Category: Environment

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Business Culture Energy Environment Lifestyle

New Jersey Natural Gas names Marissa Travaline vice president of customer service, marketing and energy efficiency

WALL, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — New Jersey Natural Gas, (NJNG), a regulated subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), announced the appointment of Marissa Travaline as Vice President, Customer Service, Marketing and Energy Efficiency effective Monday.

 

In this role, Ms. Travaline will be responsible for overseeing a diverse team of employees and developing, implementing and executing NJNG’s customer experience strategy, customer service and call center operations, residential and commercial growth objectives and energy-efficiency programs.

 

“Marissa brings nearly two decades of strong strategic and operational leadership to New Jersey Natural Gas, skills that will serve our customers and our company well as we lead the way to a clean energy future,” said Steve Westhoven, President and CEO of New Jersey Natural Gas. “As the energy industry continues to evolve, managing the customer experience is more important than ever. I am confident Marissa will be an effective member of our executive team and will drive our customer service, marketing and energy-efficiency priorities.”

 

NJNG is the largest stand-alone natural gas utility in New Jersey with nearly 575,000 customers throughout six counties. The utility is recognized for its innovative energy-efficiency programs, including on-bill repayment plans, financing options and whole-house solutions, which have helped customers use less energy, save money and reduce emissions for nearly a decade and a half. NJNG was also named one of the Easiest Utilities To Do Business With and a Most Trusted Brand by Escalent according to its 2023 Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand and Customer Engagement™: Residential report. This is the ninth time out of the past 10 years the company was recognized for brand trust among customers.

 

Prior to joining NJR, Ms. Travaline spent nearly 20 years working in the energy industry. Over the course of her extensive career, she developed in-depth experience in customer operations, customer experience, corporate external relations, investor relations and corporate communications.

 

About New Jersey Resources

New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) is a Fortune 1000 company that, through its subsidiaries, provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution, asset management and home services. NJR is composed of five primary businesses:

  • New Jersey Natural Gas, NJR’s principal subsidiary, operates and maintains over 7,700 miles of natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure to serve nearly 575,000 customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean and parts of Morris, Middlesex, Sussex and Burlington counties.
  • Clean Energy Ventures invests in, owns and operates solar projects with a total capacity of more than 462 megawatts, providing residential and commercial customers with low-carbon solutions.
  • Energy Services manages a diversified portfolio of natural gas transportation and storage assets and provides physical natural gas services and customized energy solutions to its customers across North America.
  • Storage and Transportation serves customers from local distributors and producers to electric generators and wholesale marketers through its ownership of Leaf River Energy Center and the Adelphia Gateway Pipeline, as well as our 50% equity ownership in the Steckman Ridge natural gas storage facility.
  • Home Services provides service contracts as well as heating, central air conditioning, water heaters, standby generators, solar and other indoor and outdoor comfort products to residential homes throughout New Jersey.

 

NJR and its nearly 1,300 employees are committed to helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency through Conserve to Preserve® and initiatives such as The SAVEGREEN Project® and The Sunlight Advantage®.

 

For more information about NJR:

www.njresources.com
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @NJNaturalGas.

“Like” us on facebook.com/NewJerseyNaturalGas.

Contacts

Media:

Mike Kinney

732-938-1031

mkinney@njresources.com

Investor:
Adam Prior

732-938-1145

aprior@njresources.com

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Business Culture Economics Energy Environment Lifestyle

Tankfarm raises $23M to fuel innovation in propane

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Tankfarm, the tech-enabled propane distribution platform, announced today that it has closed on a $23M Series-B round led by a handful of prominent family offices and existing investors. The capital will go towards customer acquisition, continued development of Tankfarm’s patent-pending technology platform, and extending its national propane delivery footprint which currently spans 37 states and over 400 locations.

“In the midst of a very challenging economic and fundraising environment, our investors stepped up and have put Tankfarm on a path to becoming one of the largest propane distribution companies in the US market,” Heaney said. “It is a testament to our fantastic team, and also to the belief our investors have in our vision. We are deeply grateful to all of them.”

 

Tankfarm invests in software and sensors to improve the customer experience for propane consumers, and to make deliveries more efficient and profitable. The company aims to improve the propane industry’s approach to technology, so it can begin to meet the expectations of today’s propane consumer. The $35B U.S. propane industry is highly fragmented and has been slow to embrace new technology.

 

“This really is just the beginning,” Heaney added. “Every day our technology moat gets a bit deeper, creating an increasingly durable source of competitive advantage in an industry that has traditionally underinvested in technology.”

