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Park it, and let it grow! "No Mow May" is here!
West Orange, NJ 07052
Environment & Resident Advocacy Organization
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.
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!
Currently happening in town...
No Mow May
Join fellow West Orange residents and other communities as we celebrate "No Mow May." The strategy is this: Bees usually awake from hibernation in late April, when there is already a limited diversity of food. Managed lawns deprive our suburban bee populations of sustenance in the form of clover and even dandelions.
In Appleton, Wisconsin, 435 households of embraced No Mow May in 2020. A study last year found the following results of not mowing for just one month of May: Floral and bee abundance were higher in unmowed lawns relative to mowed lawna. Unmowed areas had 64% more plant species and 66% more flower density than mowed areas.
According to the New York Times Dr. Del Toro and Dr. Ribbons studied the impacts of No Mow May on Appleton’s bees. They found that No Mow May lawns had five times the number of bees and three times the bee species than did mown parks. Armed with this information, they asked other communities to participate.
Wild bees are considered a keystone species as so much of our ecosystem depends on a healthy population. Give No Mow May a try this year. The worst that can happen is you’ll save a few hundred dollars in landscaper fees.
Victory!
On April 28, 2022, the West Orange Township Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously against California-based Public Storage to construct a storage facility in West Orange, overlooking historic Crystal Lake. (The building would have taken over where the Eagle Rock bowling alley stands.) We celebrate the ZB's decision, and thank the members for listening to OGWO members' concerns.
WO Residents say, "Don't cheapen our town!"
The West Orange Township Council recently pulled a resolution that would have permitted giant billboards over Route 280 from Rooney Circle. Thank you to the large number of OGWO members and others who wrote and called in to the Town Council to express safety concerns. Without your voices, this dangeous push would likely have gone through. In the past, every single council member voted to allow a town-wide digital billboard resolution to go out for a bid. Perhaps knowing that this is an election year and that three of the current members are running for mayor, influenced them to listen and respond. Thank you to all!
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!
The Turtle Back Zoo: Updates, proposals, & impact on our env
The Facts
The zoo has already been expanded several times. Why does the Essex County Executive want to expand the Turtle Back Zoo yet again?
County Executive Joe DiVincenzo claims that the zoo needs a 500 seat amphitheater to provide education for the thousands of students who visit the zoo each year. However studies show students learn better in smaller settings and there already is a smaller amphitheater in the zoo.
What sort of education is the County Executive talking about?
Wild animals will be forced into small enclosures and then paraded out before large audiences using strobe & LED lighting rigs, and a full speaker system.
How is this education rather than entertainment?
It’s not. Animals being displayed in this way before large crowds have little to no educational value and cause the animals stress and extreme discomfort. In reality, the county plans to rent out the pavilion to private groups. We can expect concerts, parties and other entertainment to take place there as the county collects “premium” rental fees.
Why is such a large amphitheater needed?
The county wants to increase attendance at the zoo from the current 900,000 visitors/year to 1.2 million. This will cause more traffic, sound and light pollution and damage our last large forest. All effecting the suburban neighbors.
How many trees have to be destroyed for this latest expansion?
At least 135 mature trees and many, many smaller trees, undergrowth, plants and wildflowers; an entire habitat in fact. And this is not the first time. In total, since 2005 more than 10 acres have been destroyed. Hundreds of trees.
Is that so bad? Doesn’t growth have to happen?
The South Mountain Reservation is the last large wild space in Essex County. Already the county has destroyed significant parts of this historic land to build a zip line, mini-golf course, and confined artificial habitats for exotic animal ill suited to our climate. They have taken away a natural resource placed in trust for the citizens of Essex County to make money for the county. Surely land that has already been zoned and developed can be devoted to these purposes, if they are really needed, not this historic Reservation.
Besides harming trees and animals, what else is wrong with the project?
