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This fall, Asbury Park became one the 72 communities across the state to earn a Sustainable Jersey certification, a feat celebrated last month during the Annual League of Municipalities Conference.  

What that means for the 1.4 square mile city along the Jersey Shore is the ability to expand on its green initiatives, officials said.  

“I’m so proud of Asbury Park,” Mayor John Moor. “We were off this list for a few years, so it’s nice to be back doing what we are supposed to be doing.”

Asbury Park first garnered the certification in 2009 but fell off the list after it failed to renew its filing requirements, City Director of Planning and Development Michele Alonso said. Certifications are granted for a 3 year period.  

Municipalities must show completion of a set of mandated action to earn a Sustainable Jersey certificate. They include establishing a green team, diversity on its boards and commissions, tracking energy use, an inventory of its fleet, carbon footprint, and natural resources, to name a few.

“Sustainable Jersey is proud of the 72 New Jersey towns that achieved certification this year,”  Director Randy Solomon said in a written statement. “The…Sustainable Jersey certified towns demonstrate leadership and are a testament to how much we can accomplish toward the long-term goal of a sustainable New Jersey.”

Transportation Manager Michael Manzella [shown in featured photo] accepted the City’s award.

“I know the City went through an extensive process to get recertified,” Manzella said. “I think the community understands that sustainability is important for the environment and for its economic health and vitality. With the mayor signing the Climate Change Pledge, we will be looking to earn a Silver certification.”

Alonso said the City will be eligible for technical assistance grants and will look to apply for small funding grants to grow sustainable improvements and activities throughout the city.

That list includes placing an electrical car charging station at the waterfront, Manzella said.  

“Electric cars are becoming a lot more popular and infrastructure has to keep up with it,” Manzella said. “There is a latent demand.”

Other program improvement goals include enhancing the City’s Farmer’s Market, creating a city wide composting and recycling program, holding a Green Fair, and promoting residential solar use, Alonso said.

Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to communities as they pursue green initiatives. Currently, 79 percent or 445 of the State’s 565 municipalities participate in the program.

For more information, visit sustainablejersey.com.

[Photo courtesy of Sustainable Jersey, features from left to right Atlantic County Utilities Authority President & Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees Chair Richard Dovey; Asbury Park Transportation Manager Michael Manzella; Sustainable Jersey Development Director Joe Grillo; and Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon.]

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