 

For more information, visit: https://tankfarm.io

 

About Tankfarm

Tankfarm is a propane distribution company that invests in proprietary software and sensors to create a superior customer experience and greater logistical efficiency to the propane industry. Tankfarm offers transparent pricing, no fees, free tank monitoring and a guarantee that our customers will never run out of propane. The Tankfarm supplier network spans 37 states and over 400 locations.

 

Tankfarm is a member of the World Liquid Propane Gas Association (WLPGA), the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), the Propane Gas Association of New England (PGANE), the Maine Energy Marketers Association, the New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA), the New Jersey Propane Gas Association (NJPGA), the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association (PAPGA), the Mid-Atlantic Propane Gas Association (MAPGA) the Virginia Propane Gas Association (VPGA), the Rocky Mountain Propane Association (RMPA), the Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA), the Pacific Propane Gas Association (PPGA), and the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA).

Contacts

Andrew Heaney

support@tankfarm.io
855-976-4141

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Culture Environment Lifestyle Local News Programs & Events

D&R Greenway Land Trust announces first ever Harvest Moon Ball on Sept. 30 at the new Discovery Center at Point Breeze in Bordentown

D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Harvest Moon Ball, featuring musicians and theatre performers, will be held at the Discovery Center at Point Breeze on the evening of Sept. 30, at 101 Park Street, Bordentown, N.J.

— Justin Lee Jazz Trio

 

The event starts at 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. to support the historic and ecologically important property.

 

In the tradition of Joseph Bonaparte, the exiled King of Spain who entertained prominent scientists, artists and leaders here in the 1820s and 1830s, guests are invited to dress as someone who once visited Point Breeze or to come as you are to see who’s who. Prominent people who walked on this land in the 19th century included the Marquis de Lafyette, Dolley Madison, John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, John James Audubon, Louis Mailliard, and Joseph Bonaparte’s daughter Zenaide for whom a dove was named. Thirteen thousand years of history provides a creative playground for the imagination of partygoers who choose to participate in the parade of characters.

Improv performances and music by a jazz trio will keep the mood swinging throughout the evening. Libations and desserts and cheeses from Toscano, a popular Bordentown restaurant, will be served under the full harvest moon.

“We designed this to be an affordable, community-focused event to get people out on the land in an unforgettable setting,” says Linda Mead, D&R Greenway’s president and CEO. “Sunset is magic at Point Breeze. Watching the full moon rise will make this night shine on under the Harvest Moon, like the song!”

— Welcome to the Discovery Center at Point Breeze

 

This fun garden party will be inspired by the unexpected.  Pegasus Theatre, sponsored by Bordentown Arts, a community-based nonprofit, will perform improv. Principals Peter Alexander and Jennifer Nasta Zefutie will bring their theatrical storytelling to an intimate setting inside the Discovery Center, opened in May 2023, surrounded by colorful exhibits, art, and artifacts of note.

Bordentown’s vibrant arts scene received a boost in the last few years from the recently formed Bordentown Arts.

 

“There’s an insane amount of talent in this one square mile – just as there’s an insane amount of history!” exults Leon Stanley, who founded the nonprofit in 2020 to support arts and cultural experiences within Bordentown City, where he lives with his wife, gallery owner C.J. Mugavero.

 

“We want Bordentown to be the best it can be,” says Stanley.

 

“The arts bring a quality of life, are a driver of the economy, and dovetail with the city’s reputation as a restaurant town.”

 

Musician Justin Lee will lead a talented jazz trio with guitarist Raúl Abbad and singer Monika Ryan, a New York style classic jazz singer who recently released her fourteenth album, “Playfully.” A local resident, Lee is no stranger to Point Breeze; he played a virtuoso solo of both the US national anthem and the French national anthem on Bastille Day when a delegation from Bordentown’s French sister city, Mortefontaine, visited the preserved property. He’s thrilled that Point Breeze will now be a multi-faceted community asset.

— Joseph Bonaparte original oil painting circa 1819 on display at the Discovery Center

 

“I’m excited that my kids will get to enjoy the open space and the programs.”

The first ever Harvest Moon Ball celebrates that Point Breeze is now a Bordentown treasure, preserved forever. Point Breeze is an apt location to celebrate, as well, the recent election to D&R Greenway’s Board of Trustees of longtime Bordentown public servant, former mayor James E. (Jim) Lynch, Jr.

