Green Day Challenge

 

EarthShare New Jersey
Green Day Challenge

 

April 12, 2024 & April 26, 2024

 

Are you up for the challenge?

EarthShare New Jersey (ESNJ) is hosting the 9th 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 partner 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 7, 2024 at Patterson Family Barn! Each company participating receives 1 ticket to attend the celebration!

The 2024 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.  

1 – 5 Employees              $  600
6 – 15 Employees           $  850
16 – 25 Employees          $1,100
26 – 40 Employees          $2,100
41+ Employees          negotiable

To Register:

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. Checks are preferred. If paying by credit card, there is a 3% fee associated with payment. 

Registration Due Date:
April 12th- Last Day to Register us March 25, 2024
April 26th- Last Day to Register is April 12, 2024

2024 Green Day Challenge Reservation 

 

 

2024 Challenge Sites

Challenge sites will be posted as they are defined.  Projects can be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.  

Check back often!

Waterfront Clean Up
Bergen County
Morning of April 12 or 26
Reserved Morning April 12
Litter cleanup in preparation for the 2024 outdoor on-water recreation season at this relatively new and VERY popular Bergen County park. All supplies and equipment provided along with refreshments/lunch. Volunteers should dress for the weather in clothing that WILL get dirty. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes a MUST. Max Volunteers- 40

Boardwalk Construction
Bergen County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Help us to install a new ADA compliant boardwalk trail in the Native Habitat section of our preserve. Max Volunteers – 35

Trail Maintenance  
Bergen County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Warmer weather is coming, help us keep our trails beautiful so they can be enjoyed by all! We will be clearing debris, roots and invasive plants to keep our trails safe.  Max Volunteers – 35

Invasive Plant Removal/Native Planting
Bergen County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Keep our park beautiful by helping us protect our native habitat. We will be removing invasive species in our woods to allow our native plants and wildlife to thrive.  Max Volunteers – 35

Native Plant Garden Maintenance & Expansion
Bergen County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Project will include a variety of tasks related to the maintenance and expansion of our native plant garden which resides in and around the Peace Labyrinth. Max Volunteers – 50

Trail Maintenance
Bergen County
Morning of April 12 or 26
Volunteers can expect to help with trail maintenance, removal of invasive species, clearing of debris, helping to spread gravel and mulch across trails and driveway. Volunteers should be able to walk on uneven ground and be able to carry roughly 30lbs to help with some larger tasks. Max Volunteers – 25

Aquatic Laboratory
Cape May County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
The “Lab” houses the Center’s seasonal aquarium displays which is open to the public from mid-April to mid-October. During the off-season we will need to do some painting, exhibit redesign, and general maintenance to give the space a full makeover. Max Volunteers -25

Story Walk
Cape May County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
 A story walk is a book-guided nature trail situated around a property by “dissecting” a book and placing the laminated pages on sequentially numbered boards. We have the display boards but need to remount them and create a new map for participants to use.  Max Volunteers -10

Welcome Center Makeover
Cape May County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Help us beautify our Welcome Center. Several rooms need to be painted and help us purge some unused items to make space for new projects. This project will also include a makeover of the Nature Nook area, – our second floor interactive “please touch” area. Max Volunteers -20

Wildlife Friendly Display Gardens
Cape May County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
We always can use the assistance of volunteers to do general property maintenance: grass cutting, pruning, invasive species pulling and garden work in our wildlife-friendly display gardens. April is the perfect time to do garden clean-up and prep for the upcoming growing season. Max Volunteers -20

Beach Clean-Up
Cape May County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
 Our Center sits along the edge of Cape May Harbor. Help us conduct our  “beach sweeps” to collect marine debris accumulated along the shoreline and at the nearby Fisherman’s Memorial. Max Volunteers -20

Volunteer at an Urban Farm
Essex County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Volunteers will help with various projects at the farm. May include planting, weeding, harvesting, building, watering and getting dirty! Max Volunteers -25

Beautifying A Historic Park
Hudson County
Morning  of April  26
 Contribute to the beautification of this historic and important park. Max Volunteers -50

Trail Maintence
Mercer County
Morning of April 12
Reserved Morning April 12
Help us keep our trails accessible to all! We will be walking the trails and removing invasive species, roots and other obstacles in order to keep our beautiful trails accessible.    Max Volunteers – 15

Garlic Pull
Mercer County
Morning of April 26
Help remove garlic mustard on the island trails. This highly invasive plant is crowding out vulnerable native plant populations in the fragile ecosystem or the marshlands.  Max Volunteers – 25

Park Resortation
Monmouth County
Morning of April 26
Get our park ready for summer! We will be doing spring cleaning as well as restoration of our park. The day will be spend removing invasive species, cleaning gardens and planting trees.   Max Volunteers – 40

Beach Clean Up
Monmouth County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Reserved Morning April 26
Help us keep our beaches clean and safe for wildlife.  Max Volunteers – 40

Help Construct Green Infrastructure Educational Display in our Outdoor Classroom
Ocean County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Participants would engage in skills based volunteering by helping us construct a three tier rain barrel and swale to handle stormwater that runs off the roof of our EcoCenter.  The small swale needs to be dug by hand and fabric and stones need to be arranged alongside a native plant garden. The final step of this project would be the installation of the educational signage next to the designated features.. Max Volunteers – 25

