We'll put our mics on, please. Thank you. We're the environmental commission of the city of Cape May and in compliance with the open public meetings act 1975 adequate notice of this meeting has been
provided. Can we have our pledge of allegiance, please? I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Thank you. So this morning um Mike Jones has asked us to run the meeting on his behalf and our own and we'll um dispense with the
planning board report. Would you like to do roll call first? Oh yeah. Okay. Y Councilman Bonner Randall here. Chris, Justine here,
myself, Gretchen here, Charlotte here, Sarah, Barbara here, Michael and Kim here. Thanks.
And do we have a motion to approve the minutes from July 22nd? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Thank you. All in favor? I I although I should Oh yeah. And um Councilman Bodner is
will not have a report. We don't have a planning board report except Gretchen, did were there any plans that you had to review? No, not recently. No. Okay. And um under new business, I don't know
if that title is applicable. Gretchen, do you have anything to talk to us? Um, not yet about the community yard sale. I'll jump ahead to the community wildlife habitat. So,
I was I was misunderstood about a the certification. Every five years a wildlife community has to do like a major reeval reaval,
but every year you still have to have um kind of like a progress report that you're doing things to keep the certification active. So, so by the end of this year, by December 31st, we have
to send in um a very quick report and I know that that's printed out in your packet. We we have to have 30 points um to retain the certification and
we shouldn't have any problem. I already went through like what would apply um certain things like I'm writing a nature column now on the star and wave. I my next one which comes out September
17th I am going to talk about the wildlife certification program that homeowners can do. I'm going to talk about monarchs and monarch festival and everything. So that article in itself will give us 10 points. Um, one thing
that we could do on the city website, um, or you know, somewhere we should talk about this program. Um, and by having that on there every year, that gives us the 10 points. um
Monarch Fest continuing hosting an annual event. Um that started during the certification phase, which is true. You know, we've had Monarchfest for many years. So that gives us 10 points. So just in the like
the articles, something on the website and doing that annually, we should have no problem. But there's other things like it says continue a regular column in your community newspaper to educate community members about your project and
how to take action. So I'll make a point of doing that in my nature column at least once or twice or three times a year. Um, and I am actually talking to the garden club
uh on September 9th about my trip to Mexico about monarchs. So, I'll put in another plug. Like, I'll just make a conscious effort to always put in a pl plug that homeowners can do this. um a member of the habitat team has to serve
on a community committee that addresses environmental issues. That that's what I do. So that's five points. So there it's it's not going to be a problem. One thing that I don't think is really happening too much right now is
encouraging homeowners to take part of this program. There was a real push and the one of the issues was this this started as an effort through New Jersey Audabon and I'm trying to get some answers because when it came up the first round
for reertification, New Jersey Audabon handled it. They did it. Even though it's a it's the other thing that you should know, it's not just Kate May City. It's Lower Township, West Kate May, and Cape May Point that makes up the Cape Island. So
it's actually for communities. So I don't know like Westgate May they do things too. Um so we just have to kind of reach out and make sure that the certification program is being promoted and I think it's gotten a little lax that it hasn't really been talked about
a lot lately. Um there was that push initially. Um, and I think at the nature cent's plant cell every year they make the information available, but I just don't know how much it's really been um, pushed lately. So, I think it's sort of under the radar. So, we just have to do
that. Anyway, since New Jersey Attabon, the person that ran the community wildlife habitats for the state through New Jersey Audabon no longer works for them. And I'm not sure like who's picked up the reigns.
Sure. Um so if we want to keep the certification active we may have to take on that responsibility and I don't think it's it's not difficult. Um the difficult part was what was done originally
um eight years ago or whatever it was to get that certified. But each year we should be trying to recruit more homeowners to participate in this program. Um I know that um Justine will be talking
to us in a few minutes. However, just just this idea when we have Monarchfest, is is this an opportunity for us to have um signin sheets by everyone who attends pledging?
