Green Build/Biz

For more information about this task force, contact Scott Downie at sdownie@spiezle.com.

Mission Statement:

To achieve a sustainable Cherry Hill through green building and land use planning practices by 2020

Strategies:

  • Educate the community about our mission through information sharing, conducting community outreach sessions, and working with SCH.
  • Conduct efforts through two green building groups focused on “commercial” and “residential” stakeholders as the interests of these groups differ.
  • Support and interact with other SCH task forces to maximize impact of outreach.
  • Recruit others of shared mind and energy into the group to magnify impact.

Objectives:

  • Conduct education sessions on Home Energy Audits and other topics – Initial session achieved September 2009; possible water conservation seminar spring 2010
  • Education Session Follow-up: Develop an approach to understanding who attends our sessions and the actions they take as a result – established and underway with follow-up communications in October, November and closure in December.

Ongoing Efforts:

  • Energy Audit Session follow-up: achieve 100+ follow-ups through our information into this NJ Clean Energy program to become the first community in NJ to document this goal by end of 2009 – (underway)
  • Education Sessions (ongoing): Establish a regular schedule of education efforts and information sessions – (planning Earth Day water conservation display)
  • Commercial Outreach: Establish programs (with Business Task Force) to help the commercial community understand how to move toward green – underway on multiple fronts:
    • develop“10-step” framework for businesses to start and stay green
    • “lessons learned” guidance documents outlining how businesses have tackled sustainability challenges locally (first several in development
    • develop possible web-accessed resource for this information
    • integrate informational efforts with the Camden County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Meetings: this task force meets the third Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. at Panera Bread located at Route 70 & Haddonfield Road (Garden State Plaza) to enhance awareness, recruit participants, and develop additional ideas for advancement

________________________________________________

There’s a Cherry Hill pre-teen who takes one-hour showers. Honestly! That was the eye-opener Sustainable Cherry Hill Green Building task force members discovered at their water conservation booth during the Cherry Hill Art Blooms Earth Day Festival April 24, 2010.

How much water can you save?

How much water can you save?

Our task force led by Scott Downie, focused on how we can conserve water. Member Yvette Kline compiled data from a water usage survey taken by dozens of people in the township to show how many thousands of gallons of water we save – or in some cases- waste. The interest in the poster display included a message suggesting people cut down their shower times to about five minutes which saves water and of course, saves on your bill.

When we suggested to this 11 or 12-year-old girl that she could save water and (her parents’) money by cutting down her shower time, she refused to consider the idea. She said her shower time is time to relax. Fortunately, there

Action News paid a visit to the Cherry Hill Earth Day Festival

Action News paid a visit to the Cherry Hill Earth Day Festival

were many people visiting the water conservation booth who were surprised at how much water is wasted. We feel as though we were successful in planting the seed that water conservation is an important step in sustainability.

The day simply would not have happened without the outstanding organization by Sustainable Cherry Hill board member Jodi Raditz. She recruited merchants, school environmental clubs, community groups and volunteers and so much more to make the day complete.

Sustainable Cherry Hill’s collaboration with Cherry Hill Township and the Arts Board in presenting the Art Blooms Earth Day Festival

Wild Birds Unlimited exhibit

Wild Birds Unlimited exhibit

brought thousands of visitors to Croft Farm adjacent to Challenge Grove off Brace Road at Bortons Mill Road. Our sponsors included Chef Joe Palombo and Mirabella Café whose staff served up delicious food through the sunny day; Alber Service Company, Body Solutions and the Delaware River Port Authority. Many other businesses and organizations participated with donations and in-kind services including South Jersey Magazine, NJ American Water, the Courier Post and Money Mailer.

We’re hoping to build on the success of this year’s Earth Day Festival as we plan for next year’s event.

YIKES!  HOW MUCH WATER DO I USE??!! Did you get your March water bill?

If you are a typical American, you use about 100 gallons of water a day, most of that at home — flushing the toilet, taking a shower, doing the laundry, washing the dishes, brushing your teeth and watering the lawn. That’s 100 gallons for EACH person in your house.