As Bordentown’s mayor in 2020, Jim Lynch seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve Point Breeze – and with it, the unique character of the small city. Developers had been salivating over the site.

 

“The Divine Word Fathers, who were here for 80 years, were hounded by developers who wanted to build warehouses or a thousand condos,” Lynch recalls.  D&R Greenway and State Green Acres partners joined with the city to permanently preserve the land.

Lynch, now a City Commissioner, joined D&R Greenway’s Board of Trustees in 2023, the latest chapter in a 34-year relationship. “I started working on behalf of Bordentown with D&R Greenway in 1989 [the land trust’s founding year], and it just blossomed from there.” Joining the Board “is a great honor for me,” he says.

For Point Breeze, says Jim Lynch, “The best is yet to come.”

 

The ticket price of $60.  Admission to the Harvest Moon Ball on Sept. 30 is via advance ticket purchase by Sept. 25 at www.drgreenway.org or by calling (609) 924-4646.  Limited tickets will be available at the door, first come, first served. Proceeds benefit D&R Greenway’s Discovery Center at Point Breeze.

About D&R Greenway Land Trust: D&R Greenway Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of over 22,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey since 1989. By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered on connecting land with people from all walks of life. www.drgreenway.org; info@drgreenway.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Culture Environment Lifestyle Local News Science Special/Sponsored Content

D&R GreenwayLand Trust announces fall 2023 Native Plant Sale dates for Sept.

PRINCETON, N.J. — D&R Greenway announces a wide variety of healthy local plants are ready for purchase at their annual Fall Native Plant Sale taking place on Friday, Sept. 22: 2:30 pm-5:30 pm and Saturday, Sept. 23: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Carolina Allspice

 

Planting natives enhances home gardens in natural beauty, attracts butterflies and birds in the landscape, and contributes to protection of a healthy bioregion. The Nursery is on the grounds of D&R Greenway’s Conservation Campus at the Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, [off Rosedale Road] Princeton, N.J. 08540.  Native Plant Sale proceeds support D&R Greenway’s preservation and stewardship mission. www.drgreenway.org.

Tina Notas, Director of Land Stewardship for D&R Greenway, remarks, “Fall is a great time to plant natives!  Give them a head start for the next growing season.”

Noted biologist, professor and author Doug Tallamy, is a biodiversity warrior.  In the Summer 2023 issue of Saving Land from the national Land Trust Alliance, he is quoted as saying, “In my view, the only way to achieve E. O. Wilson’s dream of protecting the natural world on at least half of the planet, as described in his 2016 book “Half Earth,” is to coexist with nature, in the same place, at the same time. We must bury forever the notion that humans are here and nature is someplace else, for there are no longer enough “someplace else’s” to meet the need. We have persisted for the last century in the misguided belief that humans can only thrive when segregated from the natural world, and, as a result, the U.S. has formally protected only 12% of its land. We can achieve Wilson’s lofty goals without excluding the human enterprise, but the key to doing this is to practice conservation not only in protected wild lands, but also outside of parks and preserves: where we live, work, farm and play.”

 

Wild Geranium

D&R Greenway’s CEO Linda Mead encourages local residents to support D&R Greenway’s land protection work and biodiversity by purchasing natives for your backyard at the nonprofit organization’s Native Plant Sale, “This provides every one of us a way we can do good while helping D&R Greenway’s work to do well.”

D&R Greenway’s native trees, shrubs, perennial wildflowers, grasses, and ferns are grown either on-site or purchased from reputable local native-plant growers. Native Plant Nursery specimens are grown from locally sourced starter plants, and are free of harmful nicotinoid insecticides. Planting natives that evolved locally requires less maintenance, in terms of fertilizer, water and pesticides.  Possibilities include the popular Cardinal Flower, as well as Evening Primrose, Scarlet Oak, Sweet Joe Pye, and Trumpet Honeysuckle, among others. Visit our website at www.drgreenway.org

Swamp Milkweed

About D&R Greenway Land Trust: D&R Greenway Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of over 22,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey since 1989 and 44 miles of trails.

 

By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered on connecting land with people from all walks of life. www.drgreenway.org; info@drgreenway.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Culture Environment Government Local News Programs & Events Sports & Gaming

Park Commission to conduct deer management program at Mercer County Park, Mercer Meadows and Baldpate Mountain

The Mercer County Park Commission was scheduled to conduct deer management at Mercer County Park, Mercer Meadows and Baldpate Mountain beginning on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. This program is a method for reducing the overabundant deer herd in the greater Mercer County region.  

