In an effort to be both environmentally friendly and provide responsible recycling, Public Works Director George Snyder searched for a place to deliver the Township’s discarded Christmas trees. As a result, Hopewell Township is delivering castoff Christmas trees to Brigantine, where they collect them to help rebuild their dunes. This is a 25+ year project for the town. Each year they decide which part of their beach to build up in this way. They then lay the trees lengthwise, parallel to the ocean, they catch the sand, and build up over time. This establishes another level of dune protection, as well as providing cover for the birds over the winter and nutrients for the grass and other vegetation. Supporting the dunes this way is much more environmentally friendly than their other options, such as dredging or bulldozing sand to build up the dunes. In 2020 Brigantine placed nearly 4000 trees over a 10 block area.

This year Hopewell Township’s trees are part of the effort. It’s the ultimate in recycling!

Pictured above, Public Works employees Al Re and Matt Reading in front of trucks filled with trees to be delivered to Brigantine.

Christmas trees in the dunes.