Northeast Earth Coalition

10/15/2026

The 2026 Montclair Film Festival is about to begin! Among the incredible films in this year’s lineup, we’re especially excited to share our short, A DERAILMENT, which is part of Film Festival Resilience Shorts Event focusing on environmental issues. We are reaching out to you specifically because we thought the film’s focus on the community affected by the East Palestine Train Derailment would be of interest to you due to your group’s focus on community environmental activism

At 8:55pm on February 3, 2023, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Told entirely through found footage and news archive, A DERAILMENT puts you in the center of disaster.

A Q&A with attending filmmakers follows the screening.

When: Saturday, October 17 @ 12:00 PM
Where: The Claridge Theater

We’d love for you to share this with your organization members and their families, and join us for this unforgettable evening!

Get your tickets here:

https://festival.montclairfilm.org/events/resilienceshorts/

09/27/2026

Last night was a beautiful celebration of community, friendship, environmental stewardship, and the true American spirit of community engagement, volunteerism, and mutual support.

I feel deeply blessed to have shared such a meaningful evening with friends and supporters of the Northeast Earth Coalition, especially those who have been part of this journey from the very beginning, serving NEEC with dedication as volunteers and board members.

Together, we have accomplished so much, and the slideshow of photos capturing our memories, milestones, and collective work was profoundly moving.

On a personal level, I was touched beyond words by the audience singing happy birthday to me and surrounding me with such a powerful demonstration of love and support.

The event was a wonderful success despite the threat of severe weather—thank God Mother Nature was on our side! Our Doug Ruccione did an excellent job as Master of Ceremony. The Jon Luks Trio was outstanding, and the Los Angeles Mariachi brought so much joy, energy, and warmth to the evening. Guests enjoyed the delicious buffet prepared by Mexoco, danced to the music, and celebrated together in a spirit of happiness and unity.

The silent auction was also a remarkable success; every item was taken home, and the funds raised will directly support our programs and the communities we serve.

Thank you to Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill for recognizing our 10 years of community work. Special thanks to Dr. Renee Baskerville,Mayor of Montclair, for her grace, loving presence, and contagious happiness. We were also grateful for the support and presence of Dr. Eileen Birmingham, Second Ward Councilor. I also want to acknowledge the beautiful message of support and recognition from our Deputy Mayor and Councilor-At-Large, Susan Shin Andersen.

Words cannot fully express our deep gratitude to all our supporters, especially our friends from Union Congregational Church Of Montclair, and Glen Ridge Congregational Church. God bless you all!

I offer my eternal gratitude to our Board Members—Nancy Taiani, Munira Bootwala, Marcia Almeida, Tony Allen, and James Cornejo—who worked tirelessly to help organize this special event. Thank you Luzc Bautista!!! And above all, David Wasmuth was the hero behind the scenes, dedicating months of care, time, and energy to make the evening possible. Thank you, David, and thank you to everyone who made this celebration a reflection of love, service, and community.

Our gratitude to our sponsors: Partners for Health, Montclair Center BID, Glen Ridge Congregational Church, Mulvey Custom Contracting, Union Congregational Church, Outpost in the Burbs, Insite Architects, Bloomfield Cemetery, David Moxley-Keller Williams, Anderson Electric, Tech Runners, MUD, Terra Restaurant, The Montclair Film, Playa Taqueria, Tinga Restaurant, Nancy Taiani, and our generous anonymous donors.

On behalf of all our beneficiaries, big thanks to everyone who supported us last night.

09/26/2026

Good morning,

The big day has arrived! We are looking forward to greeting you at NEEC’s special 10th anniversary celebration this evening.

At this point, the weather forecast is on our side, with a window of only 20-40% chance of rain in the evening. With the serious wind and rain expected to move in after we finish, we are fortunate that Mother Nature seems to be giving us a window to gather, celebrate, and look ahead with hope.

Here are a few helpful details so you can arrive with ease, settle in comfortably, and enjoy an evening filled with music, memories, community, and celebration:

Arriving

1. The venue at 195 Ridgewood Avenue, but the entrance is through a side door on Clark Street. NEEC signs will point you to the right direction.
2. Parking is available on Ridgewood Avenue and Clark Street. There are no meters, and although some spaces are marked “Permit Only,” this doesn’t apply on weekends.
3. Please check in at the registration table when you arrive, where our volunteers will welcome you.

Celebrating Together

1. A silent auction table located just inside will offer many tempting items – trips, arts and crafts, restaurant meals, and much more. A festive photo backdrop will be available for selfies and social media photos.
2. Live music by the Jonathan Luks Trio will begin at 6:45 and the Mexican buffet will open at 7:15 p.m. There will be a visit by a mariachi band later in the evening.
3. Drinks and refreshments will be available for self-service beginning at 6:30.
4. A special slideshow will run in the background throughout the evening, honoring the history of NEEC and celebrating the people, memories, and shared purpose that continue to move us forward.

