and programs are free and open to anyone with an interest in nature and the environment. Join us for innovative and fun nature-based activities and programs in the community. The 2012 MCIA award follows on the heels of many other awards and recognition for the Friends:

Environmental Achievement Award: Butterfly Park

Association of NJ Environmental Commissions Environmental Achievement Award: Salamander Crossing Project

Joint Resolution of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly: Butterfly Park

Environmental Quality Award: Butterfly Park United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 2

Environmental Excellence Award: Healthy Ecosystems New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Environmental Enhancement Award: Butterfly Park New Jersey Association of Landscape Architects

Outstanding Local Environmental Protection Award: Vernal Pool Protection Plan New Jersey Audubon Society

H20 Highlands to Ocean: Vernal Pool Protection Plan Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

Environmental Achievement Award: Community Garden Association of NJ Environmental Commissions

Environmental Achievement Award: NJ Nature Notes Website Association of NJ Environmental Commissions

Environmental Achievement Award: Moth Nights Association of NJ Environmental Commissions

National Sustainable Communities Award: Home Depot Foundation

Garden State Green Award: Environmental Non-Profit/Honorable Mention and Environmental of the Year, Dave Moskowitz, President - FEBEC