Atlantic City Electric, NJ Commission Team Up to Help Wildlife

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Atlantic City Electric and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), held a “Partnering for Wildlife Habitat” workshop at the Pilesgrove Township Municipal Building, Pilesgrove, New Jersey, October 1. Environmental experts discussed initiatives and programs implemented to protect and restore wildlife habitats. The programs are funded through federal, state and local organizations to help municipal and private landowners improve wildlife habitat. The workshop included interactive presentations and group discussions. Nearly 30 attendees from 12 municipalities including environmental commission members and elected officials attended the workshop.

Speakers included Michael Garrity, Lead Environmental Scientist, Atlantic City Electric; Jean Lynch, NJ Stewardship Project Director, South Region/NJ Audubon Society; Margaret O’Gorman, Executive Director, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ; and Eric Schrading, Private Lands Coordinator, US Fish & Wildlife Service.

 “Wildlife needs habitat to survive. It’s where they feed, rest and reproduce,” Sandy Batty, Executive Director, ANJEC. “Today, only about 25 percent of the landscape in New Jersey is considered to be preserved for wildlife to live. By reversing habitat loss through enhancement and restoration, we can reduce the leading cause of species extinction.” 

 “Our organization is involved in numerous programs to not only protect, but restore wildlife habitats, including habitat that supports threatened and endangered species,” said Michael Garrity, Lead Environmental Scientist, Atlantic City Electric, and trustee of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ. “It’s important we inform and educate municipalities about initiatives we have to protect, enhance, and restore critical habitat for wildlife and plants, and how we can better serve these towns in accomplishing these goals.” 

Atlantic City Electric protects and fosters threatened species such as Frosted Elfin through initiating proper management and maintenance of vegetation along our right of ways, the implementation of wildlife habitat protection strategies and controlling invasive species.

Atlantic City Electric partnered with ANJEC to offer educational workshops to municipalities in southern New Jersey to discuss the many opportunities for habitat restoration available from various sources. Atlantic City Electric’s management practices along nearly 1,200 miles of right of ways to help promote germination and growth of dormant annual and perennial wildflowers, and warm seasonal grasses. Wildflowers and warm seasonal grasses provide habitat and important food and nectar for bees, butterflies and migratory song birds. Bee and butterfly populations are important because they pollinate fruits, vegetables and flowers and provide an essential food source for other wildlife.

Pinelands ROW Management Plan - Direct benefit to:  Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Estell Manor City, Folsom Borough, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township, Hammonton Town, Mullica Township, Port Republic City, Weymouth Township, http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/Bass River Township, Evesham Township, Medford Lakes Borough, Medford Township, http://www.northhanover.us/http://www.pemberton-twp.com/Shamong Township, http://www.southamptonnj.org/http://www.springfieldtownship.org/Tabernacle Township, Washington Township, http://woodlandtownship.org/Woodland_Township/Welcome.htmlhttp://www.camdencounty.com/Berlin Borough, Berlin Township, Chesilhurst Borough, Waterford Township, Winslow Township, http://www.co.cape-may.nj.us/Dennis Township, Upper Township, Woodbine Borough, http://www.co.cumberland.nj.us/content/159/3747.aspMaurice River Township, http://www.vinelandcity.org/http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/Franklin Township, Monroe Township, http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/Barnegat Township, http://www.beachwoodusa.com/http://twp.berkeley.nj.us/index.aspxhttp://www.tomsrivertownship.com/Eagleswood Township, http://www.jacksontwpnj.net/http://www.laceytownship.org/http://www.lakehurstnj.org/Little Egg Harbor Township, http://manchestertwp.com/Ocean Township, http://www.plumsted.org/http://www.strnj.com/Stafford Township.  Indirect benefit to State of New Jersey and International for the protection of Globally Rare Plants.

For more information on wildlife habitat restoration programs and/or sponsorship opportunities, contact ANJEC at 973-539-7547 or visit info@anjec.org.   

--Press Release from Atlantic City Electric