Introducing Air Aware- A Community Air Quality Education Program

goHunterdon is pleased to announce the launch of Air Aware, our new community outdoor air quality education program!

The transportation sector accounts for 37 percent of the New Jersey’s net greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest emissions source in the state, according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

Air Aware explores the connection between transportation and the air we breathe.

The program is designed for students in grades 4-9 as well as community groups of all ages. Air Aware offers engaging educational lessons, hands-on awareness activities, and opportunities for community action to improve outdoor air quality.

This program is offered free of charge.

Trained goHunterdon staff are available to present lessons in classrooms, after school clubs, for Green Teams, or in community settings. The program can be delivered through an individual lesson or a sequence of lessons and progressive activities, as requested. Learn more about how to bring Air Aware to your school or community today. Visit https://gohunterdon.org/sustainable-hunterdon/air-quality or contact Jodi Bettermann, Sustainable Hunterdon Specialist, jbettermann@gohunterdon.org.

RFIS Students Explore Air Quality with Support from goHunterdon

Reading-Flemington Intermediate School (RFIS) students are taking a closer look at outdoor air quality thanks to an ongoing partnership with goHunterdon and sixth-grade teacher Lisa Coster.

Jodi Bettermann, Sustainable Hunterdon Specialist at goHunterdon, recently met with RFIS Student Council members to talk about air quality, its effects on human health, and how everyday transportation choices play a role in air pollution.

During her visit, students participated in a hands-on activity to observe particulate matter in the air. They placed petroleum jelly-coated index cards around the school grounds, left them out for a week, and then examined the collected particles to understand what’s in the air they breathe.

This simple but effective experiment served as a visual introduction to air pollution and laid the groundwork for a larger initiative. In December, an outdoor PurpleAir air quality sensor was installed at the school, providing real-time data through the PurpleAir network and the U.S. EPA’s PM2.5 air quality map.

Students will analyze the sensor data and collaborate with goHunterdon to develop strategies to improve local air quality. These may include awareness campaigns about clean air, anti-idling efforts, and documentation of their findings and actions.

The project builds on environmental work started by Mrs. Coster’s students last year as part of the GLOBE Program, a nationwide initiative that equips educators with tools to teach Earth science and scientific observation. Their project, “Does car idling in rural New Jersey affect air quality?”, earned a “Spirit Award” at the GLOBE Northeast Student Research Symposium.

Committed to advocating for cleaner air, RFIS students plan to use the collected data to participate in the EPA’s Air Quality Flag Program and to support the school’s application for Sustainable Jersey certification.

For more information about goHunterdon’s Air Quality Programs, https://gohunterdon.org/sustainable-hunterdon/air-quality/

Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Gathering Focuses on Electric Vehicle Charging

ShopRite of Flemington recently hosted members of the Sustainable Hunterdon Hub for a field visit and information session about their experience installing Electrify America electric vehicle charging stations.

Mr. Joe Colallilo, President of ShopRite of Hunterdon County Inc., and Andrew Pittel, Manager of Real Estate at Wakefern Food Corporation, along with Luke Zabrowsky, Project Manager for Electrify America, discussed the process of installing the Level 3 DC Fast Charging stations, which can charge a vehicle in about 20 minutes.

Continue reading “Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Gathering Focuses on Electric Vehicle Charging”

Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Focuses on Collaboration

Municipal and school Green Team representatives from across Hunterdon County convened recently as members of the Sustainable Hunterdon Hub to continue to explore opportunities to collaborate in their efforts to achieve certification under the statewide Sustainable Jersey program.

Attendees included representatives from Town of Clinton, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, High Bridge Borough, Kingwood Township, Raritan Township, Readington Township, and Tewksbury Township. Continue reading “Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Focuses on Collaboration”

Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Offers Forum for Local Green Teams

goHunterdon provides free assistance to Hunterdon municipalities and schools seeking certification under the statewide Sustainable Jersey program. goHunterdon also coordinates the Sustainable Hunterdon Hub, a forum for municipal green team representatives interested in promoting sustainability within Hunterdon County. “Many of the Actions that municipalities and schools can pursue under the Sustainable Jersey program are complementary to goHunterdon’s mission, particularly the Actions related to Land Use and Transportation, Health and Wellness, and Community Sustainability,” says Tara Shepherd, goHunterdon Executive Director. Continue reading “Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Offers Forum for Local Green Teams”

Electric Vehicle Adoption Focus of Upcoming Sustainable Hunterdon Hub Event

The Sustainable Hunterdon Municipal Hub, facilitated by goHunterdon, will kick off 2023 with a meeting on January 18, 2023 from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. at Stangl Hall in Flemington.

The Sustainable Hunterdon Hub provides a forum for networking, information sharing, and collaboration among local Green Teams and Environmental Commissions participating in the statewide Sustainable Jersey program.

The kick off meeting will begin with socializing and networking followed by a moderated panel discussion, “Harnessing Electric Vehicle Actions for Sustainable Jersey Certification”

Sustainable Jersey has developed six action items that may be undertaken by municipalities to advance local electric vehicle adoption as part of the statewide certification process.

Panelists will include representatives of Sustainable Jersey, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Electric Vehicle Program, NJ Electric Vehicle Association, and Jersey Central Power & Light/First Energy Corporation.

For more information about the January 18th kick off meeting and to RSVP: https://conta.cc/3GdflYi

Breakfast Talk Will Focus on Model Electric Vehicle Ordinance

goHunterdon and the Hunterdon County Department of Planning and Land Use will host a virtual “Breakfast Talk” on New Jersey’s Model Statewide Electric Vehicle (EV) Municipal Ordinance and how Hunterdon municipalities can promote electric vehicle adoption.   The session will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 at 9 a.m. via Zoom. Continue reading “Breakfast Talk Will Focus on Model Electric Vehicle Ordinance”

Sustainable Hunterdon Supports Municipal Efforts

Sustainable Hunterdon Initiative Supports Municipal Certification Efforts

goHunterdon’s “Sustainable Hunterdon” initiative provides free assistance to Hunterdon municipalities and schools seeking certification under the statewide Sustainable Jersey program. Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit organization that provides tools, training, financial incentives and certification recognition in support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Continue reading “Sustainable Hunterdon Supports Municipal Efforts”

Who to Contact?
If you have questions about Introducing Air Aware- A Community Air Quality Education Program, please contact:
goHunterdon
jeff@gohunterdon.org
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