Well, yeah. I mean, it's it's a little bit more involved to to certify your community, your your yard. Um, there is an application fee. I think it's $25 or something. And there used to be a
program that New Jersey Autobon could wave that fee. A homeowner didn't have to pay that. Um, so let let me find out and I'll talk to Emily at the nature center to see if, you know, they can really try to push this again. It was it
was a an initiative by New Jersey Audabon and I just don't know if it's it's just like there it's but I don't know if it's being pushed because okay the dedicated employee which it was a grant-f funded position and I think they
lost that funding and she no longer works for them. So did did a staff member pick it up? Um, I did reach out to Emily to ask her to send me a list of all the things that the nature center has done that that could count towards
this. I don't mind doing the the application. It's going to take like an hour to just plug in the information. Um, and we again, we have till the end of the year, so we have a lot more things that could be happening this fall that we could say, right, are part of it. We have no problem
keeping the 30 points. It's um it I it's the re the big bigger reertification that has to happen every five years. I think that's two years away. Um that's where we're going to have to recruit more homeowners. And they're like,
"Recruit another school." Well, we already did both of the schools on the island. we can't really um there are no more schools and you know we're kind of a small community so it's really getting homeowners
um to do things and I actually I don't know I guess if this would be a new idea if I could go there right now related to this is I left the Coast Guard base this morning went to the gym and if you go up
um Pennsylvania Avenue. Could we could we save that for a few minutes? Thank you. Okay. I don't know. Um Justine, do you have um report? I think she's time. Sure. Thank you. Yeah. Have to leave early. Yeah. Um
Okay. So, there were two updates that I wanted to um provide to the commission. I will start um with the one that connects to the previous Colombia capstone, not the one referred to in the
printout that David provided. Um so last semester the sustainability management cohort um provided the extensive report um that was shared on uh recommendations for the forthcoming Delaw plant um water
conservation efforts um finances sustainability um materials that can be used etc. Um it was exceptional and uh they so enjoyed working with us that I was recently
contacted by the dean of engagement at the climate school uh and they would like to essentially take a new cohort of students on a year-long project um beginning this fall and culminating next
spring and uh as a phase two. So this group is called uh applied climate and their goal would be stakeholder engagement. So there would be four groups. Each group would have a different focus. Um one group may look
at um commercial um enterprises, business owners, how do we as a city, as an environmental commission engage um that community? One group may look at um presenting a timeline and plan for um
town halls for instance. One group may produce a bundle of um promotional and educational materials and media assets that then we can use as a commission to
educate the public on the rebate system, the financial incentives, the tiered water pricing system. So essentially um the first capstone project culminated in these recommendations and they're wonderful, right? But now it's our job
to get across the finish line to actually implement them and this new group wants to help us do that. Um so um that is in the beginning stages. I just met with the dean of engagement on sun
Saturday actually. Um she came down to Kate May to meet with me and it was a very productive conversation. Um, our mayor I is very much on board and in support of this project. I actually just
told Paul about it. I spoke with Steve yesterday. There's a lot of enthusiasm behind it. Um, because the truth of the matter is it we're a volunteer-based board and it's a lot of work to implement these fantastic
recommendations. So with their help um it'll it's more likely that um these outcomes will um come to fruition. Um so that's the first update. Um also on that note, those four groups have not um
confirmed what their focus areas will be. Um so um the dean and I were tossing around some ideas. Um my um initial idea was you know the business community, how do we get those heavy water users to buy
into this new structure, right? We we need their support. So I I do think one of the four um focus areas should be um that group, but the other three are kind of uh you know TBD. So if anyone has
ideas or suggestions and would like to be involved with communicating with this team, attend some of the meetings, I would love the collaboration and support. Um the second Colombia update is that
the sustainability management program so enjoyed working with us um that they came back and they said you know we would love to do another capstone. Um so I met with with them and we were tossing around ideas. Initially, I had
recommended a biodiversity study of the harbor because it's been so long since we have had one. Um, unfortunately, the requisite faculty member that would be needed to really do a great job leading that cohort was not available this
upcoming semester. So, um, we reverted back to, um, Paul and Zach's initial request, which was a project that focused on the intersection of historic preservation and coastline resilience.
Um, and as it turns out, the faculty that is available um, this semester um, can provide expert uh, guidance on that project. Um, so um, we had several meetings. Um, I met with uh, Professor
Lynette Witter and John Becker, the chair of the HPC. I wrote this project proposal and presented it to the HPC last week. Um, it was met with great enthusiasm. Um, I was
pleasantly surprised. The HPC is really on board um for collaborating with this Colombia team as they look at how we can address uh historic preservation and coastline resilience on a macro level.
