Building Support for Sustainable Community Capital
Mark Roseland, "Toward Sustainable Communities" (2005)
Before I moved here in 1972, I thought New Jersey consisted of the Turnpike surrounded by 3000 square miles of Tastee-Freez stands and giant gas tanks. It didn't take me long to discover that New Jersey, and Hamilton itself, have Natural Capital in abundance - but not for long if we don't work to preserve it.
Our natural capital does not begin or end within our Township borders, or even within Mercer County. It extends across Central New Jersey and the entire Delaware River Valley Watershed. Some of our natural assets lie completely outside our borders, but their preservation, protection, and improvement are just as important to Hamilton.
Every day is a fight to lose less of our Natural Capital and make it sustainable. Here are some of the Natural Capital assets that add value to Hamilton, and the Champions that work to preserve and protect them.
The New Jersey Sierra Club is one of the State's largest and most active environmental advocacy groups, offering a wide range of nature-oriented activities.
Hamilton is in the middle of the Delaware River Basin, one of the most important watersheds in North America.
The Delaware River Basin Commission maintains this list of community groups who work to preserve, protect and improve the River, its tributaries, and all the land throughout the Basin.
NJ Wild
NJ Wild is the personal blog of Princeton poet and actvists Carolyn Foote-Edelmann. NJ Wild is not to be confused with NJ Wild for Western Wilderness, which focuses on preservation, protection, and enhancement of wilderness in the Western US.
Carolyn's blog provides regularly updated, in-depth information about local and regional issues affecting our Natural Capital.
NJ Wild also contains beautiful nature photography by Brenda Jones, and links to a wide range of websites of particular interest to New Jerseyans.
Crosswicks-Doctors Creek Watershed Association
The Crosswicks Creek watershed drains surface and storm water from approximately the center of New Jersey westward from Jackson and Plumsted Townships in Ocean County; Allentown, Millstone and Upper Freehold in Monmouth County; North Hanover Township, Wrightstown, Cookstown, Chesterfield, and Bordentown City in Burlington County; and Hamilton and Washington Townships in Mercer County.
This watershed drains into the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh after which the marsh empties into the Delaware River. We are, therefore, a necessary and vital regional planning group that not only keeps tabs on the regional development pressures, but which also seeks to propose uses for the sensitive corridor lands that are compatible such as greenways, blueways, trails, creek access, and other recreational or conservation uses.
Friends for the Marsh
At the western edge of central New Jersey's densely populated urban centers, between the cities of Trenton, Bordentown and Hamilton Township lies the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh, the Delaware River's northernmost freshwater tidal wetland.
The Marsh's diverse habitats support over 1,200 species of plants and wildlife. Waterbirds such as osprey, great blue heron, ducks, geese and great egrets thrive in and around its waterways.
The Marsh has also supported humans since pre-historic times. Native Americans lived here 8,000 - 10,000 years ago. Present-day visitors to the Marsh can experience this fascinating ecosystem on over 8 miles of walking trails and 11 miles of water trails.
NJTA is a cooperative project of land preservation and conservation organizations spearheaded by D&R Greenway Land Trust in Princeton, New Jersey. The group's mission is to make accurate information and maps on preserved lands accessible to the public.
Lawrenceville-Hopewell Trail
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is over 20 miles of multipurpose, recreational trails that run through public and private lands in Lawrence and Hopewell Townships. The idea for the LHT grew out of a commitment to improving the quality of life for all who live or work in Lawrence Township and Hopewell. More specifically, the trail will help provide an active and liveable community with opportunities for recreation, health and fitness, transportation, and outdoor education.
LHT has taken down its website for a complete makeover. LHT says
In the meantime, please feel free to contact us at info@lhtrail.org with any questions or comments.
Lawrence Hopewell Trail
P.O. Box 6735
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
609-734-5254
Loretta Morgan Andrews
Administrative Assistant
