Environment

Tours, lectures and music were on the bill July 16 for the 17th annual Garden Party in Colonial Park’s perennial garden. “We get quite a few people who come out and enjoy this garden,” said Jim Avens, the manager of the Somerset County Park Commission horticulture department. The garden is designed so that some plant varieties are blooming throughout the year, …

The Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department invites the public to the 17th annual “Garden Party,” featuring garden lectures and music, from 11 am. to 3 p.m. July 16. In addition, gardening books autographed by author Kerry Ann Mendez and specialty plants and sculptures by Daisy Garden will be for sale. Complimentary refreshments and light snacks will be available. The …

A proposal to build a 32,000 horsepower gas pipeline compressor station in the township – part of a larger pipeline project planned by the Williams Companies – is the topic of two public information sessions set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. June 28 at the Hotel Somerset-Bridgewater on Davidson Avenue. The so-called Northeast Supply Enhancement Project …

The Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department has scheduled “Container Gardening with Edible Plants,” a workshop for children age 7 to 10 accompanied by a adult. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. The program is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon at the Colonial Park Fragrance & Sensory Garden, Parking Lot A, 156 …

Two Somerset residents are among the 19 newest members of Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County. Thomas Polka and Donna Groomes were among those participating in the graduation ceremony at the NJAES Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office on Milltown Road in Bridgewater. Rutgers Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers Cooperative Extension in its mission to deliver horticulture programs and information …

Our area could be in for snow, sleet and freezing rain for most of Feb. 15 into the early morning hours of Feb. 16, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area from 9 a.m. Feb. 15 to 2 a.m. Feb. 16. Snow is expected to begin by mid- to late-morning …

The township’s dormant “Green Team” was re-established by the Township Council at the Jan. 12 meeting. The council passed a resolution to rekindle the team and appoint its members. In addition to devising strategies to improve the township’s environment, the Green Team is a prerequisite for attaining any status in the “Sustainable Jersey” program in which more than 400 towns throughout …

This winter the Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC) Environmental Education Center will pilot a new school field trip program called Finding Answers in Nature. This program was made possible through an Eco Grant from 3M and the Somerset County Park Foundation, and includes $5,000 in scholarships available to Title 1 schools for transportation costs. Finding Answers in Nature uses the …

Homeowners who have solar cells installed have a cost-free option to power their homes in the event of a power outage. The option – a battery the size of a small refrigerator – is necessary because solar panels require some power source to operate. A handful of township residents dropped in on the Oct. 19 meeting of the township Environmental Commission …

A Somerset woman is among eight county Master Gardeners who are recipients of the Somerset Awards for Excellence. Hana Ahlfeld was among those honored at the recent Master Gardener State Conference at the Cook Student Center at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The Rutgers University Master Gardener Program, a volunteer organization of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, annually recognizes the …