Dave Watson-Hallowell, Co-Founder & President

Dave is one of the founding members of SWM and is on the Executive and Planning Committees.  He is the leader for the Clean Air, Water & Soil, and the Sustainable Economy Task Force, and is part of the Cool Cities Task Force.

I have a deep connection with nature and the outdoors.  My interest in sustainability has grown out of my work with small, rural, disadvantaged communities, and my desire to do something for my own community, especially during this transitional time of the Highlands Act.

I am also the President of Highlands Ecotours, an organization dedicated to "enabling customers to share, protect, and preserve the natural beauty of the Highlands through an enhanced understanding, respect, and connection with nature".

When I am not working on SWM or HET business, I head up the Community Sparkplug and Self Help programs of the Rensselaerville Institute, working with rural communities to develop their own capacity to become self sufficient and sustainable.  

Contact Dave at DavidH3168@aol.com

Wendy Watson-Hallowell, Co-Founder & Vice President

Wendy is one of the original founding members and is part of the Executive, Education/Communications, Fundraising & Planning Committees.  She is also on the Recycle/Re-Use/Reduce Task Force.

I love this town I have lived in for the past 11 years.  When the Highlands Act was enacted, the entire tax base changed for West Milford and the township could no longer make revenue from land development as they had in the past.  My biggest concern was that the town would invite in large box stores & national chains - which would destroy our towns' uniqueness, or they would invite environmentally destructive tourism - both as local government revenue strategies to save our beleaguered economy and increase ratables. My husband, Dave, learned about and proposed the idea of 'sustainable communities'.  Together we decided to use all of our skills and experience from our consulting and community development work to begin a grass roots effort for change.

When I am not involved in Sustainable West Milford projects, I manage outcome-based consulting work with Foundations across the country for The Rensselaerville Institute as their Director of Foundations. 

I am an author, singer, and life-coach in my 'spare' time.

Contact Wendy at wdfrontier@aol.com  

 Amy Jolin

Amy is the Executive Director of 'Eat Local Inc', a non-profit in Ringwood NJ dedicated to teaching people the value of sustainable food, farm and community.

Jade Fiskaa

Jade is on the Executive, Fundraising and Planning Committees, and is on the Green Living Task Force.

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Norma & Karl Stehle

Norma & Karl are retired West Milford teachers and remain active environmental educators. Their claim to fame almost 20 years ago was their McToxic campaign that helped ban styrofoam from the schools. Their activism carved a path in a nation-wide outcry of students for environmental accountablity throughout the nation.  They were organic gardeners long before it became fashionable and take great pride in being part of the community garden.  "After all these years in West Milford, I finally feel that I have found my community." Norma says.  Besides gardening, the Stehles are world travellers with a mission of stewardship and living lightly.
 

Contact them at slabside@optonline.net
   

Renee Bettini Allessio

Renee is on the Fundraising and Planning Committees, and is the leader for the Recycle/Re-Use/Reduce Task Force.

I am part of Sustainable West Milford because it's all about building a local sustainable community and economy. I see the rising cost of energy and food worldwide and the threat of global warming and know that I want to be part of the solution. We educate and we empower each other and have accomplished so much in less than 2 years. The bumper sticker on my Prius reads "Think Globally Act Locally" That's what we do.

I am also an active member of West Milford Beautification and Recycling Task Force Committee. I currently work for the Passaic County Health Department as the Right to Know Project Specialist. When I get to relax, I like to garden, hike with our dogs, write, take photos, watch movies, and do some art work.

Contact Renee at rballessio@hotmail.com

Robin Rose Bennett

Robin is on the Planning Committee, and leads the Land Use Task Force.  She is also the director of the Native Medicinal Plant Garden.

Contact Robin at robin@robinrosebennett.com

Suzie Blodgett

I have been an environmentalist for most of my adult life, which began with a passion for the ocean and the marine mammals that live there.  So much of what we do has an impact on the ocean so it was natural for that passion to spread to the environment and wildlife as a whole.  As individuals, as communities, as groups and as businesses, we all need to do our part to make sustainable decisions so that we minimize our impact on the planet, while leaving the resources necessary for future generations to sustain themselves. 

One of my goals is to educate others about treading lightly, the importance of choosing environmentally friendly products while consuming less, and how to eliminate toxic elements from their lives.  My involvement with Sustainable West Milford helps me to do that while spending time with a wonderful group of inspiring and passionate individuals working towards similar goals.

My education is in Interior Design and I specialize in green design.  I own a green design showroom and organic home store on Main Street in Boonton called Green Elements, which is where I spend most of my time these days!  I am a volunteer firefighter with Apshawa Fire Company in West Milford.  I am also involved with other environmental groups and groups active in the green community. 

Whenever time allows, I try to spend every free moment outside enjoying hiking, camping, kayaking, riding my motorcycle or my beach cruiser down by the shore.  

Mahatma Gandhi once said "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."  I can't imagine better words to live by.

Contact Suzie at sblodgett@greenelementsdesign.com

Anne Thornton

Anne is on the Organic Food & Farming Task Force and helps out however she is able to in all areas of Sustainable West Milford.

I became involved in Sustainable West Milford when I donated ½ an acre of my property for the Community Garden.  Watching the garden flourish and the members learn about growing food makes me happy to be a part of this organization.  Growing up in West Milford I have seen a lot of changes, but I feel SWM is bringing the community back into this township.  I believe Sustainable West Milford is making a lot of much needed changes and they are doing a great deal of good along the way.

When I am not working on Sustainable West Milford projects I am a Volunteer & Group Tour Coordinator for the New Jersey Botanical Garden’s Skyland Association.  I am a private gardener for home owners and small businesses, specializing in pruning Japanese Laceleaf Maple trees.  I am also an editor & writer, and have been working on a book for the past several years about growing up in West Milford.

Contact Anne at applacre@optonline.net