Sustainable Jersey Certification Report
Download PDF VersionThis is the Sustainable Jersey Certification Report of Wildwood Crest Boro, a Sustainable Jersey bronze certified applicant.
Wildwood Crest Boro was certified on October 21, 2022 with 160 points. Listed below is information regarding Wildwood Crest Boro’s Sustainable Jersey efforts and materials associated with the applicant’s certified actions.
Contact Information
The designated Sustainable Jersey contact for Wildwood Crest Boro is:
| Name: | Constance Mahon |
|---|---|
| Title/Position: | Borough Administrator / Administration |
| Address: | 6101 Pacific Avenue Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260 |
| Phone: | 609-729-8041 |
Actions Implemented
Each approved action and supporting documentation for which Wildwood Crest Boro was approved for in 2022 appears below. Note: Standards for the actions below may have changed and the documentation listed may no longer satisfy requirements for that action.
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Animals in the Community
Animals in the Community Education *Retired 12/31/23*
10 PointsProgram Summary: The Borough of Wildwood Crest has worked together to reduce many struggles to environmentally educate our seashore community regarding animals and how important it is for all of us to work together to protect our state’s animals from inhumane treatment, improve the requirements of anti-cruelty laws, and address the issues of unwanted and euthanized animals here in our town. We feel we have achieved this by updating our Borough Codes, creating waste management stations, hosting free marine science programs, posting webpages, setting up turtle crossing signages, and handing out articles to educate our children and adults in our community. Our summer focus however is educating the public through our beach program with Miss Ocean. Miss Ocean holds classes twice a week throughout the summer season. This years meetings dates ran from June 21-Aug 25, 2022. Miss Ocean, Danielle DeNofa, who is an ocean literacy educator, works with the Wildwood Crest Recreation Department to bring Marine Science awareness to children and adults. Each day would bring an average of at least 40 children and adults to her learning cart, and it's estimated she will reach approximately 800-1,000 people this summer with her content. Miss Ocean's focus is on the local sandy barrier shore ecosystem, including species descriptions, identifications and interactions. She follows a curriculum and has visuals for her classes. The borough of Wildwood Crest also promotes her classes each week on their social media pages. Attached are a few links for more information. https://wildwoodcrest.org/recreation.php https://wildwoodcrest.org/images/Crest%20to%20host%20marine%20science%20program%20on%20beach%202022.pdf Miss Ocean Live Video Link on the WWC Recreation Department Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=notif&v=424779559679310¬if_id=1659628827786530¬if_t=live_video_explicit
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Arts & Creative Culture
Establish a Creative Team
10 PointsProgram Summary: On April 28, 2021, the governing authority of the Borough of Wildwood Crest, passed a resolution establishing a Creative Arts Council of local volunteer citizenry to serve as an advisory body to the borough on matters concerning the aesthetic nature of public design, development, and construction, to include buildings, parks, and art works, and in specific to by the planning, organizing, coordinating and executive agent for proposed annual “Create in the Crest” event whereby local artists of all stripe can engage the public—of all ages—with day-long workshops on the various disciplines of art and creative crafts. This resolution was unanimously adopted and funding from the borough’s recreation budget were identified as a possible source for funding of the latter. The resolution called for the “seeding” of this council with two Green Team volunteer members and three other volunteer residents of the borough at large. These appointments will be made in a separate action pending. The impact of this action on the community will be to energize and engage public knowledge, enthusiasm, and artistic creativity in the plans and development of future public projects. Projects thus far completed by the newly formed Creative Arts Council have been a Holiday sand sculpture and tree decorating on the beach, and an inaugural Create in the Crest Arts Fest scheduled for June 18, 2022. This is to encourage the Arts in the community by offering educational classes to the public for artists to showcase and teach their art. An art installation by students in the elementary school was also painted to encourage people walking on the Crest bike to practice healthy habits of mind and body. Monthly meeting are posted and the council meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Borough Hall. The public is invited to all meetings. https://wildwoodcrest.org/creativeartscouncil.php
