the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, while the Village of Ridgewood Council plots to clear cut over 200 trees at Schedler park , the village has begun the second phase of its tree inventory project, this time a three-week survey of the estimated 2,000 trees along county roads and public parks.
The survey, started on July 10, is being conducted by Davey Resource Group on behalf of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission and the Parks and Recreation Department, said Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Bigos. Shade Tree Commission Chair Carolyn Jacoby told North Jersey Media the inventory is a “critically important component” of efforts to secure a thriving tree canopy within the community for future generations.
Councilwoman Siobhan Winograd, who serves as liaison to the Shade Tree Commission, was also quoted by North Jersey Media saying the survey “underscores Ridgewood’s commitment to safeguarding our tree canopy and promoting its vitality for future generations.” And it gets even funnier given Councilwoman Siobhan Winograd is spearheading to move to clear cut Schedler. “The survey will produce a database that promises to help officials to direct our limited resources to planting and removing diseased trees in the most effective way possible,” Winograd said. “This important tree inventory will allow our Village Council to better manage and fund our tree initiatives.”
Ridgewood’s Community Forestry Management Plan calls for planting at least 350 new trees annually and budgeting for the maintenance of existing trees that are healthy.
Shade trees offer numerous advantages, both for the environment and for human well-being. Here are some key benefits of shade trees:
- Temperature regulation: Shade trees play a vital role in reducing the temperature in their immediate surroundings. They provide shade that blocks direct sunlight, helping to cool the air and reduce the urban heat island effect. This can lower energy costs by reducing the need for air conditioning.
- Energy conservation: By creating shade and reducing the temperature around buildings, shade trees can lower the demand for air conditioning, thereby reducing energy consumption. This can lead to significant cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint.
- Improved air quality: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, helping to mitigate climate change. They also filter airborne pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, and harmful gases, improving air quality in urban areas.
- Stormwater management: The canopy of shade trees intercepts rainwater, reducing the impact of heavy rainfall and minimizing soil erosion. Tree roots also help absorb and retain water, reducing stormwater runoff and the risk of flooding.
- Biodiversity support: Shade trees provide habitat and food sources for a wide range of birds, insects, and other wildlife. By promoting biodiversity, they contribute to the overall health of ecosystems and help maintain a balanced and resilient environment.
- Aesthetic and property value: Trees enhance the beauty of landscapes, streetscapes, and neighborhoods. They provide shade and create a pleasant ambiance, increasing property values and attracting potential homebuyers or tenants.
- Psychological well-being: Spending time in the presence of trees has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mental health. Trees provide a sense of tranquility and connection with nature, which can promote relaxation and overall well-being.
- Noise reduction: Trees can act as natural sound barriers, absorbing and deflecting noise from roads, construction sites, and other sources. They help create quieter and more peaceful environments, especially in urban areas.
- Erosion control: The extensive root systems of shade trees help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly on slopes or areas prone to landslides. This is crucial for preserving the integrity of landscapes and protecting valuable land from degradation.
- Social and community benefits: Shade trees create inviting spaces for outdoor activities, fostering community interaction, and promoting social cohesion. Parks, playgrounds, and green spaces with shade trees encourage physical activity, improve mental health, and contribute to a higher quality of life for residents.
These advantages illustrate the significant value that shade trees provide, making them an essential component of sustainable urban planning and environmental conservation efforts.
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Just keep cutting down healthy trees until there’s nothing left. And then we wonder why we’re having so many environmental problems. This certainly doesn’t help the situation.
Jeezus…what’s the matter with these people ?
I think the question should be, what’s right with these people?
Yes – that would be the shorter answer!
Get rid of this Bi***h, she’s a total moron. The idiots that voted her into office must be so proud of themselves.
The hypocrisy of this Village Council is astounding! The majority block which consists of Paul, Pam, Siobahn and Evan, have all voted on an artificial turf mega field sports complex on the Schedler property, so saving the trees is not a priority. The Village Engineer will create some ridiculous plan to take them down because he will say that they are dead (lies). They will stop at nothing to get this and will cut all of the trees down on that property and also the adjacent property if acquired. Other parks are on the priority list, but not Schedler because they don’t care and it goes against their agenda. This is the WORST Village Council in the history of Ridgewood and once they build this field, this will be their legacy failure as it won’t be used. People playing on Route 17 is dangerous, unhealthy with a giant plastic toxic field poisoning the private wells and groundwater of that community.
They have made a deal with the devil, prior to the election. No matter what it takes and at what costs it doesn’t matter.
Toxic turf it will be. Just read the most recent Ridgewood Water Company report. Your hair will curl.
Throw a striped tent over Village Hall. Ridgewood is officially a circus filled with clowns.
Next VC meeting I’m coming dressed as a clown!
