The meeting kicked off with a report from the Green Team, who highlighted the successful Sports Swap event. They also disclosed their recent collaboration with the Nolwood Green Team, which resulted in the planting of oak trees, a move that aligns with the commission’s broader environmental preservation objectives.

The Carter Pond topic saw a discussion on the recent hydro raking, with members indicating the potential for more work to be done, contingent on council approval.

Despite no new updates on the Deer Mitigation, Living Shoreline and Pocket Parks, Stormwater Management, and the Navesink River, the commission scheduled the next meeting for the Navesink River Municipal Council for the 21st of December. These subjects, while currently stagnant, remain high on the commission’s environmental agenda.

One of the critical points of discussion was the concept of volunteer empowerment and the need for more volunteer days, prompted by the enthusiastic community turnout at the Third Street Trail volunteer day. The commission emphasized the necessity for support from the administration, mayor, and council for these volunteer efforts.

The commission also delved into the need for a liaison or point of contact between the commission and the local government. The consensus was that formalizing this connection would streamline communications, access to resources, and coordination of efforts across various committees, such as the Natural Area Advisory Committee and the Third Street Trail committee.

In a more extensive discussion on volunteer empowerment, the idea of a structure similar to the green key under the Environmental Commission was proposed. The commission highlighted the need for approval and coordination for on-the-ground efforts and the importance of an annual report outlining the upcoming year’s action plan.

The meeting wrapped up with a debate about the reporting structure of different groups. It concluded with a focus on creating a structure that facilitates effective collaboration between various committees and ensures that volunteers feel empowered and their efforts are coordinated and supported by the local government.