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Community Partnership & Outreach
Create Green Team
10 PointsBronze Required Silver RequiredProgram Summary: The Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Wildwood Crest created the Green Team by resolution 83-18 adopted February 21, 2018, by resolution 149-18 appointed nine members of the community to the team. Documentation attached. As is described more comprehensively in the documents and the narrative history portion of this submission, the Wildwood Crest’s Green Team was formed by municipal resolution in early 2018. It supplanted the previously working “Environmental Commission,” thereby. It held its first meeting on April 18, 2018, where it organized, electing a chairperson and deputy chairperson. It also received an orientation from the mayor and municipal administrator. Four major functions were underscored: (1) advise the governing authority on all referred matters for its consideration; (2) be the focal point for Sustainable Jersey initiatives and tasks; (3) serve as the volunteer proponent for the Community Forestry Management Plan; and (4) act as the environmental conscience of the borough. At the same time it was charged with assisting the borough to conceptualize, initiate, and communicate with the public the borough’s strategic vision of sustainability, conservation, and equity.The Green Team consistently has met monthly thereafter on the fourth Wednesday of each month in accordance with NJ P.L. 1976 Sunshine Act, open to the public, guided by a pre-established agenda, and recording minutes of principal actions and discussions for public awareness and future reference.Its principal activities are described in greater detail in the historical document submission to this task; however, they are summarized in the following main categories: research specific questions from the municipality for advice and recommendation; host periodic subject matter expert visits to its meetings to “get smart” on the issues relative to the borough’s strategic vision and the scope of the team’s charter; initiate proposals for resolutions and ordinances germane to the team’s charter and the borough’s needs; undergo relevant training; and seek relevant, appropriate grants; set an example to the public at all times in various public venues; and coordinate and collaborate with the Sustainable Jersey program.
Community Education & Outreach
15 PointsProgram Summary: The Borough of Wildwood Crest adopted Love Blue Inc. in 2020, an organization that conserves our oceans/beaches through community outreach & organized beach cleanups. Organized beach cleanups are held monthly throughout the winter & every week in the summer. This organization's work allows for the community to get involved & spread awareness about the pollution crisis that is threatening our oceans around the world. All equipment & supplies needed to conduct the cleanup is provided by the organization. We offer events & giveaway opportunities to make our cleanups more eventful for our volunteers. Throughout the summer months clean-ups meet weekly on Sunday evenings. Love Blue offers a public cleanup station which is on Rambler Road. This allows for beach users to take a bucket & conduct a beach cleanup on their own time. We have information posted on the station where they can find out more information about our organization & how to get involved. Our community uses Instagram & our Wildwood Crest Chapter Facebook Page to communicate with volunteers & community members, keeping them up to date on our events/activities. They can also share ideas & connect with green team members to get even further involved in our community’s efforts. Our presence through social media helps provide opportunities for community members who can’t make it to our cleanups. At all cleanups there is an opening and closing speech about the effects of plastic pollution on our beaches & local marine life. There is a display table and tent set up to provide more information on the Love Blue website (LoveBlueinc.org) and social media to learn more. There are also display items for volunteers to look at to help further show the effects of ocean pollution. Educational topics include: Update on our cleanup statistics, explanation of Worldwide pollution crisis, the effect the pollution crisis has on our oceans and marine life, how Love Blue volunteers are making a difference, and talks about the local marine life that is affected by ocean pollution.
