ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
About the EC
The Fanwood Environmental Commission is a statutory board of eight regular members and two alternates. The regular members include Liaison (Planning Board) & Liaison (Town Council).
Our charge includes studying and making recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resource management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, and protection of flora and fauna.
Members of the Environmental Commission are also caretakers of the Fanwood Nature Center located just off Cray Terrace. The entrance is accessible from alongside the powerlines as well as from the parking lot of the Bible Chapel on Terrill Road. The Fanwood Nature Center was established in 1974.
The Environmental Commission coordinates volunteer activities to maintain the Nature Center as well as the Municipal building flower beds. Volunteer opportunities begin in late March, and continue through October. Please email if interested in volunteering. The Commission also holds a youth day event in the Nature Center, in the Fall. Look for announcements and dates in our most recent Environmental Commission meeting notes, posted below.
Email: Fanwood.EC.1895@gmail.com
Our Mission
We promote the conservation, protection, development, or use of all Fanwood’s natural and water resources by:
- Planning & implementing local conservation programs as approved by the Town Council
- Compiling an Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) compendium
- Making recommendations on all development plans before the Planning Board with a focus on how it would impact Fanwood’s natural and water resources and environment.
- Conducting Outreach programs to raise awareness on environmental issues as they affect our town.
- Advertising, preparing, and distributing materials necessary to implement the Commission’s activities
- Acting as the Township liaison for conservation needs with regional, state, and federal agencies
- Working with Boy and Girl Scouts and other youth and community groups to perform various environmentally-oriented projects throughout the town
Nature Center
Take a video tour of the Nature Center via this link: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/3e270c0e/XXkZFQKE8UeMj7I7Ej-D2A?u=https://youtu.be/3qkq88QgcFg
Native Plants for your garden: Native plants are beneficial to the environment because they are well-adapted to local conditions, requiring less water, fertilizers, and pesticides, which results in lower upkeep. Native plants also support local ecosystems by attracting native species such as birds, insects, and pollinators, fostering biodiversity. See this link: Native Plants Guide
Invasive Species: (Plants to avoid) In contrast, invasive plants can be harmful to the environment as they often out-compete native species for resources, leading to a decline in local wildlife. Additionally, invasive plants generally require more maintenance to control their spread, which can be both costly and time-consuming. Overall, promoting native plants over invasive species is crucial for maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem. See this link: Invasive Species Guide
Example of an EC sponsored project:
Girl Scout Silver Award Birdhouse Project
For our Girl Scout Silver Award Project, we constructed 8 birdhouses designed to keep various bird species within our local community. Our goal was to educate patrons about the importance of these birds at the Fanwood Nature Center (FNC) and to provide nesting sites for them. By keeping birds in our local area, they help control insect populations, making them a vital part of our local ecosystem. We could not have completed this project without the incredible support of the community. A huge thank you goes to Mr. Elliot from Wildbirds Unlimited for sharing his expertise, Len from Len’s Tree Service for helping with hauling the owl box to the top of the tree, and Addie’s dad for his amazing craftsmanship in building and installing all the birdhouses at the FNC. Please visit the Fanwood Nature Center to see our birdhouses and learn more about the fascinating birds that live in our area!
Link to the Bird Box Project: Bird Box Pamphlet
Invasive Species: (Plants to avoid) In contrast, invasive plants can be harmful to the environment as they often out-compete native species for resources, leading to a decline in local wildlife. Additionally, invasive plants generally require more maintenance to control their spread, which can be both costly and time-consuming. Overall, promoting native plants over invasive species is crucial for maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem. See this link: Invasive Species Guide
Example of an EC sponsored project:
For our Girl Scout Silver Award Project, we constructed 8 birdhouses designed to keep various bird species within our local community. Our goal was to educate patrons about the importance of these birds at the Fanwood Nature Center (FNC) and to provide nesting sites for them. By keeping birds in our local area, they help control insect populations, making them a vital part of our local ecosystem. We could not have completed this project without the incredible support of the community. A huge thank you goes to Mr. Elliot from Wildbirds Unlimited for sharing his expertise, Len from Len’s Tree Service for helping with hauling the owl box to the top of the tree, and Addie’s dad for his amazing craftsmanship in building and installing all the birdhouses at the FNC. Please visit the Fanwood Nature Center to see our birdhouses and learn more about the fascinating birds that live in our area!
Commission Members
| Suzanne Custons-Sanschagrin | Secretary |
| Gary Szelc | Vice Chair |
| Sandy Redder | Chair |
| Phyllis Sandrock | |
| Dave Schwartzberg | |
| MaryAnne StaRosa | |
| Leslie Krone-Speck | Planning Board Liason |
| Patricia Walsh | Council Liaison |
| Carol Chimento | |
| Andrea Parra | Alternate #1 |
Commission Meetings 2025
| January 16 | February 20 |
| March 20 | April 17 |
| May 15 | June 19 |
| July 17 | August 21 |
| September 18 | October 16 |
| November 20 | December 18 |
Meetings are held: 3rd Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at the Fanwood Carriage House, 75 N. Martine Avenue.