CONSERVE WILDLIFE!
Reducing the Use of One-Time Polinators.
Reducing the use of one-time plastics, seeking alternatives to balloon releases, sharing information on responsible gardening, The Garden Club of LBI’s Environmental Committee is committed to protecting the island and beyond. The 15-member committee shares current information and provides meaningful children’s projects at such community events as Hooked on Fishing, Shellabration, and Barnegat Bay Day. Current initiatives also include how to make chemical-free weed killer, fertilizing with crushed oyster shells, participating in beach and community cleanups and a springtime showing of the influential film We Are All Plastic People Now partnered with the Surf City Library.
To illustrate this mission, the Environmental Committee now offers a T-shirt and long sleeve hoodie to Garden Club members in natural colors and including the Watch Us Grow club emblem.
Resource: Joanne McKee, Environmental President, Jan 13, 2026
THREATS TO OUR WILDLIFE!
- Habitat Loss
- Climate Change
- Invasive/Exotic Species*
- Pollution
- Illegal Trapping/Poaching
- Accidental Deaths
WHAT YOU CAN DO LIST!
- Preserve/Create a Wildlife Habitat – provide water and plant a native, non-invasive garden
- Protect Birds – Keep cats indoors, apply window treatments so birds don’t crash into windows, provide bird feeders that are located safely away from predators
- Don’t Pollute – spare the plastic!
- Go Natural – try not to use pesticides or herbicides
- Use Safe Sunscreen – without oxybenzone or derivatives
- Protect Hurt Animals – take them to a wildlife rehabilitation center
- Catch and Release Fish – use barbless hooks
- Plant Milkweed! – the only host pant for monarch caterpillars
- Donate to a Wildlife Preservation organization – National Wildlife Federation (NWF), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, The NJ Nature Conservancy, The National Audubon Society, Raptor Trust, the NJ Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators
- Purchase CONSERVE WILDLIFE license plate
- Donation for “Wildlife” – check box on your NJ tax return
If your Club is taking an initiative on Saving Our Wildlife, please get in touch with Diana Kazazis, Wildlife Chair so that we can share your news!
*INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAM
Our Rake and Hoe Club had an excellent program on Invasive Species from Mike Van Clef of “Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space” and the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team. He clearly outlined the reasoning as to why we need to plant Native species to keep out the Invasive populations. His interactive website is a wealth of information: https://www.fohvos.info/invasive-species-strike-team/