Green Challenges
10 PointsProgram Summary: In pursuit of Sustainable Jersey certification in 2022, the Wildwood Crest Green Team elected to initiate the “Green Challenges” subtask of Action Task 4. Community Partnership and Outreach, specifically soliciting community participation in a Go Green Challenge that would raise awareness of important sustainability, environmental, and conservation practices and habits, identified in its current CFMP and in the Sustainable Jersey Master Task Matrix. A key rationale was to build upon a highly successful community-wide recyclable plastic bag collection program—with five appointed municipal collection points serviced routinely by Green Team volunteers— that had been conducted over the past two + years, the borough being awarded two park benches made from reprocessed plastic bags by the Tex Corporation of South Carolina or one bench for every 500 lbs. collected. Planning for the Go Green Challenge pledge campaign began in the summer of 2021, with implementation scheduled for 2022-23. A coordinated and staffed pledge sheet, including the borough’s administrator and mayor’s formal approval, was developed in time for production by municipal staff for the local, annual Seafarer’s Festival in mid-October 2021. The Green Team volunteer-staffed its venue tent with the specific purpose to solicit signature pledges for its Sustainable Jersey Green Challenge Program reviewed with each visitor and passersby. Per the 2020 Census, the borough has 4018 full-time year-round residents. The aim was to secure a minimum of 2.5% of these residents’ signatures per Sustainable Jersey task criteria. That day and in subsequent efforts since, the Team has collected and possesses 139 pledge sheets signed by local residents. This represents a 3.5 % of the 2020 census population. This goal accomplishment was reported at the March 2022 monthly Green Team meeting to be publicized in an authorized press release and posted to the municipal webpage.
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Energy
Energy Tracking & Management
20 PointsBronze Priority Silver PriorityProgram Summary: For the first 10 points: The account for the City of Wildwood Crest was created on the platform Energy Star Portfolio Management in which as it is shown on the evidence, the document - Building Portfolio- was filled with the mandatory information Name, Address, Sq Footage, year built, occupancy, etc. In addition, the Usage(kWh), Cost, Demand(kW) Start Date, and end date were uploaded for 24 months of Electric Energy and Natural Gas for all buildings. For the additional 10 points (total 20 points): The benchmark considering the national reference on the ESPM platform is generated and showed on the attached documentation Statement of Energy Performance for each building. This benchmark report provides baseline energy consumption metrics so that Wildwood Crest can track adequately how and where they will generate an impact on the energy consumption as Energy Efficiency upgrades or Behavioral change initiatives. It will also allow the City to compare their energy usage to national medians to evaluate whether they are using higher amounts of energy, in turn helping them further promote energy efficiency measures. For implementing a strategy for ongoing Tracking and Management, the process of training to routinely entering usage data from the utility bill into the Energy Star Portfolio Management was done with a stakeholder from Wildwood Crest city – Francine Springer. All information is uploaded to the Energy STAR Portfolio Management - ESPM system (link clicking on the Hyperlink). It is updated monthly. The ESPM account is now shared with Sustainable Jersey. Alldrin Uriol EDF Fellow Support to Wildwood Crest June-August 2021 worked with the municipality of Wildwood Crest business office, business administrator and members of the Green Team to complete this action.
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Health & Wellness
Building Healthier Communities
25 PointsProgram Summary: As part of the Mayor's Wellness Campaign and in an effort to promote a healthier community, the Borough of Wildwood Crest offers programs for residents and visitors which include a social component for community support and recreation. Additionally, most programs are designed to support a healthier lifestyle to combat the stressors associated with disease. For several years, Wildwood Crest has offered a variety of fitness classes, walks, runs bike rides, food and clothing drives. We also held various virtual education seminars featuring mindfulness and meditation as well as healthy eating habits seminars for our employees. Our Public Works Department offered a volunteer-based snow removal program to assist physically disabled and senior citizen residents. We offered local COVID testing as well as flu and COVID vaccinations in conjunction with Cape May County’s Health Department. We have held fund raising events to raise awareness for breast cancer by selling t-shirts and hold beach sweeps to encourage outdoor activity while promoting a cleaner environment with Clean Ocean Action. The Borough was hailed as Mayor’s Wellness Campaign Healthy Town for 2 years in a row! Our goal is all encompassing approach to a healthy community in mind and spirit as well as our health. designed for the senior population and is designed to get them fit, healthy and connect with others for community support. We carefully design our programs to meet the social and health goals of our seniors all the way down to our youngest residents and visitors. The Mayor’s Wellness Campaign hosted an Evening of Line Dancing which attracted 44 senior dancers. We also redesigned our tennis courts to allow for Pickleball to encourage senior citizens participation. Our parks have been redesigned to include two (2) outdoor fitness centers, a spray-ground and playgrounds for all ages. The Borough’s tennis courts were redesigned to allow for Pickleball to encourage senior citizens participation and our Summer Pier Playmates Camp was reinstated providing an opportunity for inexpensive childcare with community and socialization, a necessary component for mental health. The Borough’s Crest Concierge mobile unit played an active role on the beach this summer to alert the public of our smoke free beach policy and a free summer marine science class served as a vehicle to help educate residents and visitors on the importance of understanding and protecting nature and our environment. Our popular community pool was reopened this year and provided a safe venue to engage in a non-weight bearing activity, helps build cardiovascular fitness and body endurance and strength.
