EarthShare New Jersey (ESNJ) is hosting the 7th annual Green Day Challenge to get businesses involved with our environment. This challenge invites employers large and small from across the state to partner with an ESNJ member or friend for an environmental project (projects are available in most counties). Once the project is complete, the team and site will be evaluated for overall scope and impact by panelists. The results will be tabulated and awards will be presented for Best Overall Challenge, Team Work, Spirit, and more at EarthShare Celebrates NJ on June 9, 2023 at Patterson Family Barn! Each company participating receives 1 ticket to attend the celebration!
The 2023 list of project venues are being finalized. Check back often. When the list is posted below, simply select your venue and submit the reservation form with your commitment. Sites are not reserved until payment is received.
Each 3 – 4 hour volunteer event at a site you select includes water, supplies, tools and guidance. The participation fee also includes a donation. Lunch can be added for an additional cost.
Fill out the below reservation form. Email the form to info@earthsharenj.org or mail to the EarthShare NJ office, 407 Greenwood Ave Suite 209 Trenton NJ, 08609. Payment may be made via check mailed to our office or may be paid online below. If you have any questions please contact info@earthsharenj.org or call (609) 989-1160 to register your team! Sites are not reserved until payment is received.
The following projects have been developed specifically for the Green Day Challenge. All sites are hosted by a registered 501(c)3 organization that is affiliated with EarthShare NJ as a member or friend.
Burlington County Vineland 10-20 Volunteers Mornings or Afternoons of April 14
We need help preparing a new building! Volunteers will be prepping and painting a shipping container that will be used to help store extra materials for our growing animal hospital. Our original building was built to house and treat 500 animals a year and we have surpassed that by treating over 6,000 animals a year. To use our hospital to the best of our abilities, we will use shipping containers to hold our extra supplies of our most used items. Prepping and painting this container is not only aesthetically pleasing but also adds an extra layer of protection from harsh weather and can significantly slow down corrosion or rusting on the steel. This will help prevent any types of holes where other animals can gain access and ruin supplies as well as keep the interior dry during bad weather.
Cumberland County Bridgeton 5-15 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 14
Help us maintain our garden! The objective of this project is the removal of a 150-foot span of wooden fencepost to be replaced with new galvanized steel fenceposts. Volunteers will help with clean-up, lifting fence posts, pouring concrete and filling in previous holes.
Hudson County Jersey City Up to 30 Volunteers Mornings of April 14
This urban oasis provides a refuge for millions annually. Spring is an important time of year for the care and feeding of the hundreds of trees across the park. Volunteers will be fertilizing and mulching trees and beds.
Mercer County Hopewell 5-15 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon April 28
Help us take back this overgrown area! Invasives have taken over and we are looking for volunteers to remove invasive plants and plant new native species. There is plenty of work for several teams, so please sign up for a spot and help us take back this hidden gem!
Mercer County Hopewell 5-15 Volunteers Morning of April 14
Our trails have some wet areas, will you help us to build boardwalks over the wetland areas? Participants need to be able to use a hammer and help carry the lumber up to a mile on the trail.
Essex County Newark Up to 50 Volunteers Morning of April 28
Volunteers will help with the removal of invasive Knotweed and Phragmites in this beautiful corner of Newark. Knotweed and Phragmites alike, cause a decrease in biodiversity in both plants and animal communities, degrade water quality, and damage human infrastructures like paths and bridges. Volunteers who help to remove such invasive species are bringing a positive impact to our park and community. Volunteers should expect to be doing some if not all the following work; prune, groom rake, cultivate, and water, assist with plant installations, create and maintain restoration projects, and general debris removal.
Monmouth County Keansburg Up to 26 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 28
Help us keep our beaches clean! We will be doing a beach clean-up along the Jersey Shore. Work will include walking along the beach and picking up debris.
Monmouth County Long Branch 16-26 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 28
Help us continue to grow this little gem of a park in Long Branch NJ. With the help of volunteers, we’ve been able to transform this abandoned lot to a respite for people and animals to enjoy. Work for the challenge will include weeding gardens, removing invasive vines, and spreading mulch as well as a general clean-up.
Morris/Sussex County Landing 5-15 Volunteers Morning of April 14
We want to keep our trails clean and beautiful. Help us with trail maintenance around our beautiful lake area so that visitors can enjoy our area. Volunteers will perform trail maintenance tasks like clearing and general cleanup.
Ocean County Seaside up to 26 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 28
Help us keep our beaches clean! We will be doing a beach clean-up along the Jersey Shore. Work will include walking along the beach and picking up debris with a grabber.
Somerset County Hillsborough up to 26 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 28
This area has recently been acquired and is in need of a clean-up for public use. There are invasive species in need of removal. Additionally, there is a need to install protection from deer around the area before planting new native plants. Volunteers will help with all aspects of this project and the results will benefit everyone who visits this great space!
The Following Projects are ALL RESERVED!
