June: The Executive Committee (ExCom) voted to empower the Chapter’s Forest Conservation Committee to decide which proposals to send to Chapter Director Anjuli Ramos-Busot for submission to the state’s new Forest Stewardship Task Force. The task force has work groups assigned to address the health of forest ecology and the carbon sequestration of forests. Anjuli is an appointed member of the task force. The Chapter’s Trenton staff will ensure proposals conform with National’s forest policies. ExCom decided that proposals for task force consideration should first be discussed on the Conservation Committee and ExCom listservs so Club members can weigh in on the strength of these ideas. Leona Fluck was appointed Outings Chair, replacing Ellen Blumenkrantz, who stepped down owing to work requirements.
July: Karen Becker was appointed to serve the unexpired 3-year Executive Committee term of Ken Johanson, who has stepped down for health reasons. Over two decades with the NJ Chapter, Ken has served as chair, legislative chair, and treasurer; and he has been a strong and effective advocate for the environment. The Club wishes him well. Judy Minot and Jim Andreano were appointed as co-chairs of the Fundraising Committee. Robert “Bo” Petrillo was officially appointed as wetlands issues coordinator. He holds a Master of Natural Resources from the University of Idaho and is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist. His professional experience includes ecology and scientific work with Excelon, McCormic Taylor, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the US Army Corps of Engineers. His work has included threatened and endangered species surveys and environmental impact analysis. The Club welcomes Bo. A motion was passed to reassign the following communities to the Raritan Valley Group: Iselin (08830), South Plainfield (07080), parts of Edison (08818, 08837, 08899), Carteret (07008), Colonia (07067), Sewaren (07077), and Port Reading (07064).
August: The ExCom voted to withdraw cosponsorship of a resolution asking National to support the creation of Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve. Political Committee Chair Karen Becker noted the Loantaka Group has endorsed Danny O’Sullivan for Ward 1 on the Summit Common Council and Rachele Ehrlich for Madison Borough Council. Raritan Valley Group has endorsed Melonie Marana for Somerset County Commissioner. In a special action, the NJ Chapter endorsed Reed Gusciora for another term as mayor of Trenton. The Conservation Committee voted to support creation of a Hudson Canyon marine sanctuary. The Hudson Canyon supports an immense variety of undersea and bird life. It extends from Raritan Bay, and the most pronounced features (walls .75 mile high), which would be in the sanctuary, begin about 100 miles southeast of the bay. The resolution calls for protecting Hudson Canyon from oil, gas, and mineral development and preserving this ecological treasure.