MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY (January 29, 2024) Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and a panel of guest speakers met for a press conference on January 26, 2024, to discuss the Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act, a bipartisan, bicameral legislation recently introduced by Rep. Sherrill. The bill encourages the federal government, one of the nation’s largest landowners, to incorporate native plants versus invasive species in local landscaping projects. The conference was held at the Morris County Outdoor Education Center (OEC) in Chatham, NJ. Sandra LaVigne, Director of Water Quality Programs at the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA), was one of four environmentalists to sit on the panel alongside Rep. Sherrill.
“I was honored to be invited to speak on behalf of GSWA to stress the importance of native plants to our water quality,” stated Ms. LaVigne. “Native plants significantly contribute to the habitat and diversity essential for our native pollinators. Additionally, their root systems play a significant role in flood mitigation.
“The deep-reaching root systems of native plants act as a filter, absorbing excess nutrients and pollutants from stormwater runoff and working to purify the water before it reaches surface waters and aquifers. These root systems also stabilize soils, preventing erosion and helping stormwater runoff to percolate down through the soil which also helps to reduce the impacts of flooding.”
Additional speakers at the press conference included Shawn LaTourette, NJDEP Commissioner; Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director of Sierra Club NJ Chapter; and Jean Epiphan from Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County, who recently participated in GSWA’s Plant for Pollinators webinar. Each panelist emphasized the importance of collaboration and the advantages of using native plants to enhance and revive habitats throughout New Jersey.
“I am grateful to the environmental advocates across New Jersey who brought this issue to my attention,” said Congresswoman Sherrill, who is working alongside Representatives David Joyce (OH-14), and Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Mike Braun (R-IN) on this legislation. “I look forward to our continued partnership as I work to address flooding, protect our planet, and lower costs for New Jerseyans.”
The press conference was attended by approximately 70 people from various local environmental organizations invited by Rep. Sherrill. GSWA was well represented by the Executive Director, Sally Rubin, board members Lydia Chambers, Mayor Carolyn Dempsy, and Dot Stillinger, and advisory council members Thelma Achenbach, and Russ Furnari, as well as many long time GSWA volunteers.
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