ewinggreenteam

Build Your Own Rain Barrel at Our October Workshop and Save Water and Money

September 26, 2024Leave a comment

We invite you to learn more about water conservation and how to harvest rainwater from your roof and divert it for on-site usage in the landscape at out October 12^th Rain Barrel Workshop. The Ewing Green Team, in partnership with The Watershed Institute in Pennington, will teach you how to build a rain barrel at the workshop. The program will be presented by Olivia Spildooren, River-Friendly Coordinator at The Watershed. The fee for the program is $25. We have obtained 20 free food grade barrels while has enabled us to offer this program at a bargain price. Registration is limited so be sure to register early. The workshop will run approximately 2 hours. Sign up here.

Event: Rain Barrel Workshop
Dates: Saturday, October 12th
Time: 9 a.m. – Noon
Location: Hollowbrook Community Center, Community Room, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing, NJ 08638
Cost: $25 per rain barrel
Pre-register: https://bit.ly/3T9f2oG

Installation of rain barrels in your yard will enable you to take an active role in reducing flooding and pollution in local waterways. Install rain barrels under your gutter’s downspout to harvest rainwater from your roof. Each rain barrel holds approximately 50 gallons. You can install them singly on hook them up in tandem to reserve even more water. Use the water to save money and save water when you irrigate your gardens with it during times of low rain. In case you miss the workshop or are unable to attend, rain barrels are also for sale at local garden centers for approximately $100, give or take.

Ewing Green Team to Host 10th Annual Community Fall Spin Bike Tour as a Part of Ewing Community Fest

July 25, 2024August 27, 2024Leave a comment

Mayor Bert Steinmann, the Ewing Green Team and the Ewing Community Affairs Department are pleased to announce the 10^th Annual Ewing Fall Spin bike tour, to be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, starting at 8:15am. The event will start and end at Campus Town at The College of New Jersey. All proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (T.A.S.K.).

Individuals or teams, ages 16 years and older are encouraged to register early. “We would love participants to sign up as individuals or come as a team of friends, family members or co-workers,” says EGT Member and Bike Tour Chairperson, Garry Keel. The Fall Spin registration fee is $15 for students ages 16 and older, $20 for adults (individuals 18 years or older) and $40 for a Family Plan (3 or more individuals living in the same household 16 years and older). All persons registering by September 14th will receive a T-shirt. Register through communitypass.net or call the recreation office at 609-883-1776 x 6202 for assistance. Day-of-event registration will begin at 7:45am.

Participants will enjoy a leisurely paced, 12-mile ride throughout Ewing Township neighborhoods. The tour will be escorted by Ewing Police, and rest stops and free bike inspections will be available.

The Ewing Green Team (www.ewinggreenteam.org) was established in 2009 by municipal resolution under the auspices of the Ewing Environmental Commission, and is part of the statewide Sustainable Jersey effort (www.sustainablejersey.com). The Ewing Green Team envisions a township that incorporates sustainability into the actions and decision-making processes of community members and municipal offices to create and maintain sustainable ways of living; builds strong and diverse economic opportunities; and cultivates a community that welcomes people from all walks of life.

Plant for Pollinators: National Pollinator Week (June 17 – 23, 2024)

June 18, 2024June 18, 2024Leave a comment

Every garden matters and can make a difference in our world of threatened ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. The Ewing Green Team created “Wild About Ewing” in 2018, an initiative in pursuit of certifying Ewing gardens with the National Wildlife Federation to support wildlife. Through this program, the Green Team encourages all Ewingites to create gardens that are more than just personal sanctuaries, but also refuges for birds, bees, toads, frogs, and many other small creatures with whom we share this world. Refuges where they can find a home that offers food, water, cover, a place to rear their young. Places that are free of unhealthy chemicals. If you are doing this, you are gardening for wildlife.

During National Pollinator Week we are reminded of the need to provide food and habitat for our threatened pollinators. These include bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, wasps, flies, and even the birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles that also assist with pollination chores. This need is critical because of the essential role these pollinators play in producing many crops. The sharp decline in their numbers is due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

Things You Can Do for Pollinators

Plant native plants (trees, shrubs, perennials, ground coves…) for pollinators. Use plants that provide nectar and pollen sources.
Eliminate or reduce the use of pesticides.
Provide a water source. Wildlife needs clean water to survive. It need not be large. Backyard ponds, bird baths, and puddles have immense value to creatures always looking for a clean, reliable source of water.
Plan out your garden to establish continuous bloom throughout the growing season so that there is food throughout the growing season.
Help pollinators to find your garden by creating large swaths of color of native or non-invasive plants.
Plant true native species. Avoid cultivars as they are bred for our pleasure, not that of our pollinators and other insect friends. Changing a native plant’s bloom period, color, fragrance, or flower shape could have serious detrimental effects on the hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife that may use that plant. Cultivars also lack the genetic diversity that will enable them to best adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Harsh weather and predators are constant threats to wildlife. Cover, such as rock or brush piles, evergreens, snags, and even man-made birdhouses and butterfly houses, all provide needed protection and places to nest. Pollinators and wildlife need wild areas.