 

Bow hunting will begin at all parks beginning on Saturday, Sept. 9 and will take place Monday through Saturday until Feb. 17, 2024. The parks will remain open when only bow hunting is being performed.  

Firearm hunting will occur at Baldpate Mountain and the area north of Lake Mercer at Mercer County Park beginning Monday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 9, and every Wednesday through Saturday thereafter through Feb.10, 2024. The parks/regions will be closed to the public when firearms are in use. There will be no hunting on Sunday.  

All parks have posted signage at parking areas and trail heads regarding hunting schedule and closure dates as a reminder and notice to the public. Where possible, orange chains will be placed across trails and entrances to indicate closures, as well as the use of electronic message boards displaying park closure dates. Park Rangers will patrol the parks during closures to enhance public safety.  

The Mercer County Park Commission is responsible for overseeing and managing approximately 7,100 acres of parkland throughout the County, with the dual goals of conserving natural resources and providing a variety of recreational opportunities for Mercer County residents.

 

Ecological stewardship within the parks has become an increasing priority in the past decade, with partnerships in place to facilitate large-scale habitat restoration projects. Current County stewardship efforts include invasive species management, citizen science efforts, meadow restorations, reforestations and wildlife management, which all contribute to improving the ecological health within the park system and the County at large. 

One of the largest regional threats to biodiversity of flora and fauna in central New Jersey is the overabundance of white-tailed deer. Heightened levels of herbivory caused by deer overpopulation jeopardizes the native plant understory and overall forest health, degrading habitat value for other wildlife.

Regions within Mercer County have some of the highest deer populations in the state. According to 2021 population estimates, the white-tail deer population density within Hopewell Valley was 109 deer per square mile, and 155 deer per square mile post-birthing. Biologists recommend a density of 20-25 deer per square mile to achieve and maintain a healthy forest, and 10-15 deer per square mile if the forest is already in a degraded condition. In order to address this ecological issue and cooperate with regional efforts, the Park Commission implements its Deer Management Program in several of its parks. 

The deer management program complies with all hunting regulations set by the State; the Park Commission has additional rules for the program to ensure the safety of the public and maintain the management ethics of the program. For example, hunting is only permitted by those who have applied for and met all the requirements to participate in the program. All hunting must be done from an elevated tree stand; hunters are not permitted to hunt from the ground. The County has instituted a 75-foot safety buffer on either side of all County authorized trails in the parks within which no hunting activity may take place. 

When the parks are open to bow hunting only, park users are urged to stay on County authorized trails, wear bright colors and to keep dogs on leash at all times per Park Commission regulations. Park users are also asked to observe posted closure notices and to refrain from entering the park and areas posted during the closures.  

For the past five years, the Park Commission has supported efforts to see that deer harvested from the parks are donated to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program. In that time, the deer management program has donated 352 deer, equivalent to 67,784 servings of venison that have been distributed at local Mercer County food shelters.  

More information including maps can be found by visiting the Mercer County Park Commission’s Deer Management page

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Culture Energy Environment Government Healthcare Lifestyle Local News News Now! Programs & Events Science Weather Weather & Environment

Heat advisory issued; cooling sites open

TRENTON, N.J. — The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Mercer County and the surrounding area for today, Sept. 6, until 8 p.m. County Executive Brian M. Hughes reminds residents that many cooling sites will be open.

Temperatures today are expected to reach the mid 90s with a heat index (a measure of the combination of heat and humidity) of up to 103 degrees, and Thursday’s forecast is calling for mid-90s temperatures with a heat index of up to 101 degrees. Children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets are most at risk during excessive temperatures.

The New Jersey Department of Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency offer the following recommendations for staying safe during hot weather:

  • Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
  • People without air conditioning should reach out to NJ 2-1-1 for information regarding Cooling Centers: nj211.org/nj-cooling-centers
  • Take cool showers or baths.
  • Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.
  • If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
  • Avoid high-energy activities or working outdoors if possible.
  • Check on family members, older adults and neighbors.
  • Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
  • Consider pet safety. If pets are outdoors, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to comfortable shade. Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot to your pet’s feet.
  • If using a mask, use one that is made of breathable fabric, such as cotton instead of polyester. Don’t wear a mask if you feel yourself overheating or have trouble breathing.

Mercer County Library System branches and municipal senior centers serve as cooling sites, although daily hours of operation vary. These locations are open to all residents. The Ewing, Hickory Corner, Hightstown, Hopewell, Lawrence, Robbinsville, Twin Rivers, and West Windsor library branches are open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Hollowbrook Branch is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. The Ewing, Hickory Corner, Lawrence and West Windsor branches are open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sundays during the school year.

