US Green Building Council New Jersey Hosts Environmental Education and Climate Science Day for Underserved Youth
Morristown, N.J. (August 14, 2017) The US Green Building Council New Jersey (USGBC NJ) will host an Environmental Education Day for children from underserved households on Thursday, August 17th at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Sandy Hook Beaches at Gateway National Recreation Area.
USGBC NJ is a State-wide organization of professionals, businesses, innovators and community leaders working to accomplish a bold vision: healthy, green, and energy-efficient buildings and communities.
The 10th Annual USGBC NJ Summer Social Networking Benefit took place on Wednesday, August 9th at Martell’s Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. This annual gathering has expanded to become more than just a terrific networking event. It’s also a charitable day focusing on New Jersey kids. This is the 7th consecutive year that the Summer Social has raised funds for a day of green education for underserved youth from around the state.
The goal for this year’s environmental education day is to inspire children, instilling an understanding of our fragile coastal resources, and the impacts of climate change on a local and global scale and the role that USGBC NJ has in reducing the Carbon Footprint—better protecting these resources.
“USGBC New Jersey is pleased to bring this environmental education opportunity to underserved students in NJ. I am especially excited about this year’s unique program, which will provide hands-on experiences related to resilience, sustainability and our local ecosystem” stated Faith Taylor, SVP, Global Corporate Social Responsibility, Wyndham Worldwide and USGBC NJ’s Board Chair.
On Thursday, August 17, 2017 the kids will tour the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and marshes, and Sandy Hook Beaches at Gateway National Recreation Area. The primary mission of the Howard Laboratory is to conduct research in ecology, leading to a better understanding of both coastal and estuarine organisms and the effects of human activities on nearshore marine populations.
The NOAA Lab is one of the few national labs engaged in ocean acidifation research–tied to Carbon-pollution and warming–and will engage the kids in a lab experiment by NOAA scientists and fisheries biologists. The tour will also include birding (and wading) in the NOAA coastal salt marsh. The day will include ample time for the kids to enjoy the beaches at Sandy Hook, close to the lab.
“In the advent of climate change— sea level rise and greater storm intensities, USGBC NJ’s mission to promote green building and transform the state’s built environment into an ecologically resilient and sustainable system, reduce energy consumption and carbon inputs, to result in healthier, greener communities. Through education, advocacy and growth of its LEED program, and collaboration with our partners, this can be achieved,” said Marc Matsil, Executive Director, USGBC NJ.
A goal of USGBC NJ is to expand our educational offerings to include students and youth from underserved households, as well as unemployed professionals—to obtain a LEED credential that will lead to greater employment opportunities, reduce the energy demand and the C-footprint.
Nearly 40% of our nation’s Carbon emissions (and energy consumption) are generated by buildings. Carbon dioxide is a leading cause of climate change. Green buildings generate less greenhouse gas, reduce the impact that buildings have on contributing to climate change while building resilience into our homes and communities.
Join USGBC NJ in our efforts to reduce the C-footprint and energy consumption through green-LEED building certification; become LEED accredited; and support green legislation– for the health of our children and communities.
Be part of the solution and become a USGBC NJ Member or Corporate Sponsor at https://usgbcnj.org.
For Summer Social info, registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit:
https://usgbcnj.wildapricot.org/widget/event-2528852.
Find upcoming tours, networking, and educational events, here: https://usgbcnj.org/event-directory/.