You know, we're not a coastal community that can lift buildings a story. And so what do we do as you know, how do how is our infrastructure impacted? So there are these larger um systems and frameworks that we need to consider. But
then also on a more micro level um the integrity of our community is also threatened by rising costs of building materials. We have all heard of people in town who have to sell their historic home because they simply cannot afford
to install the building materials that are code compliant with the HPC. So, what are sustainable materials that are cost uh costefficient um help the community, the year-round
community um remain intact um and lower homeowner cost, there's longevity. So, the the team is really going to take uh an approach that looks at recommendations at all levels like
really zooming in and then also zooming out. It has not yet started. It's due to begin at next week. So, um I don't really have as active of a
role in it beyond um coordinating and acting as liaison because the environmental commission is not uh required actor in this project. really it's you
know the HPC planning zoning council you know obviously we are involved but we are not as integral to how the recommendations would be um enacted down the road because the project really does
focus on kind of that intersection of historic preservation and larger systems but it aligns with our ideals and philosophies and the the larger goals of sustainability and environmental preservation.
So that's why I wanted to update you on that today. I wonder if you have um or could provide our members with just a synopsis of some of what you reported today. Absolutely.
I would I would really feel wonderful about having that. Sure. Yeah. Um, so the because then perhaps we can try to see where we fit in to help you and help the other boards um so that
we're playing a larger part. I I think that's a great idea and um for the first project that I discussed the one that I didn't hand any literature out for I will definitely provide that because
that is something that will end up on our laps wonder to to to actually you know take across the the finish line for this um project proposal the summary you do have it. Oh. Um, so read through that and then if
there are any followup questions, I'm happy to answer them. I do predict there will be occasions for um more collaboration. Um
it's just I know I we have to be careful of uh quorum and making sure there aren't too many people from each body present at each meeting. So, um I think we would be fine if a few of us attend,
but we just need to communicate and I'll make sure I get you the calendar of when the the meetings are. That's terrific. Um one of the things that uh they did ask actually both projects asked is that they would like to interview
people from various commissions and sectors. um it from town so that they can understand both professionally and uh personally how different individuals across these boards and sectors
prioritize coastline resilience or historic preservation or stakeholder engagement so that then they can really fine-tune their recommendations and final report to reflect the priorities of the bodies
that they are serving. So, if anyone would like to volunteer to do an interview, um, that would be great. Yeah. Okay. Are there any questions? Well, thank you for your hard work and
seeing this through and continuing it. Thanks. It's really um exciting. Yeah. me to see the um like cross institution collaboration and and also interdisciplinary collaboration like
watching all these different professions come together and support these projects um is just quite frankly inspiring. So and it's also really inspiring that there is a university um several hours away that is just enamored as enamored
with our town as we are. Um, so yeah. Well, I'd like to just add a tiny bit to water conservation and our del plant and so forth. Um, we were all privileged to be mailed um a very comprehensive letter
from the city to our homes. Um, but I felt there was a missing piece in my estimation as I read it. Um the city letter thanks many who have uh come to the aid of outstanding projects. Um
certainly um Harborview Park uh the water del plant partisan support uh the recycling schedule very comprehensive but as a followup I would like conservation reminders coming from the
city. We aren't in my estimation getting those letters into the star wave anymore about our ordinances and to the public. I think we need that kind of publication.