Safe Routes to School
10 PointsProgram Summary: Wildwood Crest Safer Routes to School 2022 Description of Implementation: The Borough of Wildwood Crest in conjunction with Crest Memorial School have implemented a variety of actions to promote Safer Routes to School (SRTS). A SRTS team has been formed and involves a variety of key stakeholders in the community. The SRTS team has met with the Parent Teacher Connection at the school to plan and discuss programs and projects that would support our mission. During the month of May, students, parents, and staff are being encouraged to walk, bike, or use alternative means of transportation to travel to school. Students have received presentations from the Wildwood Crest Police Department (WCPD) on walking and bike safety. The culminating event is taking place on Friday, May 20th for National Bike to School Day. Students, families, and staff will be participating in a bike train led by Wildwood Crest’s Mayor and Commissioners. The WCPD will be stationed along the route to ensure bike safety. There will be a raffle for anyone who participated in the event. On August 3rd, our Police Traffic Safety Officer will attend the Train the Trainer Program and turn-key the training to our local crossing guards. Looking ahead to the 2022-2023 school year, the SRTS team will encourage walking, biking, or riding to school during the month of October and will plan an additional event on October 5th for National Walk to School Day. Safer Routes to School Team Members Joseph Franco, Deputy Mayor of Wildwood Crest and SRTS Champion David Del Conte, Crest Memorial School Superintendent James Robert Mulholland, Detective Sergeant Wildwood Crest Police Department Tracey Blanda, School Board Member Erin Hart Morey, PTC President Kelly Franco, Teacher and Community Member Carmen Cusella, Parent and Creative Arts Council Member Denise Muroni, Parent and Business Owner
Tobacco Free Community
5 PointsProgram Summary: The Borough of Wildwood Crest takes smoking very serious for the residents and summer guests alike. We are very proud of our beaches, playgrounds, sports complexes, parks and wellness campaigns. Smoking has been considered a recreational habit or casual thing to do, as well as an addiction. Our community is called home to many family-oriented homes with children who have adopted the respect of their health and bodies from a young age. Our community offers summer health programs that are run by the beach patrol and recreation departments to promote health and fitness and keep the children on a safe, heart healthy path. We offer swim programs to children and adults alike. “No Smoking” signs on all our public properties and buildings to back up what we are teaching. We have adopted a 100% No Smoking ban on our most beautiful beaches and all public parks and playgrounds and we stand firm and proud of this ordinance. We want our locals and summer visitors to know that they are investing their time in a community that is health minded and has their best and utmost lifestyle in mind. With our efforts, we have local establishments that have joined in and banned smoking on their sites. There has been no resistance to this ban, and everyone is very proud to do their part to help with the campaign. Our Mayor’s Wellness Campaign has been ongoing and gets bigger and better with every event. We have an organization that comes into our town once a year and offers a community race for all ages. Literally, hundreds and hundreds of participants join in and have the time of their lives. The promotion of health and good lifestyle habits is what Wildwood Crest is all about.
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Natural Resources
Community Forestry Management Plan & NJUCF Accreditation
20 PointsProgram Summary: In cooperation with the Lomax Group the Borough Community Forestry Management has been certified and implemented. Green Team members are working with an employee in the DPW to continually update the tree inventory and maintain our trees and plantings. Planting trees in the curb apron, using native plantings and natural fertilizers and pesticides is actively encouraged.