Call individual senior centers for hours of operation, restrictions and accommodations. Call your local senior center if you don’t see it on the list of confirmed cooling sites below.

Mercer County library branch locations

  • Ewing, 61 Scotch Road
  • Hickory Corner, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor
  • Hightstown Memorial, 114 Franklin St.
  • Hollowbrook, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing
  • Hopewell, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington
  • Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike
  • Robbinsville, 42 Allentown-Robbinsville Road
  • Twin Rivers, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor
  • West Windsor, 333 North Post Road

Municipal senior center locations

  • Ewing – Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Drive; 609-883-1199
  • Hamilton Senior Center, 409 Cypress Lane; 609-890-3686;
  • Hopewell Valley Senior Center, 395 Reading St., Pennington; 609-537-0236;
  • John O. Wilson Center, 169 Wilfred Avenue, Hamilton; 609-393-6480;
  • Princeton Senior Resource Center, 101 Poor Farm Road, Building B; Suzanne Patterson Building, 45 Stockton St.; 609-751-9699
  • Robbinsville Township Senior Center, 1117 Route 130; 609-259-1567
  • Samuel Naples Senior Center (covering all of Trenton), 611 Chestnut Ave.; 609-989-3462
  • West Windsor Senior Center, 271 Clarksville Road; 609-799-9068

For assistance in coping with the heat or to contact your local cooling site, please call the Mercer County Office on Aging at (609) 989-6661 or toll-free at (877) 222-3737. During non-business hours, residents are encouraged to call 911 if they experience heat-related problems.

For more information regarding heat-related emergencies, please visit www.ready.nj.gov, the National Weather Service Heat Safety Tips and Resourcespage or the National Institute on Aging Hot Weather Safety page.

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Culture Environment Lifestyle Local News Science

Park Commission takes ‘green’ approach to new parking lot

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

But rolling stormwater, called stormwater runoff, can gather much worse than moss, including trash, oil, sediment and other troublesome pollutants. And to make matters worse, without the proper infrastructure, the debris often goes straight into our lakes, streams and rivers.

With this in mind, the Mercer County Park Commission found an opportunity to do its part in mitigating the effects of stormwater runoff by designing “green infrastructure” into a parking lot repaving project at John A. Roebling Memorial Park in Hamilton. The park is home to the Tulpehaking Nature Center, which houses the Park Commission’s Environmental Education Department.

 

“As the Park Commission and Mercer County invest in improvements to our park system, we strive to do so in an environmentally conscious way,” said Park Commission Executive Director Aaron T. Watson.

 

“We know that as stewards of over 10,000 acres of open space in the county, our decisions should improve both the quality of life for residents and the environment as a whole.”

 

Roebling Park is located within the 3,000-acre Abbott Marshlands, the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh in the Delaware River watershed. The stormwater from its parking lot drains directly into Spring Lake and the park’s surrounding freshwater tidal marsh.

 

The Abbott Marshlands attracts rare wildlife such as river otter, American eel, and bald eagle. It is also an important stopover for migratory birds along the Atlantic flyway. Unmanaged stormwater runoff can negatively impact water quality and the local ecosystem, create harmful algal blooms, and increase the possibility of flooding.

 

The stormwater runoff has also eroded portions of the existing parking lot and has made Spring Lake less appealing for fishing and boating.

 

Improvements at the Spring Lake access area are scheduled to begin in early September. The plan includes several rain gardens, a green infrastructure option that is both beautiful and effective in form and function. Rain gardens not only absorb rainwater, but they also filter out pollutants and provide food and shelter for local wildlife. More importantly, the rain gardens at the Spring Lake parking lot will capture stormwater runoff before it flows into the lake.

 

Access to Roebling Park from Sewell Avenue in Hamilton will be temporarily closed to the public during construction, but will be reopened when the project is complete.

Various native shrubs, grasses and perennial wildflowers will be planted in the garden, including northern bayberry, swamp milkweed, and woodland phlox. The colorful blooms amongst the grasses will add to the visual appeal of the garden for both people and pollinators.

 

This is a pilot project, which is being funded through the Mercer County Open Space Trust Fund. The results will inform plans for future upgrades at other park facilities, as the Mercer County Park Commission continues to effectively steward its numerous parks and recreation facilities.