Um, it used to be that we'd have the Star and Wave publish various environmental rulings on how we, you know, carry out wanting to have
gardens that would feed butterflies, how our city is highlighting what water conservation efforts, and are there a certain number um limited number of gallons
that we could say might have to happen if we're to protect the next diesel plant. I mean, are we getting to that point? So, um the uh applied climate group with their
stakeholder engagement plan, I I did ask for one of the focus groups to potentially explore um developing um like outreach statistics. So, for instance, like I think it would be helpful for us to be
able to say like if we reduce our townwide consumption by this many gallons, like we can ultimately save ourselves this much or the city this much money. You know, the funding the new diesel plant is problematic. We don't know when the the plant is going
to go. it it's all very fragile the situation and um I ran I did not renew the placement of the ads in the star and wave this past summer um because
everyone I talked to which you know I talked to a lot of people they're like they either didn't see them or they they just don't know it just to me wasn't effective in delivering that information And so one of the things that I would love to
see happen is that one of their groups to explore how do we effectively communicate this information like beyond the small school population that we ran ads every other week in the star and
wave and I don't think people saw them. Maybe they were lost in the visual chaos of the ad section. I don't know. it. Well, interestingly enough, I have, you know, um the opportunity to live in another community
where water is very scarce. Okay? And we are told as a city, you may not water your grass except on this designated day of the week, depending on the number of your house, and it's
enforced and we are given a fine if it's not followed. So, I think that maybe some of those things might have to go forward. Um, in the olden days, we encouraged everybody to have rain barrels. We haven't had a whole lot of
rain to collect, but to feed our gardens with the rainwater. I mean, I just feel very passionately about protecting another diesel plant. Being a part of
the first group, knowing that we had to be going to a Delaw plant some 30 years ago and sitting at those committee meetings and knowing that we had to select a way to find water to drink.
So, I think that we can't keep repeating history, that we've got to fine-tune and change some of the the habits that people think are theirs by right.
I That's just me being on a soap box. Sorry. Well, also I mean we've tinkered with ordinances over the years on landscaping and what should be done.
Yet, if we look at all the new construction that's happened in town, it's all sad. It's all lawn. It's not focused on native plants and
something's just not working. Exactly. Waterheavy. Yes. Landscaping. Yeah. And you know, we talk about it. I I I don't know if we have to get back into the level of the ordinances
to make things stronger. And then, as you said, enforceable. enforcement. Yeah, compliance has been an issue that has come up almost every meeting. And do we talk to the other boards about it? Um,
do we go to council with this or where do we go? You know I attended the HPC meeting last week and they there was also a brief discussion then about code and
compliance and how are you know how are these ordinances and recommend or requirements actually enforced. I think it's an issue faced by a lot of small towns. Um perhaps
there should be some sort of exploratory committee put together to make recommendations on how code compliance can better approach enforcing them. I I don't know, but it's not
working the way it is. No. And we can't have it we just can't have it repeating. Yeah. I thank you so much personally for all of the hard work and for
highlighting for each and every board is this tremendously important and to include all of those wonderful students who have a passion for learning and for trying to to help with the the problem
that we have here. Thanks for that. Oh, of course. Of course. It it was really inspiring to see them. I mean, they they're all um graduate students coming to the program having already had a career. So, it's kind of like a
continuing education graduate program. So, there were physicists, engineers, community planners, you know, a wide range of of voices within that cohort. And I think that asset like that is an asset and it is
reflected in the final report. If you haven't had a chance to look through it, please do it. It is thorough and perhaps a little intimidating. It's 87 pages, but it it's exceptional. So,
thank you. Anyway, yes, I do have to run to school. Um, so, but please email me with any questions or thoughts. Thank you. Yeah, Gretchen, I interrupted you. That's okay.
Thank you. I mean, this is something that um I just noticed. I I haven't just noticed something I've been noticing for a long time. Um, when we talk about public
spaces in the town that the when you go up Pennsylvania Avenue to the entry of the Coast Guard base, it's a double wide with um median strips in the middle that have been landscaped and then neglected
and they're just a mess. And um I just think there's an opportunity there that something much better could be done and I will start researching that. But I believe Pennsylvania
is a city street. Um so I don't know the history of when those um planted medians were done. they just we could do better and that especially
since that is you know we we we are a Coast Guard community. We talk about um you know this pride that we have in the Coast Guard. If you go to other military bases and you go in the entry it does not look like that.
