Help Save our State Parks!

Last Wednesday, the steps of the Trenton State House were the scene of a concrete camp-out -- over 300 people rallied to save our state parks from Gov. Corzine's budget cuts.

The same day, the Governor's staff was testifying to the Legislature, saying the Governor supports "passive recreation" at the nine state parks targeted for closure. But they would still ban swimming and camping.

The next day, the Governor proposed corporate sponsorship for state parks. So, we're starting to have an impact. But the Governor still doesn't get it -- New Jersey state parks should not be only partially open or sold to the highest bidder. The Legislature is starting to get the message. Make sure your state senator holds the line on keeping all of our state parks open.

Do your part to help keep our state parks open by clicking on the link below and sending a message to our state legislature.

http://www.environmentnewjersey.org/action/preservation/parks2?id4=ES

Earth Day Groceries Project

The Washington Elementary School PTO is proud to announce the participation of our school in the 14th annual Earth Day Groceries Project!

Students at our school will be decorating paper grocery bags, generously provided by Shoprite in Fair Lawn, with environmental messages and pictures. Upon their completion, the bags will be collected and returned to Shoprite in Fair Lawn where they will be handed out to shoppers, upon checkout, on Earth Day, April 22nd.

Inaddition to displaying our students artwork, the people in our community will get a clear and positive message that the students of Washington Elementary School, and Shoprite of Fair Lawn, care about the environment.

The students, staff and faculty of Washington Elementary School along with Shoprite of Fair Lawn are proud to be partners in an effort to raise environmental awareness.

For complete details on this project, please visit:

http://www.earthdaybags.org/

Staying informed....

Care 2 is an organization that stays on top of current topics and brings its readers news and updates on current events that impact our lives and our enviornment.

Additionally, they compile petitions, to forward to government officials/departments, so that your voice can be heard with a minimal amount of effort on your part.

I strongly recommend their site and ask that you check out their most recent topic (Keeping our Water Clean and Protected) below.

How much easier could it be to make your voice heard????



Keep our Water Clean and Protected!

The Clean Water Restoration Act would restore the original intent of the Clean Water Act, the legislation that has protected our communities from pollution for decades. Tell your representative:Protect New Jersey's water! >>
Share this petition with friends
Hi Heather,
For more than 30 years, the Clean Water Act provided critical safeguards for our streams, rivers, and wetlands. But now 60 percent of our nation’s waters could be stripped of federal protection.
Industry groups are trying to take advantage of recent court rulings to take away clean water protections, but we have a chance to stop them.
Ask your representative to support the Clean Water Restoration Act now! >>
The Clean Water Restoration Act would restore the original intent of the Clean Water Act, the legislation that has protected our communities from pollution for decades.
Can you imagine not having clean water for showers, or being able to enjoy a cold glass of fresh water? What about having to give up swimming in your favorite lake because the water would harm you or your children?
Now is the time to keep the momentum going to keep our water clean.
Let decision makers know the Clean Water Restoration Act must be passed >>
Thank you for doing your part to save our local waters for generations to come.
Yours Truly,Breeana L.Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team

Earth Day Celebration Ideas

I've been asked to help out at my daughter's school for the annual Earth Day Celebration, and I have to say, there are hundreds of great ideas out there.

Some of the activities we've lined up for my daughter's elementary school are:

• Planting Tree Samplings
• Collecting change for Heifer International....be sure to visit their site, it's a great way to help others, and a great way to show children how much they can have an impact. Their website is: http://www.heifer.org/
• Butterfly and Praying Mantis kits. The kids get to "raise" the butterflies and praying mantis and then release them. The kits are relatively inexpensive and it's a great activity for the kids. Kits can be found at: http://www.earthsbirthday.org/
• Promise Tree - This an activity for the entire school. We purchased bulletin board sized trees that come with 60 leaves. Each grade will get a "tree" and each student will be given a leave to write their "promise" for earth day. We acquired the "trees" from: http://www.castleparkllc.com/
• And last but not least, we have joined hundreds of other schools in the Earth Day Grocery Bags activity. Every student will receive a brown grocery bag to decorate with an Earth Day message. Upon completion, the bags will be returned to a local supermarket and given to shoppers on Earth day. For more information on this activity, visit: http://www.earthdaybags.org/

Why not share your Earth Day celebration ideas?????