Construction of Kayak and Canoe Racks
Ocean County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Help us get ready to launch our new 19 Rivers campaign where we help to draw connections between water quality and the 19 rivers, creeks, and streams that flow into Barnegat Bay. To prepare for this we have obtained 20 kayaks and canoes to help people get out on the water, but we need to construct kayak and canoe racks for storage. Max Volunteers – 25

Podcast Studio
Ocean County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Help us design and install a small podcast studio at the EcoCenter. This would be a skill based volunteer opportunity that would require knowledge and skills in both sound and technology. This is a project more suitable for a smaller group as the room the studio will be going in is small. Max Volunteers – 15

Mucking out a vernal pond
Somerset County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12
Every few years when the ponds are “dried up,” we must remove the excess sediment so that the ponds don’t fill in. Three to four people maximum for this activity but can be done in shifts as well. Removal of excess sediment is important for several species of amphibians that only successfully reproduce in vernal ponds (ponds that dry up in the summer). Max Volunteers – 10

Clearing Firebreaks
Somerset County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12
Ensures safety of surrounding areas during controlled burns. Clearing firebreaks usually includes cutting a 10-foot-wide swath through Japanese barberry and multiflora rose. Max Volunteers – 70

Cutting Invasive Plants
Somerset County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12
Pull, dig, and cut are examples of methods used at Scherman Hoffman for controlling invasive plant species, such as Japanese barberry. This shrub, if not controlled, can change the landscape by choking out other native plants necessary for a thriving wildlife habitat. Max Volunteers – 70

Train Maintenance
Somerset County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12
  We welcome over 4,500 visitors a year who participate in a variety of either indoor or outdoor programs. Many visitors come just to walk the trails, bird watch, or just enjoy the peacefulness of the sanctuary. Each year, the woodchip strewn trails require maintenance to restore the integrity of the trail and protect the dirt from erosion, especially after heavy rains. Max Volunteers – 70

Weeding and Translanting Ferns
Somerset County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12
Reserved Morning April 12
Ferns are native plants and have been planted and relocated throughout the Sanctuary over the years. This weeding project is important because it allows the ferns to spread more, which gives them more of an advantage. Overall, ferns as a dominant plant species in targeted areas provide cost savings in time and labor as well as fuel (less need to mow). Ferns also have a dense, fibrous root system that holds the soil, which provides erosion control. Ferns also provide habitat for wildlife including ground-nesting birds. Max Volunteers – 70

Interior Painting or Cleaning
Somerset County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12
Help needed in organizing and clearing a much needed storage space. Possibility of painting 1-2 rooms, depending on skill sets.
Max Volunteers – 10

Trail Maintenance
Sussex County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Volunteers will clear paths, trim back overgrowth, and re-blaze select segments of our 11 miles of trail. Max Volunteers- 25

Spruce Up
Sussex County
Morning or Afternoon of April 26
A selection of projects will be available for those who like to get their hands dirty! Tasks for the day may include camp firewood stacking, trail clearing, invasive plant removal, digging for a new shed foundation, painting and/or trash cleanup. Max Volunteers- 40

Trail Maintenance
Warren County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
The trails at Wattles frequently need maintenance to keep the paths accessible to visitors. Fallen branches and overgrown vegetation can obstruct the path, and trails need to be monitored to ensure they are in good condition. These activities may include removing fallen branches or trees, cutting back vegetation by hand, and maintaining trail signage. Max Volunteers- 25

Invasive Species Removal
Warren County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
Invasive plants degrade wildlife habitat by crowding out native plants that wildlife need for food and shelter. Some plants can be removed by hand pulling; others require a combination of hand cutting and herbicide application. Volunteers are needed to assist in hand cutting invasive plants. Max Volunteers- 25

Painting and Carpentry
Warren County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
The Stewardship Center and surrounding buildings need some cosmetic touch-ups from time to time. Many outside doors need to be re-painted or touched up. For anyone particularly handy, there are a variety of odd jobs inside the office building. Max Volunteers- 25

Pollinator Garden Maintenance
Warren County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
The garden needs weeding and pruning throughout the growing season. At times, there may be opportunities for planting as well. Max Volunteers- 25

Sinkhole Management
Warren County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
To ensure the safety of visitors, sinkholes need to be well market. This involves installing fencing around sinkholes. Max Volunteers- 25

Stream Clean Up
Warren County
Morning or Afternoon of April 12 or 26
The Musconetcong River and tributaries that run through the property and important features of the landscape for wildlife. Trash drifts downstream and washes up on the banks creating hazards for birds, turtles, fish, and other species that use the stream. Help is needed to walk the trail along the stream, picking up any litter found around the water. Max Volunteers- 25

 

Last Day to Register for April 28th Challenges is April 14th!

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!

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.

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!


No Longer Accepting Reservations for April 14th Challenges

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. 

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. 

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.   

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. 

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.


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. 

 

Since the introduction of this program in 2016, over 25 teams have participated in the challenge. More than 375 volunteers have spent over 1,504 hours cleaning beaches, blazing trails, hanging deer fencing, planting, mulching, removing waste, and more.  The challenge continues to grow every year!

The 2023 Green Day Challenge will take place on April 14th and April 28th, 2023. If you want to participate with your team, contact info@earthsharenj.org to learn more and register!