Boards and Commissions

Environmental Commission

Notes from the Commission

Pollinator Gardens

Our Pollinator Gardens bordering the Borough’s Community Garden on 13th Street did well this summer. They add a vivid splash of color along With the trees for a nice display.

However, with the earth’s rising temperatures and Extreme weather events, autumn might not look or feel as it has in the past. The onset of autumn has been delayed by an average of 1.4 days per decade.

Also, since the moon is closest to the earth this October and November, the highest tides of the year, called King tides, are expected. Have your family do some research!

Sustainability and Conservation in Folsom?

Our community might do more than you think and we’re trying to do more!    What we do every day makes a difference.

Folsom has a community garden.      
Pollinator gardens have just been planted.    

Some businesses in town have gone solar.       

Borough employees are environmental conscious.
But we need your help -   Recycle properly,  conserve water,   compost grass clippings to put in gardens but not vegetable gardens,  reduce plastic use,  use reusable bags when shopping (pick 1 up in a local store).
Let us know if you would consider attending a workshop on constructing a rain barrel!!

 

Tired of hearing about plastics yet?

cigarette butts

The negativity has become too routine.  So lets consider something positive.   The single most littered plastic in the ocean is cigarette butts.  Two million butts are littered every single minute and 1 in 10 reaches a body of water.  Yes they are made of plastic: cellulose acetate. Cigarette butts can be recycled!  Go to https://braingarden.ca

Dendroctonus frontalis – the Southern Pine Beetle

Bark holes caused by the Southern Pine Beetle

attacks most species of pine.  In our area it prefers pitch pine.  Indications of the pine beetle: needles turn yellow and possibly red and brown.  You can check for the beetles by inspecting the bark for holes.

 

Formed in the early nineties, the Folsom Environmental Commission has provided a number of services to our community.

A comprehensive Environmental Resources Inventory was written and published, defining all of the many natural resources and history of our community. The FEC has also sponsored the bi-annual environmental pledge program at Folsom School, which provides a simple pledge for all first and second graders to review and sign – all participants then receive a special commemorative tee shirt.

The FEC regularly contributes toward the funding required to sponsor the annual Folsom School 6th grade Stokes State Forest trip, sponsors subscriptions to National Wildlife Federation publications for the Folsom School library (Ranger Rick and Our Big Back Yard), provides contacts for education and outreach programs for Folsom School students through other local environmental organizations, and offers sponsorship for local roadside cleanups throughout the community. These have been Boy and Girl Scout groups as well as local citizens.

Environmental Commission volunteers help protect their community environment through education and various activities.  We inform residents on environmental issues and programs within our Borough.

The Folsom Environmental Commission is part of ANJEC, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.
The Commission:  

  • Promotes long term environmental planning within the Borough
  • Inventory and plan and preserve Open Space
  • Can report to ANJEC
  • Addresses aquifer recharge, conservation easement, impervious surface limits, and stream corridor protection

You do not need a background in science to join, just an interest in the environment of our community.
Meetings are currently scheduled to be held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Borough Hall.  7pm

Contact:  Greg Conway at gconway@folsomborough.com (609) 892-9299.

Public Assistance Needed

Spotted Lantern flyThe Spotted Lantern fly, an invasive species, has been spotted in Hammonton. We have contacted the NJDA who is dealing with the situation.  It is considered a pest planthopper which feeds on plants such as grapes and woody trees.  They lay eggs on the Tree of Heaven.  It is an inch long and half inch wide with black spots on its wings with red underneath.  It has been known to be poisonous to skin. 

If you can correctly identify this pest species  on your property please call the spotted lanternfly hotline:     1-833-223-2840.

2021 Folsom School Arbor Day Contest WinnersFolsom School Arbor Day Contest Winners.

Environmental Pledge Program
Folsom School First and Second Graders
Enviornmental Pledge Participants 2012 - Folsom Elementary School 1 and 2 graders.
Click here to view the Environmental Pledge