Since your water bill is not a major budget buster, most of us are only loosely aware that our monthly water consumption is measured to the nearest thousand gallons.  While your water bill might not grab your attention, compare your usage with your neighbors’ and you have something worth looking at!  The Green Building Task Force of Sustainable Cherry Hill conducted a water usage pilot study.

Thanks for participating AND for checking out Art Blooms Earth Day Festival at Croft Farm on April 24, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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Where were you the night of September 30, 2009 between the hours of 7 and 9?

If you were one of the more than 85 attendees of Sustainable Cherry Hill’s “Go Green/Get Green – the ABC’s of a Home Energy Audit” seminar, we thank you for your participation.  For everyone, we want  to remind you that you can still take part in the NJ Clean Energy Program Energy Audit and submit any planned improvements through all of 2010; the program has been ectended through December 31, 2010. Following your audit you must submit any planned improvements (e.g., insulation, heating, air conditioning, hot water replacement) to the New Jersey Clean Energy Program.

But that’s Step 3.  Step 1, as you’ll recall, is getting a $300 home energy audit through NJCEP at the discounted price of $125.  It can take up to eight weeks to get through all three steps, so if you haven’t already scheduled your audit, you’ll want to act soon.  Just call 866-NJSMART, or contact one of our program sponsors*, or visit the NJCEP website to locate another contractor in our area.

Insider tip:  Follow up with the contractor who conducts your audit to make sure he/she submits the NJCEP paperwork so you will receive the coupon for 10 free compact fluorescent light bulbs.  Even if you do nothing else, the information you receive from the audit and the compact fluorescent light bulbs are a worthwhile investment in your home’s health, safety and sustainability.

So, if you are one of the 89% surveyed who indicated you were more likely to take action because of what you learned at the seminar, and/or one of the 91% who found it all very interesting, it’s time to pick up the phone!

For additional information on the program, see www.njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/home-performance-energy-star/benefits-and-incentives.

To stay up-to-date on SCH’s many happenings, visit www.SustainableCherryHill.org .

View Power Point Presentation from 9/30/09 program here: SCH-Energy Audits

Support your health, local farmers & Camden with a CSA share!

Youth gardeners in Waterfront South Camden

The time has come… its time to sign-up for the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) hosted by The Center for Environmental Transformation in collaboration with Greensgrow Farm here in Waterfront South at our Youth-led Farmers Market just off the corner of Broadway & Ferry in Camden.

Fridays 4-7pm, May-November

Sign up here.

If you’d like to know more about what a CSA is, and why it supports the local economy of Camden, and farmers from all over the region, take a look at the information below. Basically you pay money upfront to become a member of the community that comes to pick-up produce:

Greensgrow CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in Camden:

Did you know that the average American dinner has traveled 1,700 miles from the farm to the dinner table? Want to eat healthy fruits and vegetables from within a 150 mile radius? Then considering joining the Waterfront South CSA. What is CSA?- It stands for Community Supported Agriculture and has become an innovative model in sustainable agriculture. When a group of people join as members they come every week to the farmstand to pick up their share of what was grown by local farmers. The fruits, vegetables, and a protein are in your share every week. This helps the farmers to stay connected with you, the consumer, throughout the growing season. In the share each week, members, will receive a seasonal assortment of six to eight locally grown, fresh vegetables, and two types of fruits from a local orchard, a locally made cheese, and the choice of another dairy/protein option: yogurt, butter, one dozen eggs, seitan or tofu. In the share throughout the season, sometimes you’ll receive a variety of locally prepared foods like a loaf of fresh baked bread, apple cider, honey, fresh pasta, or dips and sauces all produced locally. Members can choose to receive a full share or a half share, which they pick once a week or every other week. Some smaller families have chosen to join with their neighbors, sharing a full or half share.

Why in Camden?

The CSA will take place at the Center For Environmental Transformation at Broadway and Ferry every Friday from May- November at the Waterfront South Farmers Market. Through hosting the CSA the Center and Greensgrow will continue to be able to make healthy food accessible at an affordable cost to all Camden residents in 8 different neighborhoods. The Center’s Farmstand is youth lead, growing over 2,000 pounds of organic heirloom produce each year, in a city with only one grocery store. Your support of this CSA and Farmstand help to build the local economy in Camden as well supporting a wide variety of local farmers within a 150 mile radius.