Um I think it could we could be putting on a better face um a better first impression. all the parents that are arriving for graduation every week. And I don't know if you know you know this, but the Coast Guard is ramping up. So instead of 5,000 recruits
graduating every year, their numbers are going to be more like seven or eight every year. Um that means year round we've got people from all over the country coming in here. and um you know maybe there's a partnership
that the city does with the Coast Guard Community Foundation and even possibly businesses would adopt an island. Um and even if it means, you know, a little plaque, this this island is sponsored by
Congress Hall or whatever. Um I think there's something that could be done there. So I don't have it all thought out. I just was thinking about it this morning. Um I'm willing to to make some calls, but just one
to the garden club, too. The garden club. I thought that Well, Mark said that. My husband said that and the garden club does a lot in taking care of community gardens. There's a lot of islands. Would they want that? I don't know if they're going to want to
take on more. Um, but I just think something something better can happen there. Thank you so much. Thank you. Any ideas, please? I'm going to send you something. Okay. Um,
to our agenda, I think it's the Monarch pledge we're going to talk about, right? Would you like to is going to do, aren't you? Monarch pledge. You're going to fill us in. I think um we we we do have the uh the landscape plan for Harborview Park. I'm
not sure you wish that. So on on the table, we have the big plan and I did hand out smaller plans. Um and this is just a plan that was put together for Harvard Park and has the
trees on and everything else. You want take a look at it. And this project's getting started when the fall. Can you this? There's the big one. Yeah, the big one's here is kind of small. Gretchen,
there's the big one. I know. I know you need a magnifying glass, but I'm just looking back over the species. I mean, they're not all native. Um,
that's a good. Yeah. Is this whole area going to be cleaned out and started over? Are we What's the plan? Do we know? Yes. Okay.
Yeah. And I think Yes. Well, Barbar, can we get rid of that? According to my husband, the compass rose is not accurately set. It's off a little bit.
So I don't when they first installed it. It might be if they're doing that to look at because my husband can't be going the wrong way. And as you stand there with your compass, you'll realize it's not it's
not really quite right. So, the city is doing all the work for this, right? Yes. And it was a county grant. Excellent. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um
do you know is there any discussion about um once you get it done if there's going to be more use of the park by the city? I mean years ago we did have yoga programs out there. I mean
okay There there were weddings out there too and and parties. I mean it was rental space. Is that true now or will Yeah.
Okay. So, do they actually rent it then? How about that? Well, it's absolutely exquisite. Looks great. And um actually this this piece of property was
when we were um in a lawsuit and trying to save a part of the harbor. This particular site was going to be three condo buildings and we fought to make sure that it was
open space. So that's essentially why we have a park. Yeah. And um we felt with the view of the the harbor was important for people to know about.
So that little piece of history I I would like to mention one thing today. Um in terms of connecting, you know, to nature. Um every day we are so
privileged to be in this beautiful area. Um and its natural beauty in terms of wetlands and sailing and and our beaches and our parks that we
we do have an investment of a human connection to nature. We really do. And I think that the nature center also even conducts uh walks along the beach certain days of the week, right? Are
they still doing that? I'm doing it. You're doing it. So, yeah. When do you do it? Wednesday mornings at 8:30 and um we do a walk at the cove and I just found out they're going to continue through September.
Wonderful. Um the other thing is that there has been a young lady in town um who has started something called Firefly Gardens
and this particular I'm going to read this little article to you from the um Herald and it says fire far yeah August 13th Firefly Gardens is a local
gardening network for those in need. Calling all gardeners, join Firefly Gardens today. It's a network of garden gardeners who are dedicated to growing and donating
their fresh produce to those in need. Founded in 2024, Firefly Gardens connects recreational gardens with local garden pantries to decrease food insecurity
and yet to support families in Cape May County through the donation of homegrown produce. You join for free. You receive a Firefly card. You donate fresh produce
to our local food pantries and then you get discounts at your favorite garden centers. So fresh produce is often missing from families who are suffering from food insecurity.
Meanwhile, many recreational gardeners struggle to make effective use of all the produce that their gardens yield. So we feel that this is a good way for us to be a part of the community to help
people and make differences in their lives. Joining is free, donating is fun, saving is smart. So for more information to join, please visit
firefly gardensj.org. So, if that can go into our minutes, that would be fabulous. If anyone has any vegetables to donate to this group, they will end up in the right hands. So,
and these folks did did reach out and they said that um Middle Township Environmental Commission did add Firefly Gardens um as one of their projects. And
these energetic folks will appreciate any kind of publicity we can give them. Nice. And I think that we could even be planting vegetables now. Can't we plant
carrots year round? And what else? All the rabbits, beets, and lettuce and spinach and broccoli and cauliflower and Yeah, there's a lot. I mean, I've that's what I've been doing in my retirement. Put in a big vegetable garden um at Rachel
Polarmo's house. Um and we're really we don't get a frost until November. So, there is time to do another season of plantings. So, I'm I'm learning more that I used to do the
basic tomatoes and peppers and all of that and then it was done. But really we've we have a lot more time. Um, wonderful. So, outstanding news for us. Thank you.
