Welcome!

As the summer season arrives, so does the next quarterly newsletter from The Westfield Green Team!

Through these newsletters, we will share updates on local opportunities to get involved, take action, and help you live greener. We believe that all our small individual efforts will have a cumulative impact against climate change. Changes in our own community — neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and homes — can help build a better future.

-- The Westfield Green Team

New Recycling Programs at the Conservation Center!

The Westfield Green Team has partnered with the Conservation Center to introduce two new programs. Residents can now drop off the following items for recycling:

String lights
Printer ink cartridges

For full details on all available drop-off programs and hours of operation, visit the Town website.

Bike-Friendly Grant

We’re excited to share that Westfield received one of seven Sustainable Jersey $20,000 grants, funded by the PSEG Foundation, for the Green Team’s application to install a bike oasis within the downtown area, as part of our sustainability platform.

The bike oasis can be used to house bikes while residents shop or dine downtown, and is expected to include places for cyclists to rest, charge phones, and make bike repairs – further advancing our efforts to make Westfield more bicycle-friendly as part of our sustainability platform.

Inspiring Future Green Generations

Green Collar Career Fair
For the second year in a row, we’ve partnered with the NJ School Boards Association (NJSBA) to explore emerging Green Collar Careers. Recorded 40-minute sessions, which were moderated by students, provide students with ideas for entering the growing Green Collar workforce. Listen in to hear from experts in the following fields:

Robinson Creek Stream Lab
In May, the Westfield Green Team partnered with Westfield High School teaching staff, Friends of Brightwood Park, Union County environmental specialists, and Rahway River Watershed Ambassadors to create a field experience for 250 high school students. Students visited Tamaques Park and learned about water quality testing, stream assessments, rain garden function and construction, and Westfield’s Adopt-A-Drain program, which aims to preserve water quality in the Rahway River watershed. Learn more about the Rahway River Watershed Association.

Student Green Team member wins scholarship!
Congratulations to Ashley Hu, a Westfield High School senior, who was awarded a scholarship for her environmental activism. Ashley formed the Green Team Student Auxiliary, a group for students to learn more about climate issues, participate in volunteer activities, and lead local initiatives. She is heading to Carnegie Mellon to study mechanical engineering.

Are you a student or know of one who’s interested in getting involved in sustainable community efforts? Students can join the Green Team Student Auxiliary Committee by emailing greenteam@westfieldnj.gov.

A Better Way to Battle the Mosquitoes

The use of professional mosquito control services has become increasingly popular. Unfortunately, these sprays only kill mosquitoes they directly contact. The most widely used insecticides for this purpose are non-selective and harmful to native pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, fish, and other aquatic organisms.

Instead, try these tips to help combat mosquitoes, while limiting harm to other beneficial bugs and wildlife.

Support Our Native Pollinators, Insects & Birds

Native plants provide food and habitat to local insects and birds and help counter the loss of biodiversity that’s been occurring at an alarming rate over the past decade. By choosing to use native plants in your yard, you can play a critical role in restoring the natural ecology of our area.

Learn more about how a yard with more natural vegetation can be both beautiful and more sustainable.

Guess Who's Back?

Juvenile spotted lantern flies have hatched. Try these methods to help eliminate them:

Keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol, water, and a little dish soap handy and spray to kill the insect on contact.
Plant more milkweed for spotted lanternflies to eat, which is toxic to them.

Refer to the NJ Department of Agriculture website for more information.

Share the Green

Encourage family and friends who may be interested in hearing about local green opportunities to sign up for our quarterly newsletter. It’s easy:

Visit westfieldnj.gov/townupdates.
Enter your email address, and click "Sign in."
Select the email or text icon for the Green Team under "Notify Me," as well as for any other topics of interest to you.
Confirm your selection(s) by clicking the confirmation link sent to your email.