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Waste Management
Prescription Drug Safety & Disposal
10 PointsBronze Priority Silver PriorityProgram Summary: The Wildwood Crest Police Department participates in two Prescription Drug Safety and Disposal Programs. We currently participate in the DEA’s National Take-Back Days and we are also partnered with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Project Medicine Drop. On January 8, 2016, we inquired with the NJ Attorney General’s Office about participation in Project Medicine Drop. We were accepted into the program on June 29, 2016 and have been active participants in this program since that time. I have attached documents that show our acceptance into the Project Medicine Drop program, proof of our participation in both the DEA’s National Take-Back Days and Project Medicine Drop, collection reports to the NJ Attorney General’s Office and the DEA, informational and educational social media posts, as well as a description of Project Medicine Drop that is and has been on the Wildwood Crest Police Department website (wildwoodcrestpolice.org). The Wildwood Crest Police Department, partnered with the DEA and NJ Attorney General’s Office, work hard to prevent the diversion, misuse, and abuse of prescription drugs. By providing a safe and secure location for our citizens and visitors to dispose of old or unwanted prescription medications and helping to educate the public on the dangers of prescription drug diversion, we are able to help prevent the misuse of these medications and safely dispose of them. Information about the 365 days prescription drop off can be found on the Wildwood Crest Police Department Website http://www.wildwoodcrestpolice.org/project-medicine-drop-box.html
Community Paper Shredding Day
5 PointsProgram Summary: Community Shredding Day SJ 2022 Application The Borough of Wildwood Crest sponsors a town wide paper shredding day twice a year. Two paper shredding events were held in 2021; April 17, 2021 and October 23, 2021. Two events are scheduled for 2022; May 7, 2022 and October 22, 2022. The spring dates coincide with the Borough Wide resident Yard Sale and the Fall shredding event is held the same day as the Borough sponsored beach sweep. The Borough promotes these events in a number of ways. They are advertised on the Borough website, social media announcements are put out through our public information officer. Local papers will advertise it, and Clean Communities and Clean Ocean Action also provide some promotion. Data is available for the 2021 events. Data for the 2022 events will be available after submission of the Sustainable Jersey Application. April 17, 2021 – Approximately 25-40 people. 1.2-1.5 tons of shredding material October 23, 2021 – Approximately 30-45 people. 1.3-1.8 tons of shredding material. May 7, 2022 - Approximately
Non-Mandated Materials Recycling
10 PointsProgram Summary: The Borough of Wildwood Crest has developed an official Green Team. One focus of the team was to implement a reusable bag program. We partnered with the Trex company to collect plastic bags around the Borough. Recycled boxes were placed around the Borough for residents and visitors to dispose of their varied plastic bags at the following locations: Von Savage Pool, Wildwood Crest Fire Department, Crest Pier Recreation Center, Wildwood Ambulance Corps and the Wildwood Crest Borough Hall. Green Team members would collect the bags from those locations then take them to the local Acme Supermarket for weight totals. Once a five-hundred- pound amount was reached, Trex was contacted for a new bench to be created and delivered to the Borough. Public Works department placed our first bench at Sunrise Park for folks to enjoy. The Green Team has since collected enough plastic bags to have two more benches. We let residents know we were collecting bags at some local events, such as Seafarer’s Festival and Arbor Day. Word was spread to residents and visitors due to all the foot traffic at each of the collection locations. The Green Team began collecting bags in 2020 and it is still ongoing, despite the NJ ban on plastic bags. During Co-Vid, the team put a temporary pause on collecting, however, residents continued to collect in their homes and once public locations reopened everyone brought in what they saved. Our 2022 Arbor Day event included our local elementary school children where students were given reusable bags to take home. Each Green Team bag was made from one recycled bottle (purchased through 4Imprint.com). The team created an “educational” sheet that is supplied at each event to educate the public on “recycling”. Our Seafarer’s event is where the team presented our “recycling” flyers for the first time and had the chance to speak with all visitors educating them regarding the plastic bag collection with Trex.