If you too are alarmed about the extent of this crisis, we invite you to join us in being “Wild About Ewing” and gardening for pollinators this week and every week. To learn more, you can contact the Green Team at ewinggreenteam@gmail.com.

2024 Stream Cleanup Results

April 22, 2024Leave a comment

Just over a week ago on a cold and damp Saturday morning on April 13^th, the Green Team, Environmental Commission, and The Watershed Institute partnered to perform a cleanup of the Shabakunk Creek at Ewing’s Hollowbrook Community Center and its environs. This event was a part of a Stream Cleanup held every spring where volunteers from local municipalities come together to remove trash and debris from our local waterways to protect and preserve essential wildlife habitat, safeguard our water quality, help control flooding, and engage the citizenry in the beautification and care of our local environment.

This marks The Watershed’s 18th annual cleanup in local watersheds and the 5^th in which Ewing participated. Over the past decade, 8,700 enthusiastic volunteers have removed more than 152,000 pounds of trash from our communities.

Our haul this year totaled 1855 pounds of trash, removed by the 56 volunteers who braved the cold and drizzle. The most commonly found items included cardboard, glass bottles, and plastics. Special finds this year were air conditioner parts, a rusty bike, deer stand, lots of concrete (construction) waste, a mailbox, trash cans, a car bumper, bike crossing road sign, seed spreader, seat cushion, half of a ninja blender, a traffic cone, and chicken wire fence.

Ewing had the most pounds of trash collected for that first weekend of cleanups and we ranked 2^nd in the number of volunteers who braved the cold and rain. We thank everyone who so generously gave of their time at this event: local students, scout groups, corporate groups, families and, of course, our friends at The Watershed for organizing this once again and including us in this critical effort in watershed protection.

About The Watershed Institute

The Watershed Institute is a non-profit organization committed to keeping water clean, safe, and healthy. They wok to protect and restore Central New Jersey water and natural environment through conservation, advocacy, science, and education.

3rd Annual Ewing Restaurant Week Kicks Off This Saturday

April 9, 2024Leave a comment

2024 Restaurant Week April 13 – 21.

Mayor Bert Steinmann, Ewing Township Council, and the Ewing Green Team announce a week+ celebration of great dining opportunities in Ewing with our 3^rd annual Restaurant Week running from April 13^th – 21^st.

Ewing’s Restaurant Week is a week-long promotion bookended by two full weekends that features a dozen unique dining options in the community. Treat yourself to breakfast out, grab a quick lunch, enjoy a delicious dinner dining experience, or even just pick up a dessert or treat – our participating restaurants offer a variety of culinary options.

Restaurants will offer diners a variety of discounts, whether that be a small discount on a particular food item or a more robust pre-fixed price menu – encouraging Ewingites to ‘get a taste’ of what Ewing restaurants have to offer. Chefs will prepare delicious menus at mouthwatering prices! All costs are exclusive of tax, beverages, and gratuity. Be sure to check out in advance whether you need to mention “Restaurant Week” to receive your discount!

No tickets or special passes are needed. However, reservations are strongly recommended for those who choose to “dine in.” Contact individual restaurants to make your reservations. Specials for the week and restaurant contact information can be found at the bottom of the Restaurant Week page of ewingnj.org.

Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Ewing Councilwoman, has contacted many of our local restaurants in town regarding their potential participation in this event. She believes that it is possible that a few more restaurants will participate. We encourage any late applicants to register their restaurant and specials ASAP (Restaurant Week) to be included in this event that is sure to generate extra traffic at your establishment.

Mayor Bert Steinmann encourages everyone to come out and support the great restaurants in our community. “Ewing Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to visit your favorite establishment or discover a new one.”

The Ewing Green Team is excited to introduce this fun new way for people to try some new places or revisit an old favorite. We hope you take advantage of these special offers. What a great way to try something new and support local businesses at the same time. Bon Appetit!