Environmental Commission
& Green Team
Environmental Commission and Green Team
The Environmental Commission is concerned with the “protection, development and use of the natural resources” located in Riverton Borough. The Green Team, in collaboration with the Environmental Commission and other Borough entities, works to educate residents and business owners about ways they can help protect our shared environment.
Save the Date! Riverton Native Plant Tour, Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10AM-2PM
Join us for Riverton’s first native plant tour! This event will feature several native plant gardens of varying types and sizes right here in Riverton. This event is free. The tour, which is self-guided and can be done any time between 10 and 2, starts in the gazebo area at 308 Main Street. Stop by the Environmental Commission and Green Team table to get a map. You’ll also have a chance to learn from the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, the Rancocas Conservancy, and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation! In addition, you will have an opportunity to buy some native plants from a local purveyor to help start or add to your native plant garden. If you have questions or want to help with the tour, contact Councilmember Nicole Belolan: [email protected]. In case of severe weather, this event will take place on Sunday, September 20. Check out social media channels or this website for updates.
Connect with Us or Attend a Meeting
Want to stay connected? Text NEWSLETTER to 888777 to receive our monthly update. Our updates are also archived below. You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook.
Or, attend a meeting! Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month jointly with the Green Team, 7:30 pm, at the Porch Club of Riverton, 213 Howard St. Attend a meeting or contact Councilmember Nicole Belolan if you want to get more involved: [email protected].
Learn About the Pompeston Creek
Riverton’s most sensitive environmental asset is the Pompeston Creek and the open space along its banks. The Commission has published an environmental inventory of the Pompeston Creek, which you can view here:
Pompeston Creek Environmental Inventory (2004),
Prepared by the Environmental Commission of the Borough of Riverton
See also our 2008 environmental resource inventory for the entire Borough:
Why Plant Natives?
The Importance of Native Plant Species in Our Landscapes
When non-native or exotic invasive plants are introduced to an area and have no natural predators, they can displace native species. Many of these were intentionally brought to North America as ornamentals from other continents. They often have attractive flowers, foliage, or fruit, but “invasives” disrupt natural ecosystems, wildlife food sources and habitats, water flow, and soil health. Invasive exotic plants may also produce lots of seeds that can spread into woodlands. Some examples are Callery/Bradford pear, Chinese privet, Chinese and Japanese wisteria, and Chinese elm. Others produce a thick canopy and shade out native species or substances that prevent seed germination, like Asian Honeysuckles and Oriental Bittersweet.
In the past we gardened for food consumption, then aesthetics. Now, with changing climate and loss of habitat beauty alone should not be the only justification for selecting a plant for the landscape. Native shrubs, vines, and trees support insects, such as adults and larvae of beetles, butterflies, moths, ants, and flies. Certain insects depend on native flora as hosts for the larval stage and the berries and seeds for adults. Studies have shown that birds need a lot of insects to feed and fledge their chicks, with at least 70% native vegetation. Food webs depend on plants for energy, oxygen, and carbohydrates. Decomposing leaves build soil; the leaf litter and humus are essential to the microbes that recycle those nutrients.
Right Plant Right Place
When selecting plants for our landscapes, we consider form, mature height and width, and site conditions like light, moisture, and hardiness. Just as important are the ecological services that a species offers. Our native grasses, perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers are often the best choices for preserving ecosystems, using fewer pesticides and irrigation because they are adapted to the climate, heat, and humidity of our region. Please do a little googling or check your local extension service to understand the needs of a specific plant.
Knowing what to ask for when shopping at a garden center is key. Common names can vary regionally, so knowing the scientific name (genus and species) will avoid any confusion. There are many species of oaks, hollies, and laurels, and sometimes the common name or scientific name may indicate the origin of the plant, for example, Chinese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis), Japanese wisteria (Wisteria japonica) or American elm (Ulmus americana).
Want to learn more about how you can be more environmentally friendly at home? Check our our resources below.
