Protection of Barnegat Bay starts in our backyard
News Source: Asbury Park Press
June 27, 2012
By BLANCHE KRUBNER
As a longtime Jackson resident who loves her community and Barnegat Bay, you can imagine my unhappiness when I learned that, because of people’s decisions and over-development, Barnegat Bay is dying.
Two rivers that flow into the bay, the Toms River and Metedeconk River, flow through Jackson. It’s vital for us who live in Jackson to remember that what we do in our backyards impacts Barnegat Bay.
As a homeowner, I take care of my property as needed, but I have always used organic fertilizers and pesticides to care for my plants and lawn. I made this choice because I knew that whatever I applied to my land would eventually wind up in Barnegat Bay after a rainstorm.
Unfortunately, many gardening and lawn chemicals widely used today are a cause of the stinging nettles and declining health of the bay.
I love the natural resources that exist in our county, but unfortunately, as more and more residents move into this area to also enjoy the beautiful surroundings, they don’t understand the connection between their actions and the bay.
Fortunately, residents who do understand the connection can share their understanding with neighbors or participate in campaigns to help spread the word. I encourage Ocean County residents to join me by participating in a listening session on July 31 in Toms River.
More information about the event is available by contacting the Pinelands Preservation Alliance at 609-859-8860 or the American Littoral Society at 732-291-0055.
Let your voices be heard. We can all make a difference in protecting Barnegat Bay.