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SCMUA Welcomes Students to Celebrate Earth Day

The Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority and the Wallkill River Watershed Management Group recently hosted their 13th annual Earth Energy Day Celebration at the SCMUA’s Recycling Facility in Lafayette.

Over 330 Sussex County K-5th grade students from Pope John Middle School, Long Pond School, Hardyston Elementary School, Frankford Elementary School, and Lafayette Elementary School attended the event.

Students rotated through a series of interactive stations led by USDA-NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), Sussex County Clean Communities, Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control, Cornerstone Environmental Group, Foam Cycle, SCS Engineers, NJ Audubon, YB Farm/Alive and Green, and the AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador program. Every station provided information about proper solid waste disposal, recycling, watershed management, wildlife, and protection of natural resources. From sifting through sandy soil to find organisms living inside to using props to identify the characteristics that make birds unique to examining live aquatic insects to determine water quality, each station used hands-on learning to enhance the students’ educational experience.

Additionally, to promote a sense of giving back to the community, a food drive for Sussex County Community College’s Horton Food Pantry was conducted as part of the event, benefitting SCCC students who lack the resources to purchase adequate amounts of food. Overall, the day was a tremendous success with all of the students leaving the SCMUA with a better understanding of how to protect the environment and conserve natural resources while giving back to the communities where they live.