- Renewable Resources
- Which Native to Replace that Invasive
- Short-List-of-Top-Natives
- Big List of Native Trees
- Big List of Native Shrubs
- Big List of Native Herbaceous Perennials Vines and Grasses
- Leave the Leaves Resource Sheet
- Light Pollution Solutions
- Tips for spring garden "clean up"
- We're in a drought warning! Following these tips to help conserve water.
- Getting Started with Native Plants
- Environmentally-Friendly Mosquito Control
- Conserve Fireflies at Home
Monthly Newsletters
2025
2024
Where to Buy Native Plants: Below, we have listed some regional native plant purveyors. This list includes purveyors that sell only or almost exclusively native plants. You can also ask your local nursery if they stock native plants. Even if they don’t, your question will help them know customers are interested. Regardless of where you acquire your native plants, make sure the plants you are buying are neonicotinoid-free.
- Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
- Fernbrook Farms
- Old Bumble (often sells at the Burlington County Farmers Market in Moorestown)
- Pinelands Direct
- Rarefind Nursery
- Redbud Native Plant Nursery
- Toadshade Nursery
- Wild Ridge Plants
In addition, many local non-profits host seasonal native plant sales. Keep an eye out for spring sales at the following non-profits (in addition to Bowman’s Hill, which sells native plants from April through the fall):
On-line Resources
- BONAP’s North American Plant Atlas (gives you a color coded guide by state or county to native and non native species)
Jersey Friendly Yards Interactive Design Tool - Jersey Friendly Yards Plant List
- Jersey Friendly Yards – Where to Buy Natives
- NJ Native Plant Society
- NJ Native Plant Society Plant List
- Bowman’s Hill Wild Flower Preserve
- Transitioning your Garden
- Invasive Plants
- Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Reading List
- Noah’s Garden, Sara Stein
- Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens, Douglas W. Tallamy
- A New Garden Ethic, Benjamin Vogt
- Planting in a Post Wild World, Thomas Ranier and Claudia West
- Nature’s Best Hope, Douglas W. Tallamy
- Planting: A New Perspective, Piet Oudolf
Riverton Green Team (Term 1 Year)
Katie Lucas, Chair
631 Lippincott Ave.
12-31-2022
Kate Johnson
431 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2022
Christian Hochenberger
431 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2022
Lynn Johnson
303 Midway
12-31-2022
Stephanie Brown
628 Linden Ave.
12-31-2022
Erin Matzelle
710 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2022
Pat Brunker
12-31-2022
Nedra Cawley
12-31-2022
Riverton Green Team (Term 1 Year)
Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month jointly with the Environmental Commission, 7:30 pm at the Porch Club, 213 Howard St., Riverton, NJ
-
Nicole Belolan, Council Liaison
12-31-2026 -
Nicole Belolan (Chair)
12-31-2026 -
Stephanie Brown
12-31-2026 -
Dan Reed
12-31-2026 -
Hal Feinstein
12-31-2026 -
Mike Gawbill
12-31-2026 -
Katie Lucas
Councilwoman
12-31-2026
-
Edgar Wilburn
Councilman
12-31-2026 -
Yvonne Kita
12-31-2026 -
Kim Piotrowski
12-31-2026 -
Lisa Threston
12-31-2026 -
Timothy John
12-31-2026
We Are Making a Difference:
Environmental Commission (Term 3 Years)
Stephanie Brown
628 Linden Avenue
12-31-2022
Environmental Commission (Term 3 Years)
Katie Lucas
631 Lippincott Avenue
12-31-2022
Riverton Green Team (Term 1 Year)
Stephanie Brown
628 Linden Avenue
12-31-2021
Kate Johnson
431 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2021
Christian Hochenberger
431 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2021
Lynn Johnson
303 Midway
12-31-2021
Katie Lucas
631 Lippincott Avenue
12-31-2021
Erin Matzelle
710 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2021
Vacant
12-31-2021
Green Challenge Program
Riverton’s Green Team is organizing a challenge toward Sustainable Jersey points this fall. We are asking residents to pledge to do less on your fall clean-up and “Leave the Leaves” this September and October. This will help us in our efforts to become eligible for grant money to further use within the Borough and our efforts. Please sign the pledge here. Our goal is to get 2.5% of Riverton households to participate!
