April Green Events
April is Earth Month, a time where we can raise environmental awareness and create consciousness around the issues that directly affect mother nature. Throughout the month environmental activists from all over the world work together to create sustainable development and offer climate solutions, with a goal of minimizing our carbon footprint and preventing further harm to our planet’s natural resources. In Madison, our Green Teams have partnered together to provide multiple free events for residents, visitors, and neighbors to attend, all of which have one overarching goal – working towards a greener and cleaner Madison. Learn more about the events, and register (when necessary), below.
April 3 - April 28
Hosted by Great Swamp Watershed Association in partnership with the Madison Environmental Commission, the Garden Club of Madison, and 15 other local towns.
Our joint goal is to foster broad adoption of native plant gardens across our area to create necessary habitat for the pollinator insects and bird communities that are foundation elements of our local ecosystem. Choose from an expanded variety of kits and individual species. Order online through April 28, then pick up your plants on May 6 at a location near you. Learn more about native pollinator plants and why they are important, and find out what plants that will be available here.
April 19 | 1:00-5:00 P.M.
The EV Expo is coming back to Madison. On Wednesday, April 19, the eye-catching cars parked outside Sunday Motor Co. Café in Madison won’t be gas guzzlers.
This "Drive Electric Earth Day” event sponsored by the Environmental Commissions of Madison, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, and in partnership with Sunday Motor Co. Café, will hold the event from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. in their parking lot and on Kings Road between Green Village Road and Madison Avenue. Please note that road closures will occur during this period due to expanded participation.
Area car dealers will bring their latest EV models for attendees to see. Confirmed attendees include Ford, Volvo, Tesla, Lucid, VW, Audi, Porsche, Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes, Chevy, BMW, Polestar, and Subaru. In addition, for a peek into the future, the Rutgers Solar Powered Car will be on display.
Several brands of E-bicycles will also be on display from Hilltop Bicycles, as well as Ace Hardware showcasing EGO cordless outdoor equipment with the power and performance of gas — without the noise, fuss, and fumes.
Madison Mayor Robert H. Conley says that “The EV future is coming and coming quick. Madison, through our Climate Action Committee, is committed to expanding our fleet of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) wherever possible so that we can achieve our climate goals, which are in-line with the state’s goals.” Madison has ten dual level 2 public electric vehicle charging stations, with one level 3 charger coming by the end of 2023. Chatham and Chatham Township together have three charging station locations.
Madison will showcase their two plug-in electric vehicles, both Chevy Bolts, which are used by Parking Enforcement and the Building Department.
Sunday Motor Co. Cafe is located at 27 Kings Road, Madison. Admission to the Expo is free.
April 20 | 7:00 P.M.
Madison’s Green Home Energy Forum, which takes place on Thursday April 20 from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. at the Madison Community Arts Center (10 Kings Road), will help residents incorporate energy efficiency and sustainable strategies at home. Local experts will talk about everything from solar panels and heat pumps to weatherproofing and indoor air quality. Residents will be on hand to share their experiences with home energy audits and green home renovations. The forum, organized by Madison’s new Climate Action Committee and Madison Environmental Commission, is designed so residents can plan energy updates to save money while improving home health and comfort.
“Over 60% percent of Madison’s carbon footprint comes from our buildings so updating our homes is critical to achieving our climate goals,” says Kirsten Wallenstein, event organizer and a member of the Madison Environmental Commission and the Climate Action Committee.
Register here. Admission for this event is free.
April 29 | 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
The Downtown Development Commission (DDC) is launching a total refresh of the event formerly known as May Day, and the event will now be called Madison Green & Clean. The event will still incorporate a townwide beautification day on Saturday, April 29, from 9:00 to 3:00 pm but will now include a new focus on Eco-Friendly Initiatives. DDC Chair Deb Starker hopes "Everyone will join the DDC at Madison Green & Clean on April 29, as well as the other planned community events in April. A clean, green community provides a healthier, more pleasant environment and benefits us all!"
In the weeks leading up to the event, the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce will encourage downtown businesses to decorate their shop windows in an eco-friendly, green theme. The Madison Public Library, working with the Chamber, will sponsor a StoryWalk Project featuring the book "The Curious Garden". Pages from the book will be showcased in shop windows, creating a scavenger hunt for families to follow throughout town.
The April 29 event will kick off with the annual Borough Arbor Day Celebration at 9:00 am at the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building. The day will feature the traditional Townwide Spring Cleanup. Residents, businesses, organizations, and civic groups will volunteer to clean streets and parks, pick up trash, and spread mulch truckloads. While the cleanup is happening, eco presentations and screenings will take place at the Madison Community Arts Center (10 Kings Road). In the area around the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, local environmental groups and various vendors will provide information and sell their products. In addition, live music will be provided throughout the day.
Please consider supporting this great Madison Community Event by volunteering, donating, or sponsoring! Email ddc@rosent or call 973-245-3493 for more information.
Learn more by clicking here.
April 29 | 9:00 A.M.
In honor of Madison’s 38th annual Tree City USA award from the Arbor Day Foundation, the Friends of Madison Shade Trees and the Borough's Shade Tree Management Board will present remarks and artwork by Madison school children and present the Tree City flag to Mayor Robert Conley. This event will be held inside Hartley Dodge Memorial and is free for all in attendance.
May 6 | 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Now is the time to start checking your closets, basement, and garage for those hidden treasures and prepare to host a yard sale at this community event with Madison and the Chathams. Due to being postponed because of the weather, the spring town-wide yard sale will take place on Saturday, May 6 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Register to have your address and a list of your items for sale to appear on a digital, printable map. Registration costs $10, and is a tax-deductible donation to benefit the Great Swamp Watershed Association. Learn more and register here.