The Rumson Environmental Commission is thrilled to partner with Clean Ocean Action once again this year to bring the fifth annual Rally for the Two Rivers Eco-fest to Victory Park on Saturday, June 3rd. This FREE annual family friendly event is a fun-filled day of educational activities that help illustrate ways YOU can help protect our local waterways. Hundreds of families come out each year to take the Passport Challenge! Attendees received a stamp after completing a fun game or activity at each of the tables to earn enough stamps to complete the challenge and head out to local businesses to redeem for a special treat or discount. To reduce the environmental footprint we encouraged folks to walk, ride a bike or carpool, bring a reusable water bottle to refill at the water station, only accept giveaways that you will use, and access information online instead of taking handouts.

Since 2018 the Rumson Environmental Commission, in collaboration with Clean Ocean Action, has hosted this Eco-Fest in the spring to celebrate our most unique natural resource, the two rivers. Each year hundreds of people come out to this family-friendly community event to learn ways we can help protect our rivers for generations to come. Organizations, schools and clubs host tables with fun educational activities for children and adults alike. Joining COA and the Rumson EC this year are American Littoral Society, Rumson Junior Green Team, Mission Milkweed , Little Silver Environmental Commission, Fair Haven Green Team, Mazza Recycling, Garden Club of Fair Haven, Master Gardeners of Monmouth County, Navesink Maritime Heritage Association, the Rumson Department of Public Works, the Rumson Fair Haven High School Crew Club, Monmouth County Parks, Monmouth Museum, NJ Sea Grant Consortium, NJ Audubon, Oceanport Water Watch Committee, Rumson Shade Tree Commission, Rumson Garden Club, Seabright Solar, Waterspirit, RFH Project Terrapin and more. Providing entertainment this year is Pop Radio 77. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to host an in-person event in 2020, but please check out the virtual toolkit link below for fun videos on a variety of environmental topics. Please contact Kristen Hall at info.rumson.environemntal@gmail.com if you would like to join or help with this event in any way.

Learn about the Rally For The Rivers Waterway Mindfulness Toolkit

The Rumson Environmental Commission is partnering with American Littoral Society to host a free Rain Garden Ambassador Training Workshops. The first was held on January 25th at Bingham Hall. This workshop is a part of the $30,000 in grants received from Sustainable Jersey, PSEG Foundation and New Jersey American Water to install and promote Green Infrastructure projects in Rumson Borough.

MOVIES FOR THE WATERWAYS

“Movies for the Waterways” is a collaborative project that aims to foster a better understanding of how our actions impact our delicate ecosystem. The Rumson Environmental Commission, together with stakeholders that share the Navesink River watershed, will screen films with an environmental message with the hope of raising awareness about protecting our natural resources.

COMMUNITY 'DINNER & MOVIE' NIGHT: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2019

Together with the American Littoral Society, The Rumson Environmental Commission screened the award-winning documentary film The Oyster Farmers, which beautifully illustrates life on the Barnegat Bay for oyster farmers who are trying to bring these delicious and environmentally beneficial bivalves back to New Jersey waters. (See the movie trailer here.)

Forty North Oyster Farms, featured in the film, brought in a raw bar, rolled up their sleeves and shucked fresh oysters for the guests during the cocktail hour. As the film played on multiple screens throughout room, attendees enjoyed a casual and delicious prefix dinner. Afterward American Littoral Society and Forty North Oysters hosted a Q&A filled with lively and thoughtful questions.

SECOND ANNUAL MOVIE NIGHT FOR THE WATERWAYS ENVIRONMENTAL THEME: ALL DRAINS LEAD TO THE OCEAN (AND RIVERS)

More than 50 children attended the second annual Movies for the Waterways event at Surf on Tuesday January 29, 2019. The Forrestdale Middle School Environmental Club kicked off the event with a presentation to help the kids understand what Environmental themes to look for in the film. Cindy Zipf from Clean Ocean Action played a fun and informative guessing game before the movie and Forrestdale science teacher Jen Crow played an educational game of Kahoot after the film.

If you would like more information or if you would like to host a film at your local place of business, please contact Kristen Hall at 917.733.8235 or kristen.rumson.environmental@gmail.com.

ANNUAL CLEAN UP YOUR PARKS DAY

Each Spring town residents come out to help clean up five of Rumson’s parks used for spring sports: Meadowridge Park, Victory Park, Rogers Park, Piping Rock Park & Riverside Park. The Rumson Department of Public Works provides bags and gloves and the Rumson Environmental Commission provides prizes for the most unique garbage finds.

Kids and families have the opportunity to lean more about proper recycling in Rumson Borough and community service hours are provided. Thank you for joining our community to help start the season off right with clean parks!