Anyone else have for the good of the group to mention today? Anything more with the Monarch pledge? Yeah. Yep. So, I um I hand out a flyer for the Monarch pledge.
Um, And on it, I I brought this up a couple months ago. On it, I have highlighted the uh five sections that we chose as a city to get um reertified for the Monarch
pledge. Um a lot of them can be done at the Monarch Fest, which I think something we need to talk about too before we journ. Um so I was hoping you guys just take a look at and see what we chose. Um, I think three or four of the five we can do at the festival itself and then
there's a couple more we need to do on the side. Um, some of them are up Gretchen's alley for sure with the wildflower plantings and hopefully we can get a hold of some seeds and things like that. Um, but there is expiration date. We need to get this done by um the end of this year. Um,
and most of this is the same thing that has to be done for the community wildlife habitat. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So, I was just hoping that everybody can take a look at it and kind of give feedback. And then also, I think um the Monarch Festival is September
28th. 28th is that what it is. Um and I know in the past we've I think we've had I've never been part of one, so it's my first year doing it. So, um I think last year the environmental commission had a table there. We did have a table again. How do we arrange for that?
um contacting the nature center and will you do that for us, David? We'll need a table or two. We usually share with uh Westgate May and their environmental. We did share last year with Westgate May's environmental commission.
They were there last year, but they were there the year before. They were year before we did our Okay. Does anybody know where our banner is big tables last year? What we did? We do have you have the banners, right? Yes, I have I have two banners. Thank you.
No, they're all they're locked up. Um great. But so I'm going to reach out to the nature center and then confirm tables. Um I don't have contacts where I can get I'm not I haven't worked with West Environmental Commission for West Kate May either, but they you
know they have a a spot at the farmers market every week. Did you know that they were Yeah, I'm at work during the time. I mean I know. Do you want me to call call them? I know some people. Yeah. I just I I wasn't I mean Hillary Pritchard Hillary Pritchard I think
is still on it. Yeah. Yeah. So I mean I have no problem in contacting the nature center by any means and just getting the tables reserved but I I guess I can ask him that question. If you want to reach out to Westma that's fine. But okay, I just thinking though um when we do get
tables and I'm pretty sure we'll get invited there if we can do some things to adhere to those highlighted areas for sure. Um if you want to take a look at it and if you want to shoot me an email say hey let's do this this and this fine. Um we do
have a budget with some money that we can maybe get some materials if needed. um that does take time. So I think whatever activities you want to do, I would recommend you focus on this now and get this done quickly so we can get everything ordered
if need be and get organized and then decide who wants to participate at the festival itself. I unfortunately will be out of the country during that that festival. I can um if you like I can shoot an email to
everybody on the commission and see who like to attend and so everybody who'll know who would be there and who would like to do what I can set that up for sure but I think we definitely need to look at this now to kind of make sure it gets done. I was I I think also there was the um Monarch
Wild is there a group called Monarch Wildlife something and it was a couple girls that were there Monarch Monitoring Project. I don't know that it's the Monitoring Project. I had her card. She gave me her card. Let us know if we can help you with anything. Um I think people of their own.
Yeah, there was a group that was like a private business ed educators. They were trying to make a deal like going into schools, but that it wasn't a nonprofit. It was a Yeah. Um, look it up. Anyway, this year they are they have a
special guest that I know that they're this um prestigious researcher. Okay. Um, from Mexico um right who does a lot of conservation work in Mexico is coming up and is a guest speaker.
Um, she'll be there. I know that, you know, more is happening that it's getting more support from the Kate May Bird Observatory and all of the work that they do in the Monarch Monitoring Project. So, it's it's
getting more support internally in New Jersey. It's not just the nature center that's running this. Um, so that's exciting. Um yeah, we just have to just We can have a table. Do you have any ideas what we
want to do at that table? Yeah, if you can just base those ideas around just to kind of help out with I mean we have what's our next meeting um right before the festival.
