Hopewell Valley has earned designation as a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat, recognizing a years-long volunteer effort to expand wildlife-friendly spaces throughout Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough and Pennington Borough.
The certification, announced this week, was awarded after the three municipalities collectively surpassed the 225 points required by the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program. The designation recognizes communities that create and protect habitat for native plants, pollinators, birds and other wildlife while encouraging sustainable landscaping practices. It also earns Sustainable Jersey points and can improve eligibility for future grant opportunities.
The effort was led by Hopewell Valley Gardens for Wildlife, a volunteer initiative spearheaded by Hopewell Township Environmental Commission member Kirsi Bhasin. Commission members Jeanne DeMoss, Andrew Plunkett, along with volunteer Nadia Athmejvar were also instrumental in advancing the project.
“We are proud to announce that Hopewell Valley, including Hopewell Township, Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough, has successfully achieved the National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat certification,” Hopewell Township Deputy Mayor Uma Purandare said.
Purandare said the designation reflects the dedication of the Environmental Commission, township staff and community partners.
“It highlights Hopewell Valley’s commitment to protecting our rich environmental heritage and creating spaces where native plants, pollinators, birds and other wildlife can thrive for generations to come,” she said. “This achievement also supports our ongoing efforts to earn Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification.”
A Valley-Wide Effort
Unlike many environmental initiatives that focus on a single municipality, the certification recognizes the collective work of all three Hopewell Valley communities.
Residents, schools, businesses, parks and public spaces all contributed by creating or certifying wildlife habitats that provide five essential elements for wildlife: food, water, cover, places to raise young and sustainable gardening practices.
Hopewell Valley’s designation as a Community Wildlife Habitat is a powerful reflection of what is possible when a community comes together around a shared vision for promoting biodiversity in their landscape,” said Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space Executive Director Jennifer Rogers. “From individual backyards to parks, schools and public spaces, this achievement grew from a truly diverse collective effort to restore native habitat and support pollinators–work that ultimately enhances our own quality of life. This is not just a milestone, but a model for how local action can drive meaningful ecological change and inspire communities beyond.
Community volunteers also established native plant gardens at locations including Woolsey Park, the Hopewell Township Municipal Building, Aunt Chubby’s and the Hopewell Valley Pool, while supporting annual tree ceremonies at schools throughout the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.
“Without a budget, we relied on persistence, community support and teamwork to build habitat where people live, learn and gather,” Bhasin said in a statement announcing the certification. “It’s been hard work—but it’s made a real difference.”
“It is tremendously heartening to learn that the entire Valley of Hopewell, including the two boroughs, has been certified for providing: plants that serve as food for wildlife as tiny as insects to larger birds and mammals; water for all animals; cover for protection from predators, people and harsh weather; places to raise young; as well as for adopting sustainable practices ranging from planting native plants, to growing meadows instead of lawns, and avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides,” Pennington Borough Councilman Daniel Rubenstein said. “Kudos to all of us on a job well done”.
Measuring Progress
Hopewell Township Mayor David Chait said the designation demonstrates how local volunteer efforts can contribute to broader municipal sustainability goals.
“This is a real milestone for the entire Hopewell Valley,” Chait said. “Thank you and congratulations to the Hopewell Valley Gardens for Wildlife team and everyone who supported this initiative.”
Chait noted that programs such as the National Wildlife Federation certification and Sustainable Jersey recognize measurable accomplishments.
“Programs like this and Sustainable Jersey matter because they reward real, measurable action, not just good intentions,” he said. “Municipalities earn points for concrete steps, and those points are how residents can actually see we are moving the needle on sustainability.”
He said the certification complements work already underway throughout Hopewell Valley.
“This effort is exactly that kind of work,” Chait said. “It is local, it is measurable, and it complements the goals our three towns are already committed to. This achievement is the Hopewell Valley at its best.”
“We were proud to contribute through local education, and outreach” said Kieran John chair of the Pennington Environmental Commission. “This certification is something the entire Hopewell Valley can be proud of. It recognizes not only the value of wildlife habitat and native plantings, but also the power of community-led environmental action. For Pennington, it fits closely with the Environmental Commission’s broader goals of education, stewardship, and creating public spaces that help residents connect with nature.”
Building Habitat One Garden at a Time
Hopewell Valley Gardens for Wildlife has operated as a volunteer-led initiative without a dedicated budget, encouraging residents, schools, businesses and community organizations to create habitat using native plants and sustainable landscaping practices.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program builds on individual Certified Wildlife Habitats, encouraging neighborhoods and municipalities to work together to improve biodiversity while creating healthier environments for pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
Organizers say they hope the certification will inspire even more residents to add native plants and certify their own properties, continuing to build on the momentum that helped Hopewell Valley achieve this latest environmental milestone.
Editor’s note: This story was updated from the original version to include additional voices from community.
