watersheds – New Jersey Tree Foundation

Summer on the Circuit: Spring Recap and What’s Ahead

Meredith Brown Uncategorized June 13, 2022June 13, 2022circuit trail, environment, watersheds

Volunteers remove a tree to plant along Point Street during the Cooper Grant neighborhood replanting project on April 30th. Photo credit: NJ Tree Foundation

The summer of 2022 will be an eventful one for the Circuit Trails! We at the NJ Tree Foundation are busy this summer planning activities along the Circuit Trail network. This past spring, we planted 50 trees with 122 volunteers throughout Camden. We worked in the Cramer Hill, Cooper Plaza, and Cooper Grant neighborhoods to plant trees. For Cooper Plaza and the Cooper Grant locations, these were replacement tree projects that were much needed in the community.

Green Infrastructure Combats Climate Change & Flooding in Cities

Meredith Brown Benefits of Trees, Education, Green Infrastructure, Watershed Health January 13, 2021January 13, 2021#onthecircuit, green infrastructure, trees, watersheds

Climate change is causing an increase in flooding, rising sea levels, and new weather patterns. These changes have a massive negative impact on older urban cities. In an urban environment, flooding is particularly an issue, especially if the sewer system is a Combined Sewer Outfall. Combined Sewer Outfalls, or CSOs, are outdated sewer systems that easily become overwhelmed during rain events. During dry conditions, sewage and rainwater make their way to the water treatment plant normally. However, when the system reaches capacity, especially when it rains, the sewer can only carry so much runoff and waste to the water treatment plant. The sewer will then fill up with excess sewage and storm water. This waste is then dumped untreated into the closest water body. CSOs contribute to flooded basements, homes, and streets. Children are often seen playing in contaminated water. This is an environmental justice issue for residents and families living in Camden.