Environmental Commission
Environmental Commission
Environmental resource inventory 2008
Meetings are held on the third Thursday every month, 7:30 pm at the Memorial Park picnic tables (weather permitting).
The Importance of Native Plant Species in Our Landscapes
As native habitat is developed and our suburbs expand and sprawl, the food and shelter that were once abundant for our wildlife shrink. The American Audubon society estimates that our native bird population has decreased 30% since 1966. When we think of birds and wildlife, we often forget that insects are a critical food source. As we develop land and plant non-native plants in our suburbs, we change the habitat that supports the insects that support the birds, etc.
Although insects can take pollen and nectar from almost any flowering source, what we forget is that the larval stage of those insects rely on leaves. Insects have evolved as specialist feeders. They have evolved to eat specific plants. Planting native trees and shrubs helps ensure that our insect populations have a stable food source that in turn feeds our birds.
A chickadee needs 350-500 caterpillars a day to raise a clutch of nestlings. It takes 16-18 days to raise a clutch. That is 6000-9000 caterpillars to raise a nest full of babies to maturity.
As with any plant list, we remind you to look up the specific needs and habit of all plants to determine how that will work in your landscape BEFORE you buy.
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).
Attractive not only to birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, native herbaceous and woody species can give seasonal interest and beauty. Flowering perennials, such as coneflower, passion vine, and lobelias, appeal to gardeners and offer another way to attract creatures other than just having feeders. Plant them (native plants), and they (birds, bees, and butterflies) will come.
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).
Click Below for Some Great Resources:
Buying Native Plants: Always ask your local nursery if they stock native NJ plants. Even if they don’t they will know their customers are interested and it may help them to start.
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
Learn more about pollinators with The Xerces Society
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
Environmental Commission (Term 3 Years) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Jim Quinn, Council Liaison | 629 Elm Terrace | (856) 829-0120 | jquinn@riverton-nj.com | 12-31-2023 |
Kathryn Simon, Chair | 304 Penn St | (215) 837-8329 | - | 12-31-2022 |
Michael Robinson, Secretary | 6 Second St | (215) 829-8329 | - | 12-31-2022 |
Joseph Threston | 307 Seventh St | (856) 303-1310 | 12-31-2022 | (Planning Board Representative) |
Mark Jendrzejewski | 710 Main St | (856) 499-2052 | - | 12-31-2022 |
Stephanie Brown | 628 Linden Avenue | - | - | 12-31-2022 |
Alternate Environmental Commission (Term 3 Years) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Patricia DeVito | 103 Thomas Avenue | (856) 829-1464 | 12-31-2022 |
Katie Lucas | 631 Lippincott Avenue | - | 12-31-2022 |
Why Plant Natives?
Which Native to Replace that Invasive?
Big List of Native Herbaceous Perennials Vines and Grasses List

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)
-
Jim Quinn, Council Liaison
jquinn@riverton-nj.com
12-31-2022 -
Katie Lucas, Chair
631 Lippincott Ave.
12-31-2022 -
Christian Hochenberger
431 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2022 -
Stephanie Brown
628 Linden Ave.
12-31-2022 -
Ed Sanderson
626 Thomas Ave
(856) 786-8206
12-31-2022 -
Kate Johnson
431 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2022
-
Lynn Johnson
303 Midway
12-31-2022 -
Erin Matzelle
710 Thomas Avenue
12-31-2022 -
Mark Jendrzejewski
710 Main St
(856) 499-2052
12-31-2022 -
Kathryn Simon
304 Penn St
(215) 837-8329
12-31-2022 -
Nedra Cawley
12-31-2022 -
Pat Brunker
12-31-2022

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