An example share of a week in August will include:

-12 dozen organic eggs

-one piece swiss

5 oz. organic spring mix

1 bunch parsley

-2 lbs. peaches

2 red bell peppers

2 lbs. tomatoes

2 lbs squash

2 lb. red potatoes

1 sugar baby watermelon

2 slicing cucumbers

for the weekly cost of $32.30/ week

February 19, 2012   Posted in: News, Uncategorized  No Comments

Something for everyone in our winter/spring line-up!

Sustainable Cherry Hill Calendar of Events (pdf here) :

Feb 26, 2-5pm: “How do we respond to diversity in our communities, work places, economy and world?” Urban Promise Sanctuary http://conta.cc/diverseworld

March 10,10am-1pm: Dash for Trash-Delaware River Cleanup Blitz with AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors; Cooper River Park http://conta.cc/riverblitz

March 28, 7-9pm: Updating the Suburban Lawn for Sustainability & Health at Cherry Hill Library http://conta.cc/healthylawn

March 29, 8am-1pm: PA/NJ Sustainability Symposium at The Franklin Institute http://conta.cc/njpass

April 28, 10am-3pm: Art Blooms Earth Festival at Croft Farm in Cherry Hill http://conta.cc/artbloomsearthfest

May 1, 7:45-9:30am: Green Your Bottom Line- Business breakfast at Cafe Aldo Lamberti with Camden County Regional Chamber of Commerce; check our website for emerging details

May 11, evening & May 12, morning: All Community Sustainable Cherry Hill Retreat; check our website for emerging details

May 19: Energy Efficient Car Show with It’s in Our Power at The Silver Diner; check our website for emerging details

And don’t forget to join us for Green Drinks on the first Wednesday of every month from 6-8pm at PJ Whelihans to meet and network with others thinking about sustainability in South Jersey!

Check out www.sustainablecherryhill.org for details about these events, our community driven task forces and more!

LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @sojerseygreen!

SCH LogoA 501c3 non-profit with the mission of bringing people together

to build a sustainable South Jersey

February 18, 2012   Posted in: Events, Featured  No Comments

Updating the Suburban Lawn for Sustainability & Health

The tradition of the large lawn as a hallmark of suburbia results in the wasting of precious resources, like water and gas. It taints our outdoor living space and community with hazardous chemicals that pollute our soil and groundwater.

How can you make your yard healthier and more sustainable?

ButterflyJoin us on Wednesday, March 28, 7-9pm at The Cherry Hill Library for an evening of ideas and practical information on how to reduce the size of your lawn and increase the beauty of the remaining lawn by caring for it without the use of hazardous chemicals. We will discuss design ideas and plant selections that will assist you in changing your resource-hungry lawn into a healthier, more sustainable yard.

Cut it out!

Reduce your lawn, gas and  water consumption

Eliminate toxic chemicals that place your family and community at risk

Incorporate…

Native plants that know how to live with minimal care

Habitats for bees, butterflies, wildlife

Herb and vegetable gardens to decrease your food bill

Help us reinvent the outdated traditional lawn one yard at a time!

Speakers:

Aimee Bentley, Horticulturist for Hire

Sarah Deppa, Community Member

Barry Draycott, Tech Terra Organics

There is no fee for this program, but registration is required.

For more information, please contact Lori Braunstein at lori.braunstein@sustainablecherryhill.org/609.238.3449

Sponsored by: The Cherry Hill Library and Sustainable Cherry Hill’s Green Health/Garden Task Forces

February 9, 2012   Posted in: Events, News  No Comments

PA/NJ Sustainability Symposium at The Franklin Institute

PA/NJ SS Logo

Thursday March 29, 2012

Breakfast/Registration: 7:30am

Program: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Workshop led by students from Science Leadership Academy 1:30 to 3:30 PM

Where:

The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Register here.

Now in its second year, this event brings together industry, university and community leaders to share best practices, ask challenging questions and provide cutting edge information about sustainability in the Delaware Valley.

