Green Madison NJ

08/10/2026

If you missed our "Plant This, Not That" author talk with The Nature of Reading Bookshop, catch up with this free pop-up class on Aug. 20, 1-2:30 pm. Elise is talking with The New York Times writer Margaret Roach. There is a free recording for all who register.
SIGN UP: https://margaretroach.podia.com/elise-howard

Buy the book: www.thenatureofreading.com/product/plant-this-not-that-over-200-native-plant-swaps-for-a-more-sustainable-pollinator-friendly-garden/F5IBY36V7GAVQTISZCP6CEW3?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true

08/04/2026

We'll be at the Farmers Market this Saturday, 9:30 to 11 to give away plants to Madison residents who make a reservation. After 11, we'll open the giveaway to all. Sign up here--and stop by if you forget. We'll have plenty of extra plants.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes7q_bpinGDz6fkrMGKEobuyMD_kohdSUH1gzPns-iD1N7og/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=102239581616285718370

07/16/2026

Read the book from our recent event, “When the Forest Breathes.” Scientist Suzanne Simard documents how clear cutting and planting of monocrop pine forests makes them tinderboxes. Heavy machinery strips the spongy forest floor and underground fungal connections are lost. Proud to have highlighted Simard’s work in partnership with The Nature of Reading Bookshop.

07/10/2026

The MEC's intrepid Joan Maccari has potted up 110 native plants from her yard and she's giving them away this Saturday at the Farmers Market. Madison residents, reserve a free plant with this link: https://forms.gle/Wvb2GTASoGp51RpAA

06/09/2026

Say goodbye to lonely trees in mulch islands! Trees love community, as we found out last night. Our event was inspired by the work of Suzanne Simard, author of "Finding the Mother Tree" and "When the Forest Breathes."

To create a healthier tree canopy here in Madison, we learned how to plant pocket forests and how forest rehabilitation is happening at the MRC conservation forest.

Thanks to The Nature of Reading Bookshop and presenters Kirsten Wallenstein of the Environmental Commission and Susan Landau (The Xerces Society educator and restoration leader at Foote's Pond Wood in Morristown). It was a packed event with people eager to make a difference.

Experience Madison NJ The Borough of Madison New Jersey Madison Community Arts Center NJ

06/08/2026

Quiet Summer is a phone call away! Just ask your landscaper to pause gas leaf blowing, now through Sept. It's less work for your landscaper, better for families (especially kids with asthma) who want to enjoy the outdoors. Madison, the Chathams and Morris Township are all launching quiet summer campaigns. We had a great response at the Farmers Market on Saturday.

Here's a bi-lingual letter to share: https://files.constantcontact.com/8646f48b001/61447032-c105-4352-8ac6-5ddac60edb58.pdf?rdr=true

Chatham Borough Environmental Commission The Borough of Madison New Jersey Chatham Township Environmental Commission Experience Madison NJ Morris Township, NJ

06/04/2026

Join us on June 8 to learn how trees communicate and how you can create your own pocket forest!

And visit us at Madison Farmers Market this Saturday, 9–12, for free native plants & info about the Quiet Summer initiative.

Details in this week's Madison Environmental Commission newsletter: https://conta.cc/4373VRJ

06/02/2026

Learn how to plant a pocket forest in your yard! Join us on Monday, June 8 at 7 pm at the Madison Community Arts Center, 10 Kings Rd, for an evening inspired by scientist Suzanne Simard and her new book, "When the Forest Breathes." It follows her bestseller, "Finding the Mother Tree," and documents why trees need community. What can you do at home? Plant a pocket forest. The concept works for small yards. Plus, trees are way easier to care for than lawn--or a meadow! See you Monday.

RSVP www.thenatureofreading.com/whentheforestbreathes
The event is free but registration is required.

The Nature of Reading Bookshop The Borough of Madison New Jersey Experience Madison NJ

05/11/2026

There's so much life in fallen leaves! So don't spring into the same old "spring cleanup" routine. Bridget Daley explains why.

Hooray for warmer weather! We’re all excited to get outside and into our yards and gardens. But please don’t spring into the same old “spring cleanup” routine!

05/10/2026

Congrats to Ben Engel, a newly minted Eagle Scout whose project was a huge blessing for Madison: a repaired boardwalk and signage at the conservation forest at the recreation complex. Come on down and take a look!