As we watch an entire continent go up in flames, as the ice caps melt and species are wiped out every few days, do we want to destroy more open space? Trees and plants also absorb and preserve enormous amounts of the most precious resource on the planet: water and they offset tons of carbon dioxide. Now that so many trees have been chopped down, the roads flood after each rain.
If the amphitheater is built, will more expansion and more destruction take place?
Looking at how the county has behaved in the past, there is every reason to be concerned that yet more land will be seized for other destructive projects. In fact, their own plan projects development in almost every direction.
What is the name of this amphitheater project?
When the county discovered that many citizens opposed this destructive and unnecessary Amphitheater project, they decided to call it the “Conservation Pavilion.” Many people find this offensive: what kind of “conservation” destroys natural habitat to put up an entertainment arena? It’s a CON.
What can we do about all this?
When young people, especially students in Essex County, speak out, it makes a big impact. Students are not a passive audience, they are citizens, leaders and have a stake in the future—their future. The few students protesting at recent Town Council Meetings and hearings have been hard to ignore.
When we attend meetings, what can we say?
Share your feelings about having more land destroyed, more animals mistreated and all in your name and in the name of your education and for the supposed betterment of your home and community. One or two talking points are all that is needed; speak directly from your heart.
Controversy Over $8M Amphitheater At Turtle Back Zoo Continues
Maplewood Leaders to Call for More Transparency from Essex County Over Zoo Expansion
Amphitheater At Turtle Back Zoo: 'Education' Or 'Overspending?'
What hasn't been reported in the news...
As reported by Essex County resident Judith Rosenthal, esq. (who was in attendance at both the Essex County Open Space Advisory Board, and the Essex County Freeholders meetings, July 8 & 10, 2019):
- THERE ALREADY IS AN AMPHITHEATER. Why do we need a second one?
- There already is a brand new EDUCATIONAL CENTER at the Zoo. If the goal is to educate children about animals, the facility already exists to accomplish that.
- French & Parillo (which was awarded a $600,000 contract over objections from dozens of members of the public lasting more than an hour), contributed $5,000 to DiVincenzo's campaign. However, the documents supplied by the County to one of the members of the public failed to disclose this fact. She uncovered it through other channels and presented this somewhat embarassing fact at the hearing.
- Two days before the vote, the County Open Space Committee held a meeting that was also attended by 13 members of the public. The Committee took a vote to approve the above expenditure, but refused to hear from the public prior to voting.
- At Wednesday night's Freeholder's meeting, at least 20 people spoke out against the project, citing traffic concerns, contribution to climate change from cutting down acres of trees to build an amphitheatre, objecting to using Open Space Funds to eliminate open space by building an amphitheatre, the liklihood of more flooding by elimination of open space, and the sheer beauty, respite and enjoyment of the forest.
- Leonard Luciano, who represents Millburn & West Orange, took a few minutes away from his non-stop texting during the meeting to tout the educational benefits of parading zoo animals in front of hundreds of children and to support his point, recalled his days as an "educator." This is a material misstatement. His Freeholder web page reveals he was a "Library Media Specialist" with a degree in Humanities (not science) who thereafter went on to hold a position in the Teacher's Union. When confronted with this at the meeting, Mr. Luciano had no response.
- Freeholder Cooper was the only member to ask intelligent questions challenging the need for an amphitheater (she represents District 3). She abstained from voting "yes" for the expenditures.
- Except for Cooper, your Freeholders have no concern for how members of the public feel. They have one constituent: Joseph DiVincenzo. At this point, it is clear that speaking up is a useless exercise. We must vote most of the Freeholders and the County Executive out of office. The communities most affected by Zoo expansion, and their Freeholders are as follows:
Millburn & West Orange: Luciano
Maplewood: Wayne Richardson
At Large: Patricia Siebold (votes with DiVincenzo 99.9% of the time)
At Large: Rufus Johnson (votes with DiVincenzo 99.9% of the time).
These are the 4 that need to be targeted in the next election. Our mouths can't do it, but our fingers can (at the ballot box)!"
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.