So, we should really kind of talk about Yeah, it's the 23rd is the next environmental commission meeting and the event is the 28th. Um, I can tell you that those who have volunteered before who have been like Jill and Fred who have been involved
with the nature center for years and years and and Amy um and myself and here's another volunteer But but we all um are putting together
the crafts again because they're just going bananas. They love to do it. They just love to do it. So um I think that's very hands-on and that's what we always wanted at the festival to have the hands-on but as a
commission to get some information into adults, right? Um the the flyer that Jersey friendly yards has put out. It's like a three-fold flyer about
um especially like coastal native species which all of them happen to be great butterfly plants too. It's a really nice printed brochure. if we could get copies of that as handouts and then maybe if we
have some funding we could get seed packets. Yeah. So, um we have apologize. We have $9,300 in change in the budget still to use. Um so I'm glad you said. So, one of the the highlight areas which
hopefully we can kind of come up with a plan today is um the plant milkweed or pollinator friendly plants along roadsides, mediums or public rightways. Um so there's a location you can think of. We did speak about that um empty spot at
the new nature trail which I think would be very good but um we do got to either order those plants or get seeds and start planting things now. Um the season come season be fall. So yeah, I mean, so if there's a location you guys can
think of, we can start looking into um because it's going to take some time to get it obviously approved all that, but if there's a spot you think of now, I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I would assume they would consider that location one of those um public right away, I guess,
maybe. Um I think it'd be a great spot. It's it's shaded. It's kind of help show off the new nature trail also. Well, that area that's all it's just dirt disturbed. Yeah. When we walked along the Yeah. I mean that could be done through seed. Yeah. And
which would be we are planting Yeah. milkweed. So we had milkweed seed. So um I don't know if anybody Well, two that's wonderful. There's two things you know properly preparing the bed and then adding the
seed in and then probably putting salt hay or something to wash it. Yeah. Um, and then you cross your fingers and hope it works because there's it can't it's not irrigated. You hope you get enough. But planting in the fall for milkweed is fine.
Yeah. Yeah. That's what I'm thinking now would be kind of good time to decide if you want to. But what we could do if there's some funding I I think it's Pinland's nursery that will do individual seed packets
and you can um design the packet. It could say the city of Cape May like they will package it for you with a label. Yeah. Um Yeah. And we could give those out to homeowners. I love it.
With information. I mean, definitely crafts for kids, but something for That's right. for adults. So, would this be able to get printed and brought to us by that date because I'm I'm thinking this can contain this can take place of our our doom day this
year. Um, I only have so much time on my end to kind of organize it all. Um, but yeah, so we have like very limited time. So that's what I'm thinking if if for now maybe just getting the plants and seeds available to start doing the planting would be a good start and then
also talk to them about I'll call I'll I'll contact Pinland's nursery when I get Yeah. And they'll be able to do the seeds or we New Jersey ordered the seed packets and we did that one one year. So wonderful. Um
are you familiar with um milkweed seed balls? Um, yeah. You mean like to throw into a meadow? Yeah. Yeah, that's a great activity to do. Um, and we've done that at the nature center and just threw them into our a meadow.
Um, so that that's a great activity. I mean, homeowners probably want a little control where they're planting. Um, so giving them a CPAC and then giving them the information, right, is
that's a good idea. Um, so I think between planting the or printing the brochures from Jerseyy's backyard, if Jersey friendly yards I I'm I'll contact them and see if they
would send them to us because they print them on like a a glossy. See if they would send us a couple hundred. Okay. Um, uh, Jersey friendly yards, yards, flyers.
I mean, not to use I mean, not this is not that it's monarchs specifically, but we still have that big poster that's about light pollution and how it affects wildlife and even dur you know, even monarchs during the day or when they're flying or whatever. I mean, it's a good poster. We
wanted just to hang that up there. um for information we should have all of our information the or the flyers about water conservation. Yeah, I can print all those up. Just go back one more time though. So for the location and for you guys
understand so when you go to a new nature trail right before you actually start going to the board itself to the right hand side down the trail there's an empty spot I say this is about why is this room here and that's what we're kind of talking about location of plants
should we try to take a look people take a look at it but I'm have to there's going to be some backend work to get it approved and so are you talking about doing plugs in their plugs or seeds. I mean, I I think maybe both. I mean, plugs and seeds. Um, and
hey, I'm I'm pretty sure I can I can but it's going to take time to get to order them to get them in and I don't know if you want to take a walk out back out there and take a look at the location, but I think it' be a good thing to start on. Okay. And since we're talking about the
nature trail, are we going to do anything about putting up signage and getting the little kids involved with about the scavenger like having like we haven't moved anywhere on getting signage out there, have we?
