EnviroPolitics Blog

EnviroPolitics Events Calendar

Make Martin Luther King Day a day on not a day off

Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy and is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

On Monday, January 20, Natural Lands will host 11 events to engage volunteers in an MLK Day of Service. Join us to nurture trees, remove invasive plants, take care of trails, and more. Projects vary, but good fun (and dirt) is guaranteed. Beginners welcome!

Volunteer—MLK Day for Nature
All events held 9:00-11:30 AM unless marked otherwise.

Binky Lee Preserve | Chester Springs, PA

Bryn Coed Preserve | Chester Springs, PA

ChesLen Preserve | Coatesville, PA

Crow’s Nest Preserve | Elverson, PA

Gwynedd Preserve | North Wales, PA

Hildacy Preserve | Media, PA

Peacedale Preserve | Landenburg, PA
10:00am-12:30pm

Stoneleigh: a natural garden| Villanova, PA
9:00-11:30 AM or 1:00-3:30 PM

Stroud Preserve | West Chester, PA

Willisbrook Preserve | Malvern, PA

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EnviroPolitics Events Calendar

2025 Membership Breakfast Series
January General Membership Breakfast: Meet the SJTA

Join us on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Forsgate Country Club to hear valuable insight on upcoming projects from the SJTA for 2025

Panelists include:
Stephen Doughtery – Executive Director
Tim Kroll – Airport Director
Dan Corrigan – Acting Chief Engineer / Acting Director of Engineering

More information or to register:

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NJ mayor pleads to misconduct, leaves post 9 days after swearing-in

Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso appears before Judge Lisa Walsh in the Union County Courthouse where he pled guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct and forgery, in Elizabeth, NJ on Friday, January 10, 2025. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

By Riley Yates | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso admitted Friday to criminal charges and agreed to forfeit his office under a plea bargain just days after he was sworn in for another term.

Bonaccorso pleaded guilty to using township resources to benefit his private landscaping business and to forging signatures on permit applications for work his company performed. He did so under an agreement calling for him to receive three years of probation when Superior Court Judge Lisa Miralles Walsh sentences him on Feb. 7 for conspiracy to commit official misconduct and forgery.

Bonaccorso, a Republican, has been the face of Clark for a quarter century, the longest-serving mayor in the GOP stronghold’s history. In November, he easily won a seventh term despite the public corruption charges and a racism scandal in which he was caught using the n-word and crassly disparaging women in law enforcement.

His guilty plea requires him to forfeit that office, a provision that took effect immediately. He is also barred from holding public office or employment in the future.

Bonaccorso entered his plea at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Immediately following the hearing, his defense attorney, Robert Stahl, released a statement saying Bonaccorso’s decision came after he recently learned he was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm that will require surgery.

“After a long and difficult period of reflection and discussion with his family and friends, Mayor Bonaccorso decided that the best course forward for his health, his family and the town he so dearly loves and has devoted more than two decades to, was to resolve this matter by way of a plea,” the statement said.

Read the full story here

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EnviroPolitics Events Calendar

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We are thrilled to invite all youth ages 9 and up (and their adults) to join us for a fun-filled and educational event: Building For The Birds! This hands-on activity is designed to spark creativity, foster a love for nature, and provide valuable insights into the world of our feathered friends.

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Update on the uncontrolled wildfires ravaging Southern California

L.A. fires kill 5. Death toll expected to rise as several blazes rage unabated

Washington Post, January 9, 2025 at 2:44 p.m.

Out-of-control wildfires are raging across greater Los Angeles, killing at least five people, devouring neighborhoods and forcing the evacuation of about 180,000 people as the blazes enter their third day. An additional 200,000 people are under evacuation warnings.

L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said he expects the death toll to rise. There are now five active wildfires burning in Los Angeles County, according to Cal Fire; some areas “look like a bomb was dropped on them,” Luna said.

The Palisades Fire, which has burned 17,234 acres, is “one of the most destructive fires in the history of Los Angeles,” Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said. The Eaton Fire, at 10,600 acres, remains uncontained. The Sunset Fire has burned 60 acres since it started Wednesday in the Hollywood Hills. High wind speeds, which fueled the blazes, decreased overnight, but another wind surge is forecast for late Thursday into Friday, with gusts up to 60 mph.

Key updates

Yesterday’s fire coverage

Update on the uncontrolled wildfires ravaging Southern California Read More »

UpdatedNJ Senate Environment Committee meeting – Jan.13, 25

** Updated ** The links to bills are updated and active

The New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee will meet at 11 a.m. January 13, in Committee Room 6. on the first floor of the State House Annex. The following bills will be considered:

S1029 (Greenstein/Smith) – Prohibits sale, distribution, import, export or propagation of certain invasive species without permit from Department of Agriculture; establishes NJ Invasive Species Council.

S1033 (Greenstein) – Requires DEP to study indoor air quality at public schools, develop list of common indoor air contaminants at public schools, and establish guidance regarding potential mitigation measures.

S2840 (Singer) – Directs DEP to lift conservation restrictions imposed as condition of CAFRA permit under certain conditions.

S3287 (Smith/McKeon) – Provides gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers for sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes.

S3398 (Smith) – “Packaging Product Stewardship Act.”

S3737 (Zwicker) – Revises requirements for certain greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting activities.

(The public may address comments and questions to Christina Denney, Eric Hansen, Committee Aides, or make bill status and scheduling inquiries to Stephanie Cenneno, Secretary, at 609-847-3855, fax 609-292-0561, or e-mail: OLSAideSEN@njleg.org. Written and electronic comments, questions and testimony submitted to the committee by the public, as well as recordings and transcripts, if any, of oral testimony, are government records and will be available to the public upon request.)

**Updated**NJ Senate Environment Committee meeting – Jan.13, 25 Read More »