Bergen County Englewood 5-15 Volunteers Mornings or Afternoons of April 14 or 28
Reserved AM April 14
Reserved AM April 28
Come assist in trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, and/or native planting at this pristine 150 acre facility. There are no special skills required.
Bergen County Leonia 5-15 Volunteers Morning of April 14
Reserved AM April 28
Join us for a riverbed cleanup. Volunteers will walk along the banks of the water in search of deposited/discarded trash to collect. We strive to remove as much litter as possible from the Hackensack River, and our efforts will prevent this pollution from floating downriver toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Bergen County Teaneck 5-25 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 14
Reserved AM April 14
The focus of this project will be cleaning out and tidying up a Meditative Labyrinth. Volunteers will work with a landscaper to complete activities such as planting, removing invasive plant species, and beautifying the area.
Burlington County Vineland 10-20 Volunteers Mornings or Afternoons of April 28
Reserved AM April 28
We need help preparing a new building! Volunteers will be prepping and painting a shipping container that will be used to help store extra materials for our growing animal hospital. Our original building was built to house and treat 500 animals a year and we have surpassed that by treating over 6,000 animals a year. To use our hospital to the best of our abilities, we will use shipping containers to hold our extra supplies of our most used items. Prepping and painting this container is not only aesthetically pleasing but also adds an extra layer of protection from harsh weather and can significantly slow down corrosion or rusting on the steel. This will help prevent any types of holes where other animals can gain access and ruin supplies as well as keep the interior dry during bad weather.
Essex County Newark 5-15 Volunteers Morning of April 28
Reserved AM April 28
Volunteers can help with planting, weeding, mulching, and other farm tasks as needed. Special projects may include tree planting, working on an irrigation system, or other projects.
Hudson County Jersey City Up to 30 Volunteers Morning April 28
Reserved AM April 28
This urban oasis provides a refuge for millions annually. Spring is an important time of year for the care and feeding of the hundreds of trees across the park. Volunteers will be fertilizing and mulching trees and beds.
Mercer County Hopewell 16-25 Volunteers Morning of April 28
Reserved AM April 28
Our trails have some wet areas, will you help us to build boardwalks over the wetland areas? Participants need to be able to use a hammer and help carry the lumber up to a mile on the trail.
Mercer County Lambertville 5-15 Volunteers Afternoon of April 14
Reserved PM April 14
Come enjoy a day along the river supporting our natural habitat by eliminating trash that washes into our waterways. This area will include Cavallo Park and the D&R Canal.
Mercer County Pennington 5-15 Volunteers Morning of April 14
Reserved AM April 14
Help us to clear space for a new meadow! Volunteers will use loppers and hand saws to remove woody plants.
Middlesex County Matawan 10 – 25 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 14
Reserved AM April 14
Help with the restoration, revegetation, and plantings around this public lake and picnic area surrounded by engaging hiking trails. There is work for all levels of volunteers, and the work will impact the experience of thousands of guests annually!
Monmouth County Highlands 26 or more Volunteers Morning or Afternoon April 28
Reserved AM April 28
Join us as we plant beachgrass on the dunes of a beach in Monmouth County. Participants are required to bend down and dig 6-8 inch holes in the sand using a trowel or stick and plant various plant species in the sand.
Monmouth County Long Branch 16-26 Volunteers Mornings or Afternoons of April 14
Reserved AM April 14
Help us continue to grow this little gem of a park in Long Branch NJ. With the help of volunteers, we’ve been able to transform this abandoned lot to a respite for people and animals to enjoy. Work for the challenge will include weeding gardens, removing invasive vines, and spreading mulch as well as a general clean-up.
Morris/Sussex County Landing 5-15 Volunteers Morning of April 28
Reserved AM April 28
We want to keep our trails clean and beautiful. Help us with trail maintenance around our beautiful lake area so that visitors can enjoy our area. Volunteers will perform trail maintenance tasks like clearing and general cleanup.
Ocean County Toms River 5-15 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 28
Reserved AM April 28
Help us keep our eco center demonstration garden beautiful! Volunteers will be helping us with spring native garden prep, including cleaning, trimming and planting as well as other gardening tasks.
Somerset County Hillsborough up to 26 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 14
Reserved PM April 14
This area has recently been acquired and is in need of a clean-up for public use. There are invasive species in need of removal. Additionally, there is a need to install protection from deer around the area before planting new native plants. Volunteers will help with all aspects of this project and the results will benefit everyone who visits this great space!
Union County Summit 5-15 Volunteers Morning or Afternoon of April 14
Reserved AM April 14
Invasive Task Force- Join the Horticulture Department on its endeavor to remove invasive plants threatening our historic collection of more than 200 different native plants and 400 species of rare and unique plants!
Union County Summit 5-15 Volunteers Mornings or Afternoons of April 14 or 28
Reserved AM April 28
Historic Daffodil Bowl Planting- we boast a bowl-shaped glacial kettle where a plethora of daffodils bloom every April. It is a destination for thousands of visitors. Every few years the display needs to be augmented with additional blubs. Join us to plant bulbs! No special skills required.