 

For more information on rain gardens and how you could make your own, go to http://water.rutgers.edu/Rain_Gardens/RGWebsite/rginfo.html.

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Art & Life Culture Environment Lifestyle Perspectives

Award-winning book a ‘compass for the soul’ that encourages action to protect the planet

NEW YORK — Urging readers to become part of a “powerful sea of change,” author and ecological activist Arwinder Kaur explores thought-provoking perspectives about humanity’s place in the greater whole of the planet in her award-winning book, Living While Human.

 

“What is considered ‘suffering’ or being ‘free’ has as much to do with one’s external circumstances as what goes on internally in our hearts and minds,” Kaur said. “What are rights and privileges, and are humans really entitled to everything we want? These questions and the truths I acquired have been critical in providing me with what I refer to as a ‘compass for the soul.’”

 

In Living While Human, Kaur shares the genesis of her moral compass, tracing her own journey of self-discovery through glimpses into her life-changing experiences, encounters and choices. She finds kernels of simple truths among the clutter, prompting readers to ponder questions such as:

 

• How do we as humans navigate our lives in the complex world we have created?

• Why are we the only species that seems to be struggling to live healthy lives?

• How do we exist as one of countless other species without destroying the planet and ourselves in the process?

• How do we live better lives with a deeper connection to ourselves, others and the earth?

 

“The answers are not locked away in a secret vault,” Kaur said. “In fact, they are much closer and simpler than you might realize.”

 

Kaur also takes a deep dive into systemic issues impacting humanity and the earth itself, and leaves readers with a powerful call to action inviting everyone to join a global response to protect the planet for future generations.

 

“Humans are not exempt from nature’s powerful balancing force, and when any population is a threat to the balance and sustainability of the environment and species, it will be brought back into balance,” Kaur cautioned. “We can do this through intention and choice … or Nature will and must do it for us.”

 

About the Author

Award-winning author and ecological activist Arwinder Kaur has dedicated her life to helping others. After attending Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, she was a social worker specializing in the area of child welfare for almost 30 years.

 

A believer in the power of words, Kaur read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn in 1994 and was propelled into ecological activism and inspired to write Living While Human. Childless by choice, she lives with her genius dog, Monty, near Vancouver, British Columbia. She is also passionate about music, art and tennis.

 

For more information, please visit https://arwinderkaurauthor.com/, or follow the author on Instagram (Living_while_human) or Facebook (Arwinder Kaur).

Categories
Business Energy Environment Lifestyle Science Technology Travel & Leisure

JUXTA introduces game-changing autonomous micro-retail stores to support customers in the electric vehicle charging ecosphere

RALEIGH, N.C. —  JUXTA, a global technology company and micro convenience retail store provider, is poised to revolutionize the retail landscape with the launch of the fully equipped, pre-assembled, autonomously operated JUXTA Nomad.

 

Created to support customers in the rapidly expanding EV charging sector, the JUXTA Nomad can be fully installed and operational within 12 hours, enabling drivers and passengers to purchase food and drinks while waiting for their vehicles to charge.

 

JUXTA is a US-based corporate start-up formed in 2022 by Vontier, a global industrial technology company, which also incorporates Gilbarco Veeder-Root, a world-leading supplier of fueling and convenience store equipment.

 

Om Shankar, JUXTA Co-founder and CEO: “JUXTA was born to deliver a technology-driven step change in the micro-retail landscape. Our mission iFs to support station operators transitioning from traditional hydrocarbon fuel stations to EV charging points and collaborate with established retail brands to extend their presence beyond fuel pumps by adding value to the charging station experience and driving top-line growth.

 

“While there are other players in the autonomous retail ecosphere, JUXTA’s offer is unique, as it is the only turnkey store on the market that does not require complex integrations. Our Nomads are also exclusively targeted at the micro convenience retail landscape and have been specifically designed, developed, and trialed over an eighteen-month period to provide multiple benefits for EV charging operators.”

 

 

“EV players have always known that they have to solve the retail challenge on their sites, but until now, there has been no immediate solution –       JUXTA provides that solution. The JUXTA Nomad is the world’s most technologically advanced walk-in vending machine. All our customers need to do is take delivery, connect to electricity power, stock the shelves, cut the ribbon and then walk away, leaving the Nomad to start retailing immediately.”

 

Solving the labor challenge

The fully autonomous nature of the JUXTA Nomad removes operator dependency on fixed human labor, eradicating the challenge of finding and retaining staff that currently blight the retail sector.