Not yet. No. So maybe if we do the planting at the nature trail, um I think having a sign there speaking to that would be a good idea and then maybe on the same sign you can have incorporate it with the scavenger hunt
all on the same sign. Then you can kind of get everything done at once. Sign is all we need to do that. Yeah. But are we going to just wait and hope for this to come to fruition in the spring since it's I think in a way it's
a good wintertime project to work on it to get the information that we want with the idea of like unveil it at Earth Day and hopefully milkeed seeds are popping up. Yeah. So maybe a good first step would be
find a location which we think we found and then start doing seeds and plugs and then the spring maybe installing even the sign. Where do we get the signs? Are they There's a couple people local. Yeah. Yeah, we got a couple people that can make them
have designed. Yeah. What you know, the one other thing if if we did try to do a planting day or anything out at the nature trail, there's a lot of invasive species too in the woods. Like doing if you could get a
community day and pull the porcelain berry and there's English ivy. Um, it's a it's not fun, but that's it's in the woods there and we could be doing more to kind of enhance the the woodland.
Um, okay. Yeah. I mean, you got to keep the invasives at bay. Yeah. first before you I again I you could reach out or I could I'll reach out to New Jersey Audabon their steward stewardship department
has people that are on the it's called the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team or strike force. Um they can give guidance. Yeah. Um, and
we could try to tackle some of that because what's going to happen is you if if you don't if you put in that milkweed meadow and don't control the invasives coming out of the woods, they're going to start smothering Yeah. the meadow.
We have It's a constant battle at the nature center with our meadow. Yeah. Well, do they I mean the master waterershed stores are all about conservation and doing doing that. I don't know that we have a strong enough program in this area there.
I would be at a Ruckers right or the wershed ambassador can do that. The problem is like September they're just starting a new class of stewards and they um you know
that could be something that they do in the early spring do a invasive species pull but so for now um if you want I don't I don't know if we might need to measure how big the look
the spot is if you're able to get a quote of like the seeds and plugs from the nature center and I can show city management the location further thoughts and I'll walk out I'll I'm on my bike. I'll go there on my way home. Okay.
I'm pretty good at pacing off distances and estimating the area so we can get some estimates and then contact Pelands and see like how much how many pounds of seed we need. Yeah. I just need like a quote and then Yeah. Yeah. Is that pretty? We can get a pretty good ballpark
number, I think. And then if we want to shoot for a middle of October, kind of like we did last year with doomday, it' be a nice time to start like second week of October. So if we can get like the quote in the mount, the location approvals,
then we can start. Yeah. Even so milkeed seed even it needs stratification which is cold. So Even if you plant put the seed in the field and they don't germinate now,
that's that's fine. They need the winter. So, we're just like preparing the ground, the seeds in there and then then the you know the cold of winter prepares the seed so that it germinates first. So, we may not see anything. It's
just yeah, we're doing everything that's needed. And I'll, you know, I know that the the seed cataloges, they give you all that information of how to prepare a meadow and how to do it. Um, cool.
I mean, yeah, you can put plugs in. That helps, too. I think I'm g a nice visual, too. Yeah. To say that we did something. Well, yeah, that, too. I know. Okay. So, you look into the quote. Yeah. I'll get you some numbers. I'll do
that. And we're thinking second week of October hopefully. Um, if you could do it after October 17th, I'm I'm going to be on a vacation and I'll be back. Perfect.
17th. I don't even know what day of the week that is. Is there anything else for the good of the group today. Yeah. Thank you all for being here. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. And just have um our next beach camp is going to be
September 25th. No, this is the 25th. I'm sorry. Yes. September 25th is our next one. Okay. The beach going to be Yeah. The beach cleanup for Queens Community. That's going to be at the Perry Street entrance. Yep. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you for all who've helped and keep us thinking and keep us working. So, we greatly appreciate your efforts. And you can turn off your mics.