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Annual plant fundraiser happening now!
West Orange, NJ 07052
Environment & Resident Advocacy Organization
your charitable contribution put to work
Community Action Begins with You
We are dedicated to improving the lives of those in our community, including our local wildlife and trees! OGWO is a volunteer-led, 501(c)3 charitable organization. (Including our executive board.) Your contribution today helps us continue our advocacy work - Thank You!
OGWO's Annual Native Plant Fundraiser
Join us in supporting West Orange's natural habitat by planting native species plants! This in turn supports pollinators and other local wildlife. (AND improves your property!)
Your purchase is a tax-deductible contribution to OGWO, with 100% of proceeds raised going back into Our Green West Orange's advocacy work.
Help Support a Quieter, Healthier West Orange
Our Green West Orange is joining the Quiet Communities movement in an effort to create an even safer, healthier and more equitable township. We are advocating for a ban on using gas-powered leaf blowers within West Orange. Please sign and share our petition, complete with links to local officials who can support and pass such an ordinance. The flier is available as a download below, complete with more information. For information, visit our Leaf Blower page HERE. Please take a moment to sign our petition by clicking the button below.
Perhaps West Orange can join the growing wave?
What began as local municipalities banning gas-powered leaf blowers has become entire states working towards similar initiatives. California is leading the way, and now Washington, D.C. has upped the ante in this Climate Emergency fight! A valid concern is for businesses who use, repair, and sell gas-powered lawn equipment. Check out our Leaf Blower Page for information addressing how these bans are good for the industry.
Preserve this 1864 Holly Hudson Designed Structure
Our Green West Orange members have been working to protect and preserve one of West Orange's most impressive historical structures: The Hecker Carriage House. (If the name Hecker sounds familiar, it's because you may recognize it from shopping the baking aisle: Hecker Flour is still sold today!)
Read American Institute of Architects NJ's press release below, complete with a short historical overview.
Contact your elected Town Council members, and Mayor Parisi to protect and designate this historic landmark: Council@WestOrange.org, SQuirk@WestOrange.org
Read the April 2021 Jersey Digs article HERE about the uphill battle residents are having in saving this historic house.
As If Two Rockslides Aren't Bad Enough...
On 20, 2021, the majority West Orange Zoning Board voted to approve CubeSmart's application to build a storage facility along Pleasant Valley Way. The proposed storage facility poses a grave danger to the neighborhood because it requires the excavation of a high-gradient slope, directly beneath Roosevelt Ave. The township’s zoning ordinance states: “disturbance of slopes 25% or more is prohibited.” This ordinance was put in place to prevent erosion and reduce the risk of dangerous landslides.
Under Municipal Land Use Law, the applicant for this project had to prove that this project will not be a detriment to the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance. View West Orange's Steep Slope/Land Use Regulations HERE. The applicant convinced al but two zoning board members that building this commercial structure in a residential neighborhood is a beneficial use for the site. This project will endanger the homes above it, as well negatively impact the property values of the surrounding homes. No tax ratable is worth it.
West Orange High School Students Fight for Green
Find out how to get involved as a West Orange student and make a difference locally. Advocate! Volunteer! Put your talents to work!
Residents $100 Million Gift Card to Developer
The road to a $100 million dollar tax break for the Executive Drive developer has been paved for the second time, by the majority Township Council. (And Township Planning Board) The developer seeks to build 425 apartments at Executive Drive. They seek a $100 million, 30 year tax break from us! Mayor Parisi is for it. (The same mayor who takes campaign contributions from the developer, BNE.)
Join the 7:30pm Planning Board Zoom meeting 11/18 to say "No" - click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81332797995?pwd=Q01NSnhPeFNuVGEzOGswV1VyTUxkQT09
Webinar ID: 813 3279 7995 Password: 196291
West Orange Tree Ordinance
Our Green West Orange was first established to help protect the townships's trees. Join fellow residents, including our local youth, in advocating for a stronger tree ordinance:
Stay updated on meetings by subscribing to our blast, above.
Volunteer
Partners in Advocacy
Partners in Advocacy
Earn good karma!
OGWO seeks graphic designers, illustrators, writers, PTA Reps, & social media posters. Have a skill we didn’t mention above? Email us!
Partners in Advocacy
Partners in Advocacy
Partners in Advocacy
So many organizations in WO that OGWO supports & partners with. Join us! Join them! Be part of the solution!
Videos
Partners in Advocacy
Videos
OGWO is proud to highlight videos that help educate others about what is happening in West Orange. Pop some corn, find a friend, and visit our videos page!
What's With WO Taxes?
What's With WO Taxes?
What's With WO Taxes?
It's happening again! (And no it's not because of Covid...) Recent proposal of another 1.5% increase compliments of WO Twp.
Badabing: Family Ties
What's With WO Taxes?
What's With WO Taxes?
Curious about the WO power structure? How do the dots connect in West Orange?
Petitions 'n Polls
What's With WO Taxes?
Petitions 'n Polls
Advocate for change. Petitions to help West Orange grow & flourish.
PAST Advocacy & Community PROJECTS from OGWO
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
OGWO responded to a home on Woodland Ave., Friday, May 10, 2019 to document and question why 11 healthy trees were being cut. There were no tree removal permits issued.
150 FREE Trees Handed Out
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
OGWO and an enviro-passionate Roosevelt Middle student handed out and planted 150 trees for free to West Orange seniors & interested residents.
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
Woodland Ave Tree Removal
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
West Orange residents continue to advocate for a sustainable, green, & safe Essex Green Shopping Center, despite the majority Township Council and administration siding with the wealthy developer, Clarion Partners, LLP. Up next Executive Drive.
WO Library Blighted?
Rock Spring Country Club
Essex Green Shopping Ctr
The township of West Orange yet again designates a town property as "blighted," essentially handing another wealthy developer potential BIG tax abatements for residents to pay. The WO Public Library is the latest blighted area.
Rock Spring Country Club
Rock Spring Country Club
Rock Spring Country Club
West Orange residents are the new owners of Rock Spring Country Club, located at 90 Rock Spring Rd. 138-acres for $12 million. Help fellow residents keep their eye on how well the Mayor follows through with his "gentleman's agreement" that the property will not be developed more than the 15-acres he has promised.