Third Annual Rally for the Rivers
Eco-Fest Held This June
10 JULY 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY LORI DRAZ
Last month, an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 300
environmentally conscious people of all ages
came out to learn more about the environment
and the waterways at the third annual Rally for the
Rivers Eco-Fest in Rumson’s Victory Park. The free
event was put on by Clean Ocean Action (COA)
and the Rumson Environmental Commission with
the support of Sea Bright Solar, Bayshore Family
of Companies and Mazza Recycling Service. The
crowd enjoyed hands-on interaction with turtles
and other coastal critters, river seining, row
demonstrations, eco-friendly crafts, composting
demo, music, marine debris art and more – all in
the spirit of “Watershed Mindfulness” education.
The event was linked to World Ocean Day on June
8, and the attendees learned that keeping the rivers
clean ensures a healthy ocean.
to the year, and this was just what the doctor ordered,”
said Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean
Ocean Action. “Uniting groups, businesses, communities
and citizens (small and tall) is the best medicine for improving our
watery world, and the eco-fest has it all.”
Alison Jones, COA Watershed Program coordinator, added, “We were very
encouraged that many families said that they intend to adopt more eco-friendly
practices in their own lives, and become more ‘Waterway Mindful.’”
The eco-fest is coordinated as part of COA’s Rally for the Two Rivers initiative,
an alliance of organizations and towns dedicated to improving and
protecting the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers.
The event featured information and entertaining education stations
from 26 organizations, including Rally for the Two Rivers Alliance partners,
local environmental commissions and green teams, and school and community
groups.
Children received a stamp on their Environment Passport as they
visited the stations. Completed passports earned eco-friendly giveaways
and special treats from participating local businesses throughout
June, as well as possible extra credit or a homework pass if shown
to their teacher.
Kristen Hall, chair of the Rumson Environmental Commission,
shared, “Every participant and exhibitor I spoke to was so excited to
be at the eco-fest either teaching or learning ways they can help keep
our beautiful waterways clean and healthy. It was a true community
event, and we are so happy to partner with a wonderful organization
like Clean Ocean Action to bring this incredible annual event to the
Two Rivers area.”
/TheJournalNJ.com