Nationally Acclaimed Keynote Speakers:

  • Welcome by Brandywine Realty Trust
  • Introductory comments by Troy Collins, Senior Vice-President of The Franklin Institute
  • Welcome from Mayor Michael A. Nutter discussing the highly successful Philly Green Works program
  • Roger Platt, Executive Vice President of the US Green Building Council USGBC Logo
  • Henry H. Chamberlain, President and CEO of BOMA International (Building Owners and Management Association) 

15 Panel Discussions:

  • Covering diverse topics, such as energy management systems, community engagement, building retrofits, starting a sustainable business, electric cars, LEED/Energy Star issues and more.
  • Panelists include Kevin Kampschroer, Director of High Energy Buildings for GSA; Judy Wicks, Founder of BALLE;  Rob Watson, a founder of LEED; Leisha John, Americas Director of Sustainability at Ernst and Young; Audrey Zibelman, CEO of Viridity and other industry and thought leaders
  • Detailed list of Detailed Agenda with Speakers/Panelists and Panel Grid

Stay for the afternoon:

  • Join students from the Philadelphia School District enrolled in The Franklin Institute’s  Science Leadership Academy as they lead a session on sustainability

Event Co-Chairs:

Lori Braunstein
Executive Director
Sustainable Cherry Hill
Lori.Braunstein@sustainablecherryhill.org

Brad A. Molotsky
EVP and General Counsel
Brandywine Realty Trust
Brad.Molotsky@bdnreit.com

SCH LogoBrandywine Realty Logo

“Lightning Bolt” Level Sponsors:

UPS LogoXPEDX LogoTremco Logo

“Kite” Level Sponsors:

Blue Sky Power, LLC / Diversey, Inc / Jones Lang LaSalle / Kitchen & Associates / MaGrann Associates Manko, Gold, Katcher, Fox, LLP / PPL Electric Utilities / SorinRoyerCooper, LLC / Spiezle Group             Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP / U-Go Stations / Waste Management

“Key” Level Sponsors:

Faithful & Gould / Sustainability Dashboard Tools LLC

Industry Partners:

ULI LogoBOMA LogoSJDC LogoDVGBC LogoUSGBC NJ Logo Sustainable Jersey LogoNAIOP LogoSBN Logo

February 7, 2012   Posted in: Events, News  One Comment

Camden County Freedom Medal Winner Brings Sustainability Education to South Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information contact:

Brenda Jorett, communications director for SCH

Brenda@brendajorett.com

What’s Next Productions, LLC

Freeholder, Jeffrey Nash, SCH's Lori Braunstein and County Clerk, Joe Ripa

Pennsauken, NJ – Lori Braunstein, founder and executive director of Sustainable Cherry Hill (SCH) is one of 14 recipients of the 2012 Camden County Freedom Medal. Braunstein and all of the Freedom Medal recipients have made indelible and selfless contributions to communities throughout Camden County.

Through Braunstein’s expertise and leadership, hundreds of people have taken steps to make sustainability an active part of their lives in an effort to reduce their impact on the planet.  Braunstein was nominated for the Freedom Medal by Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash who said of Braunstein, “No one is more of a motivator for change for and to the community than my friend, Lori Braunstein. The community would not be what it is without her service and dedication.”

Braunstein, 49, has led SCH since she founded the organization in 2007. The grassroots, non-profit group has grown to include many residents and business leaders from throughout Cherry Hill and other communities. SCH has become a well-respected organization under Braunstein’s leadership by helping educate citizens about issues affecting the environment. She has been instrumental in the sustainability efforts of Cherry Hill Township, the Cherry Hill School District and Camden County.

“Serving one’s community is something that anyone can do, no matter your education, income level or age,” says Braunstein. “ It is an honor to receive this recognition in the company of so many inspirational people.”

The Cherry Hill resident, family, friends and supporters were among those attending the annual awards dinner during a week that honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Junior. Camden County has been awarding the Freedom Medal since 2001 to honor citizens who serve others in many ways. Braunstein also received proclamations honoring her service to the community from Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn, the township council and from the New Jersey state legislature.

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Courier Post:  CamCo honorees echo King’s spirit

See more photos from the event here.

January 23, 2012   Posted in: News, Uncategorized  No Comments


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