Supplementalreportwithaddons 2

Student-driven sustainability: Green Matters’ grants in action By Kathy Lynch, President, Green Matters Green Matters is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has been funding environmental projects for and by students in New Jersey since 2022. Past grants to high schoolers include funds for an aquaponics system, tree planting, a pollinator garden, a residential composting pickup pilot program, supplies to start a beekeeping club (including a hive) and a seed library. Money has also been given to organizations to support their work for or with students, such as internships at Sourland Conservancy and Herrontown Woods, programming for The Ripple Center and curriculum training for Earth Friends. Green Matters is also proud to sponsor the climate change track at the Association of Environmental Educators' fall conference for a second year and to support the great work of ANJEC. Green Matters initially sought out high school-age students as applicants, then realized that it's never too early to spark interest in and gain understanding of why we need to protect our planet and its inhabitants. If you have an idea for a project, please check out our website and application, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or want to brainstorm a bit: www.green-matters.org. This project explored the use of aquaponics as a means of sustainable food production in a courtyard at Princeton High School. Candace McKee Ashmun Memorial Fund In honor of ANJEC’s Founder and First Executive Director ANJEC established the Candace McKee Ashmun Memorial Fund in her honor to support the ANJEC Open Space Stewardship Grant Program. The annual program provides small grants to help environmental commissioners carry out local stewardship projects. ANJEC.ORG/DONATE To donate, use the QR code or mail a check to ANJEC, PO Box 157, Mendham NJ 07945. 30 ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024