Learn best practices: This certification program, which has so far been exclusively for residents of Barnegat Bay Misuary, is now homeowners all over New Jersey. (With the kind permission of the Barnegat Bay Partnership)
The jersey-friendly YARDS certification program has officially expanded its reach. So far, the program has been exclusively for residents of Barnegat Bay Watershed and is now open to home owners and gardens throughout the state.
“This exciting change enables even more residents in New Jersey to demonstrate their commitment to creating environmentally friendly, sustainable landscapes,” explains the Barnegat Bay partnership, which brings together a wide range of partners to restore water quality and natural resources from Barnegat Bay.
Jersey-friendly yards was developed by the BBP through a scholarship from the Foreign Ministry for Environmental Protection and offers a website, jerseyyards.org, which offers several resources for the best landscape practices to help real estate owners make sound decisions for a healthy garden, an environment and economy, including a plant database and the inventory of native plant operation as a whole. Garden status.
In order to participate in the certification program, the residents carry out a checklist based on “8 steps to a jersey -friendly courtyard”, with actions such as reducing the lawn size, planting native species and the management of the water drainage. If the participants can listen to at least 30 of the 40 elements on the list and offer photos of their garden as a review, they can proudly earn their certification.
The BBP has stated that the answer has been overwhelming since the nationwide start of this year. “This expansion is an incredible opportunity to bring the advantages of jersey-friendly YARDS improvement water quality, improved wildlife habitat and reduced maintenance beyond the water sheath of Barnegat Bay all over New Jersey.
Further information on the certification program, including participation, visit jerseyyards.org/certification-program/residents certification. –JK-H.