Tag Archives: sustainability

Water Cycle, A Refresher: Impacts On Our Lands

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In a natural watershed (with 0% impervious surface), ground water infiltration is 50%, but as development increases, impervious surface penetration decreases ranging from 42% infiltration—in low density development to areas—down to 15% infiltration in urban watersheds.
A great refresher video, provided here by The Watershed Institute, as how human activity and development impacts stormwater run-off: https://youtu.be/qmbw5qO9v74
Also, did you know that similar helpful environmental resources and planning tools are nicely organized and provided by ANJEC, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions available at: http://www.anjec.org/ToolsResources.htm

Bernardsville Bank Construction

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Clear View

photo by Charlie Zavalick

Once again Bernardsville has elected to eliminate a pocket woodland; this time to make room for a new bank.  Check out the articles and editorial in the Bernardsville News:

http://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/another-bernardsville-bank/image_6ae36c3a-ab9a-5e80-a9ee-ee702daea430.html

http://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/trees-removed-for-bernardsville-bank/article_c4ba6e5b-ea6a-54f7-9755-ed2436d19f3b.html

http://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/opinion/editorial/editorial-hideous-tree-removal-in-bernardsville/article_c093bd61-9cbd-5272-b27b-7dd645aebbb1.html

164 trees will be cut down to accommodate this new building.

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“New app could turn outdoor enthusiasts into citizen-scientists”

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Article:  “New app could turn outdoor enthusiasts into citizen-scientists”, January 13, 2016

http://sustainability.psu.edu/spotlight/new-app-could-turn-outdoor-enthusiasts-citizen-scientists

The Sustainability Institute, http://www.sustainability.psu.edu

2015 Franklin R. Myers Scholarship

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tree with sun

ACRES is pleased to announce a $500 scholarship to a deserving graduating high school senior from the Somerset Hills, New Jersey area who intends to study environmental science, conservation, biology, landscape/horticulture, sustainability, urban planning, park administration, forestry, or a related environmental or scientific field.  If you are interested, or know of a young student who may qualify, please take a look: https://acresinfo.org/scholarship/

Birds in the Suburbs

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blue herron at sunrise flying acres

Did you know that the greatest variety of birds is often found in the ‘burbs’? According to the Nature Conservancy Magazine, birds and mankind can and do coexist; especially if mankind is willing to expend a bit of thought and consideration for those feathered neighbors.  Take a look:
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The Technology of Trees

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straightened trees

BloombergBusiness has published a wonderful article discussing trees’ amazing ability to clean the environment…take a look:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-03/scientists-seeking-to-save-world-find-best-technology-is-trees

Did You Know

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morning mist1

Did you know that ACRES’ consultants John Thonet of Thonet Associates,Inc. and Blaine Rothauser of BR Environmental, Inc. gave a presentation at the ANJEC 41st Environmental Congress on October 24, 2014. Their presentation was designed to sharpen the skills of those that comment on subdivision and site plans. The presentation could also be used to assist the public, as it highlights “lessons learned”.  Most interesting, from an environmental impact perspective, is that the Bernards High School, Bernardsville, NJ, lower athletic field was used as a case study.  It’s fascinating reading…

http://www.anjec.org/pdfs/Congress2014-HoningSkillsJThonetBRothauser.pdf