The Municipal Blue Star Program

The Municipal Blue Star program combines the visionary Sustainable Jersey Program with Clean Ocean Action’s focus on water quality protection. Our goal is to inspire coastal towns to achieve Sustainable Jersey Certification and reap its benefits, while at the same time focusing on watershed-wide water quality improvements. The Blue Star Program officially launched in 2014.

Any municipality registered or certified in the Sustainable Jersey program is eligible to work toward the Blue Star certification. In order to receive Blue Star Certification, the municipality must become Sustainable Jersey certified.

Nearly all of New Jersey's waters fail to meet the fishable, swimmable, and drinkable goals of our laws. Most of these issues are a result of our everyday actions, and the way we use land and water resources. Fortunately, many can be fixed or prevented with small changes within our daily lives and communities. Through this Blue Star initiative, not only will your community become a leader in environmental stewardship, but you will help ensure the resiliency and vitality of a clean coastal ecosystem and economy. 

Please contact advocate@CleanOceanAction.org if you intend to pursue Municipal Blue Star Certification in 2019 before completing any actions.

All certified Municipal Blue Stars will receive an acknowledgment package which includes a celebratory Blue Star Award event and an attractive plaque. The Sustainable Jersey and Blue Star programs:

1. Improve and protect the economic and environmental future of the community
2. Reduce costs through green initiatives, while increasing municipal funds through enforcement 
3. Promote healthy waters, resilient communities, and environmentally sound practices
4. Showcase communities as statewide role models through COA media spotlights
5. Increase community pride and participation

Sustainable Jersey is an action and point-based certification program for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term.

The program promotes the 3 equal, interrelated components of sustainability: 

•Prosperity: support your local economy and use community resources 

•Planet: practice responsible environmental management and conservation

•People: embrace social equality and fairness.

For information about getting involved with the Blue Star Program, please contact Zack Karvelas.

Clean Ocean Action acknowledges the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation for their generous support.