I’m afraid I don’t understand the rush to cut the trees before THOSE members of the Council even find out if it will be possible to “undeclare” Schedler “historic”. And, if it is so “undeclared”, I don’t believe THOSE members of the Council understand that if they do get the area declared “unhistoric” it’s going to cost them mega bucks to return the money that various historical groups donated to the preservation of the house and property. They seem to be acting as if those monies were a gift they don’t have to return. Any one have some huge things to prop open their eyes so maybe they can get a glimpse of reality?
Greenwashing is where people make you believe that they are working to preserve the environmentent but do the opposite, all the while making it look good. Ridgewood is guilty of Greenwashing. with this Council in particular. First there was the Proclamation on Trees that Siobahn read highlighting the importance of trees for our health and well-being, then she noted Ridgewood as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, we have the Shade Tree Commission, now this project which clearly states: “”Davey Resource Group is expected to be working in the village for at least three weeks to gather information that promises to help Ridgewood better understand the composition, structure and maintenance needs of its urban forest,” Bigos said.” Further Ms. Bigos has confirmed that the scope and priority for Parks are Citizens’ Park, Veterans Field, Maple Park, Habernickel Park, Van Neste Square. The article goes on to say “Shade Tree Commission Chair Carolyn Jacoby said the inventory is a “critically important component” of efforts to secure a thriving tree canopy within the community for future generations.” How can the Village allow many acres of trees to be cut down at Schedler and then pretend to care about trees. Total and undeniable hypocrisy, plain as day.
I’m all for planting trees. But why put under power lines?
On my block, they planted at least 6 trees recently and all under power lines.
One person had a dead tree taken down that was on their lawn. Replaced near the curb under a power line..
can I get some for firewood?
Don’t forget that if we buy 501 SRR then those trees would go also.
And Mayor P wants to get rid of the big tree so he can build the big sports complex. Field of Soccer Mommies.
Siobahn is a useless twit and doesn’t belong on the Council. As for the ridiculous charade being conducted by the historic consultant who kept talking non-stop about all of the people he knows and about how he completed his assignments, some of which he has not yet completed because he wants more $$$, in the end I think everyone’s heads were spinning. According to him, Siobahn gave him a ride around town and provided him with documents and historic context of Ridgewood, as she is now also a historian having grown up here. It is mind boggling to think that these idiots, including the consultant, are going to be spending big bucks to ensure they get this field built with the hard earned tax money of this nonsense. Paul kept thanking him for his thorough examination of the materials, what a joke. A high school student could have read them and probably would have realized that further research was required. This guy will phone it in, charge big bucks and these dummies will vote on it!
The only positive remaining characteristic of Ridgewood is charming old growth trees…. and these dopes want to cut them down.
Check out the Movie LORAX. That’s where liberals will be taking us. It will come a day when trees will be a thing of the past.
Peter Primavera said you shouldn’t be concerned about trees. We must have paid him some big wampum to say whatever Paul wants him to say. Meanwhile, still no ballfield, and still no uses for the 2.6 million dollar renovated house.
one correction , PJ its more like 500 trees
Well hopefully someone is doing an OPRA on Paulie’s personal email account (igth4@aol.com) to see what he sent to Primavera or anyone else (sports community members, etc) regarding the Schedler property. Additionally, Siobahn picked this guy up at the train station and tooled around Ridgewood giving him the historical perspective based on her “knowledge” of all things Ridgewood, including a sword which she says is not historical despite other information out there. The world according to Winograd should also be part of an OPRA investigation as she provided documents to Mr. Primavera in order for him to make his assessment which was basically a summary with no factual references.
The Mayor kept praising the historic guy but not sure what for. He basically read a few documents, called no one, said he was going to reach out and didn’t and yet he kept stating that he “completed his assignment” to the tune of $6,800. He also exclaimed that in order to save the Village money, he didn’t cite any historical references or put footnotes or meeting minutes in his summary. Something that is super basic that even a high school student would be expected to do, but not this guy. He will laugh all the way to the bank with Ridgewood’s checkbook. Easy money to basically read a few documents and then summarize the evil plot to take historic designation away from the property or move the house. It is like watching a bad movie where the villian just keeps talking and talking in the hope that you would eventually lose track or lose interest in what he is saying, a kind of shell game if you will. Then the other villians (Paul and Siobahn and maybe Pam) all nod their heads and agree because they know that if they say this guy knows what he is talking about then they will get their field. After witnessing this fantastical theater in the round like out of a Shakespearian play, the curtain closes on a few people who didn’t have time to speak during public comments because this guy rambled for 90 minutes.
Interesting that this consultant is being picked up at the train station and driven around by Siobahn. Is that ethical? Does this show favoritism. Does she pick up other consultants or contractors working for the Village in her car. Is running a side hustle as an Uber driver? She is also quite the historian and provided a “treasure trove” of information to Mr. Primavera, while they were tooling around.
sometimes hypocrisy defines itself
Hypocrites just like the Delaware River Keeper said. You vote on the Green Amendment and then on turf the same night. Way to go Ridgewood! You are a laughing stock.