 

With no requirement to accommodate staff or a counter, optimum space is devoted to stock within the 264 square feet (24.5 square meter) Nomad interior. Coupled with state-of-the-art shelving and presentation units, the expanse enables customers to stock between 500 and 600 fast-moving, high-margin items.

 

“The JUXTA Nomad offers the most profitable per square foot retail format in the world,” explains Shankar. “Each Nomad also provides customers with a comprehensive suite of real time data, enabling them to optimize their retail strategy and precision-target their customers by stocking only high-demand items to reduce waste and enhance profitability.”

 

App-free access

While waiting for their vehicles to charge, drivers and passengers can enjoy the ultimate quick and convenient retail experience. With no need to download an app or register for membership, shoppers can gain instant access to the JUXTA Nomad with the touch of a debit or credit card, whether carried physically or stored digitally on their smartphone’s wallet or smartwatch.

 

Once inside the store, customers can select from a range of snacks, sandwiches, hot drinks, and fresh fruit, or select larger items for dinner at home later – whatever the retailer chooses to stock depending on each Nomad’s location and customer purchase data. For example, operators of Nomads positioned by remote EV charging points far from any urban conurbation could prioritize drinks and snacks to be consumed by drivers while waiting for their vehicles to charge. Operators of Nomads located by EV charging stations closer to or within towns and cities could also choose to stock larger items, such as readymade meals, for shoppers to purchase and consume when they return to their homes.

 

Inside the Nomad, shelf and cabinet sensors instantly detect when an item is picked up, and an array of cameras will anonymously identify by whom. The information is combined in the cloud to create a digital basket for each customer. If a family or group of shoppers enter the store, JUXTA’s AI-driven technology will collate their purchases.

 

Where legislation permits, JUXTA’s technology will enable compliant retail of age-restricted items such as alcohol or cigarettes. Contained within specific age-verified fridges and dispensers, restricted items will only be released after cameras have confirmed the purchaser is of appropriate age. The technology will also have the scope to request and verify IDs, such as driving licenses, to confirm the purchaser’s age if necessary.

 

Customers can verify their purchased items on a large touch screen before they exit the store. However, if they prefer to minimize their shopping time, they can walk straight out with their purchases, entrusting JUXTA’s technology to record their purchases and charge their credit or debit card.

 

Benefits beyond the charging station

Whilst JUXTA was born to primarily service the rapidly developing EV sector, the company’s Nomads can offer multiple benefits to other sectors. While the units require an electricity supply, they do not need to be connected to external water supply as in-store water reservoirs are used for hot drinks. A JUXTA Nomad can be transported and installed virtually anywhere within 12 hours. Potential locations include hospital car parks, festivals, campsites, tourist attractions and college campuses. Nor is the internal layout of the JUXTA Nomads limited solely to retailing typical convenience store items. The format can stock whatever the retailer wishes, even camping supplies.

 

JUXTA has developed its Nomads to allow operators and retailers free rein to brand the offer both inside and outside the store. Responsibility for maintenance, cleaning and restocking lies with the operator, with JUXTA’s AI and camera technology able to instantly identify and report any hygiene issues, such as spillages.

 

Depending on how far apart they are geographically dispersed, a single employee should be able to maintain 8 to 12 JUXTA Nomads daily. Access to multiple suppliers can be granted to facilitate the delivery of items such as daily newspapers, milk and fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

Field-proven and primed for global roll-out

JUXTA has successfully proven the efficacy of the hardware and software that underpins its transformative retail offer to the EV charging sector and beyond. The company has concluded a trial of its first autonomous Nomad in North Carolina and confirmed four further customer Nomads in the US, which will be fully operational later this year. JUXTA is also in advanced negotiations with customers in Europe, where it will introduce its first Nomads in 2024.

For media enquiries please contact Ben@influenceassociates.com

About JUXTA

JUXTA is a global technology company and micro convenience retail store provider born to revolutionize micro convenience retail and support the EV charging sector with its industry-first, game-changing, portable, autonomous stores, referred to as JUXTA Nomads. Founded in North Carolina, USA, in 2022, JUXTA is a corporate start-up within Gilbarco Veeder-Root, a world-leading supplier of fueling and convenience store equipment and subsidiary of global industrial technology company Vontier.

 

Benefitting from the agile nature of a start-up and the backing of a global corporation, JUXTA is uniquely positioned to provide the global EV charging sector with the instant, effortless to operate, highly efficient and hyper-targeted retail solution it requires, while offering the same advantages to numerous other sectors. The company has already proven the efficacy of its proprietary hardware and software and is set to roll out the JUXTA Nomad across the U.S. and Europe.

