Greener Bloomfield - NJ

If missed this presentation you can catch it now by watching the recorded July 21st town council meeting and if you haven't taken our student green team's sustainability survey yet, please do it this weekend. 🌱 Survey results will be included in their final research paper which is being used to help shape this great new project. We all want to hear from you! https://tinyurl.com/bloomfieldsustainability

Big Impact, Small Footprint: Bloomfield’s First Microforest Is Coming!
The Township of Bloomfield is proud to announce plans for our first-ever microforest, taking root in late 2025 on the south end of town. Thanks to forward-thinking leadership, existing grant funding has been thoughtfully repurposed to support this innovative environmental project.
In partnership with Greener Bloomfield and the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Green Teams, the microforest will follow the Miyawaki Method—a proven approach to planting dense, fast-growing native forests in urban areas. These mini ecosystems help reduce flooding, lower temperatures, clean the air, and restore biodiversity where it’s needed most.
Tune in TONIGHT to see the Student Green Team present their research at the Town Council Meeting—and be part of Bloomfield’s sustainable future by sharing your feedback here: https://tinyurl.com/bloomfieldsustainability
Let’s keep building a greener Bloomfield—together!

Did you know... Grasscycling lowers your need to fertilize by up to 30%, reduces the trucking and resulting fuel use and pollution for collecting the bags, renders and maintains a healthier lawn, and eliminates the need to purchase and fill biodegradable bags for grass.

HOW TO GRASSCYCLE:

Mow "high and often" by setting your mower blade to the highest setting (2.5-3.5" height) and mowing frequently enough that you don't remove more than one-third of the grass blade.

Leave short grass clippings on your lawn to act as natural fertilizer and light, short-term mulch. The clippings will shelter tender grass roots from the sun to keep them cool and conserve moisture giving you a healthier and greener lawn while saving the time and effort of bagging up grass cuttings.

Double Bonus: The practice of grasscycling helps make your lawn more resistant to w**ds and certain lawn diseases by improving your soil quality and increasing the overall health your grass so you can also save money by reducing your need for lawn fertilizers and w**d controls.

Myth busted: Grasscycling does NOT cause thatch! Short grass clippings decompose within a few days and any accidental clumps are easy to remove. Thatch, on the other hand, is highly labor intensive to remove because it is is made up of dead roots and stems that result from overwatering, over-fertilizing and mowing grass too short.

For more information visit.

Township of Bloomfield Yardwaste, webpage
https://www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com/283/Yard-Waste

Sustainable Yard Care Resources for Homeowners, Rutger Cooperative Extension
https://ocean.njaes.rutgers.edu/anr/sustainable-landscape-education/sustainable-yard-care-resources-for-homeowners/

Environmentally-Friendly Lawn Care, PDF Tipsheet from NJDEP, Bureau of Energy and Sustainabilityhttps://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/Grass%20Cut%20It%20and%20Leave%20It.pdf

Setting up for our Earth Day celebration … come and join us at the library, 11 am to 3 pm today!

Happy Earth Day! We hope you have a chance to pause and enjoy this beautiful sunny day!
Remember to stop by the Bloomfield Public Library Courtyard this Saturday, April 26, 11 AM to 3 PM, to celebrate Earth Day!

If you haven't signed up, join us tomorrow for this sustainable garden talk!

If you signed up already, see you tomorrow!

Are you thinking of sprucing up this Spring?
Learn how to beautify sustainably with native plants that will also attract birds and butterflies.
Bonus - this approach is low-maintenance!

Join Greener Bloomfield and the Bloomfield Environmental Commission as we host expert Deb Ellis of the Essex Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey in an engaging 1-hour learning session "How to Help Birds and Butterflies with Native Plants".

Event details:
April 15, 7pm
Bloomfield Civic Center - 84 Broad St.
RSVP bit.ly/lawns4birds

Are you thinking of sprucing up this Spring?
Learn how to beautify sustainably with native plants that will also attract birds and butterflies.
Bonus - this approach is low-maintenance!

Join Greener Bloomfield and the Bloomfield Environmental Commission as we host expert Deb Ellis of the Essex Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey in an engaging 1-hour learning session "How to Help Birds and Butterflies with Native Plants".

Event details:
April 15, 7pm
Bloomfield Civic Center - 84 Broad St.
RSVP bit.ly/lawns4birds

Come join us to celebrate Mother Earth and Father Sky!

Saturday, April 26 from 11am-3pm @ the Bloomfield Library's Courtyard, let's get together to celebrate Bloomfield's Annual Earth Day Celebration!

Stop by and learn how to adopt eco-friendly practices at home from members of our local sustainability and environmental groups!

There will be garden seed & plant giveaways, food trucks, seed-saving presentation, live music and much more!

We will have a drop-off for reusable bags.

Be green by walking, biking, taking public transit or carpooling to the event!

Free event parking provided in the State Street lot, behind the library.

Come meet the Township of Bloomfield's Green Team!
We're hosting an open house for community members who are interested in learning more about what we do, and are interested in working to create a more eco-friendly and sustainable community.
Meet your Green Team members, ask questions, and share ideas!
This event is free and light refreshments will be served. Email us @ [email protected] if you have any questions.

August 1, 2024, 6-7:30pm
Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center
240 Belleville Ave, Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Please RSVP below! Your email will be used to contact you if there are any last minute changes to the event and having an attendee count helps our volunteers with planning!

https://forms.gle/3C3xtYsCA3AuPvh47