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Sprouts announces 24 school garden builds in 24 hours in 24 communities

Foundation invests over half a million dollars directly into local schools for nutrition education, academic learning

 

PHOENIX — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #24gardensin24hours—The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation announced today that it is awarding 24 schools across the U.S. with a new or refreshed learning garden as part of the “24 Gardens in 24 Hours in 24 Communities” contest, that was launched in April to celebrate Earth Month. From a pool of over 3,000 nominations by Sprouts customers, a three-month process involving interviews and thorough vetting generated in the selection of the final 24 schools.

On Saturday, Sept. 23 an estimated 500 Sprouts team members across the country will join together to install these learning spaces, building 24 school gardens in 24 hours. Companywide volunteer service days have become an annual tradition for Sprouts, whose team members have donated more than 10,000 service hours over the last five years, working to bring these programs to life for kids.

 

“Sprouts is committed to providing children with hands-on educational experiences that shape how they think about food. We believe that our Foundation’s efforts to make these connections will play a pivotal role for children to develop an understanding of the importance of healthy eating,” said Nick Konat, president and chief operating officer of Sprouts.

 

“We are also very excited for our team members to give back to their local communities on September 23rd as we build these learning gardens in 24 hours.”

 

In addition to funding the physical garden spaces, the Foundation’s donation will also support training for educators at each school site to learn how to effectively incorporate the garden into teaching practices across all grade levels. By teaming-up with KidsGardening, a national nonprofit focused on this work, each of the 24 schools will become part of a learning community, where teachers responsible for the garden space will receive ongoing technical assistance and mentoring for the full school year.

 

“This program is exciting because we are able to invite our customers to help us connect with new schools through the nomination process,” said Lyndsey Waugh, executive director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. “These schools represent 24 incredible communities, comprised of teachers and students, that will now have access to an outdoor garden, where classroom lessons can be brought to life through hands-on learning, and where students can experience the magic of watching seeds sprout, and fresh fruits and vegetables grow. We are glad we can play a role in making this possible.”

 

“Sprouts is a true partner who listens and understand what it takes to operate a successful garden program – and investing in teacher training and compensation for educators operating their garden spaces is the key ingredient to building effective and sustainable school garden programs,” said Em Shipman, executive director of KidsGardening.

 

Since its inception in 2015, the Foundation has granted $18M to more than 400 nonprofit partners focused on advancing children’s nutrition education and school-based gardening programs. This year alone, more than 3 million students across the U.S. will benefit from programs supported by Sprouts.

 

A list of the contest winning finalists can be found at sprouts.com/schoolgardenwinners

 

Winning schools are in 23 states across the U.S. in Sprouts Farmers Market communities including: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

 

Garden Giveaway Winners Receive:

  • $15,000 – $20,000 garden construction grant awarded directly to the selected school to build a new learning garden or refresh an existing garden space on campus.
  • $5,000 program grant to support nutrition education lessons in the garden.
  • The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation will partner with each winning school to coordinate a volunteer workday for the garden build or garden refresh on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
  • Ongoing professional development and 1:1 support to sustain their learning garden program.

 

To learn more, visit https://about.sprouts.com/sprouts-foundation/.

 

About Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation

The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is helping kids grow healthy through nutrition education and hands-on gardening programs that bring learning to life. In partnership with nonprofit organizations, from school gardens to youth cooking programs, we’re teaching children how to grow and prepare fresh, nutritious foods, empowering them with the tools to develop lifelong healthy eating habits. Since 2015, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation has donated more than $18 million to advance nutrition education and access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and this year alone, over three million children will be impacted by nutrition education and garden-based learning programs, funded by Sprouts.

 

About Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.

Sprouts is the place where goodness grows. True to its farm-stand heritage, Sprouts offers a unique grocery experience featuring an open layout with fresh produce at the heart of the store. Sprouts inspires wellness naturally with a carefully curated assortment of better-for-you products paired with purpose-driven people. The healthy grocer continues to bring the latest in wholesome, innovative products made with lifestyle-friendly ingredients such as organic, plant-based and gluten-free. Headquartered in Phoenix, and one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States, Sprouts employs approximately 31,000 team members and operates approximately 380 stores in 23 states nationwide. This year Sprouts celebrates its 20th anniversary. To learn more about Sprouts, and the good it brings communities, visit about.sprouts.com.

Contacts

480-263-0441, media@sprouts.com