The NEEC Team

09/21/2026

The Northeast Earth Coalition will mark its 10-year anniversary with a Fall Harvest Fiesta.

09/14/2026

The Northeast Earth Coalition is deeply grateful to the seven enthusiastic Montclair State University student volunteers who donated their time and energy on their annual day of service in honor of those lost on September 11, 2001.

These dedicated volunteers made an enormous difference at the NEEC’s Brookdale Park Overlook Native Plant Garden by removing invasive stiltgrass while also learning firsthand about the connection of native plants and healthy habitats to biodiversity.

The students brought energy, care, and commitment to work that strengthens both the environment and the community.

For more volunteer opportunities, please visit our website: www.neearth.org/volunteer-opportunities/

09/13/2026

Celebrate 10 Years of Community Service with NEEC

Join us for the Northeast Earth Coalition’s annual gala as we celebrate our 10 years of community service, connection, and social impact. This milestone evening honors everything we have built together and supports NEEC’s continued commitment to environmental education and restoration, community gardens, and providing food for those in need.

Event Highlights
• Delicious authentic Mexican buffet dinner by Mezoco
• Live music by the Jonathan Luks Trio & Los Angeles Mariachi
• B**r, w**e, soft drinks, and dessert
• Silent auction

Sample Silent Auction Items
• Caribbean winter escapes: Three nights in Puerto Rico in a solar-powered home with a tropical garden near the beach, OR three nights in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in a luxury apartment with access to a pool and sauna. Accommodations for up to three people in each location.
• Garden consultations: By Native Daughter Gardens, specialists in ecological landscaping
• Gift certificates to local businesses: TERRA Modern Cuisine and Playa Taqueria restaurants. Montclair Film Festival membership, MUD Pottery Studio workshop
• One-of-a-kind artistry: Professional wildlife photography, paintings, and crafts

Tickets and Payment
Purchase your tickets today at NEECfiesta2026.eventbrite.com.
If you prefer to pay by check. mail your payment ($100 for a single ticket, $150 for two) made out to Northeast Earth Coalition to:
Northeast Earth Coalition
P.O. Box 550
Montclair, NJ 07042

09/10/2026

The importance of a micro meadow in a suburban neighborhood

This “micro meadow” was installed by David Wasmuth and Jose German Gomez, members of the Northeast Earth Coalition, in collaboration with First Congregational Church of Montclair, NJ and the Sunday School Children.

Replacing a traditional turf-grass lawn with a micro meadow in a suburban neighborhood transforms a high-maintenance, sterile patch of green into a vibrant ecological anchor. While a standard lawn functions as an environmental dead zone requiring constant watering, chemical fertilizers, and gas-powered mowing, even a small pocket meadow introduces powerful localized benefits.

Biodiversity and Pollinator Support

Lifeline for Insects:

Native flowering plants and grasses provide critical foraging grounds and nesting habitats for declining populations of bees, butterflies, and beneficial predatory insects.

Food Web Foundation:

Micro meadows attract insects, which in turn draw native birds, amphibians, and small mammals, restoring a miniature food web that suburban development typically displaces.

Resource Conservation and Climate Resilience
Deep Root Systems:

Unlike shallow turf grass, native meadow plants grow roots several feet deep. This creates channels that allow rainwater to infiltrate the soil rather than running off into storm drains, reducing localized flooding.

Drought Tolerance:

Once established, micro meadows require virtually no supplemental irrigation, surviving dry summer months on natural rainfall alone.

Carbon Sequestration:

The dense root networks and perennial plant matter act as efficient carbon sinks, drawing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and storing it safely in the soil.

Maintenance and Community Health

Reduced Chemical Load:
Meadows thrive without synthetic fertilizers, w**d killers, or pesticides, keeping toxic runoff out of local watersheds.

Lower Emissions and Noise:

Eliminating weekly lawn mowing cuts down on neighborhood air and noise pollution generated by gas-powered landscaping equipment.

Visual and Mental Well-being:

Diverse textures, changing seasonal blooms, and natural movement provide a visually striking landscape that lowers stress and fosters a direct, daily connection to nature for residents.

Are you planning to convert a section of your own yard into a micro meadow, or are you looking for tips on how to pitch the idea to an HOA or local municipality?

For additional information, please email us at: [email protected] or visit our website at: https://www.neearth.org

First Congregational Church of Montclair

09/09/2026

Leaving fallen leaves in your yard builds healthy soil, provides vital winter shelter for pollinators, and reduces yard waste.

Soil Health and NutritionNatural fertilizer:

Decomposing leaves release essential nutrients back into the dirt, acting as free organic matter.Carbon storage: Leaf breakdown adds organic carbon to the soil, which improves structure and water retention during storms.Moisture control: A layer of leaves blocks w**ds and insulates plant roots against harsh winter cold.

Wildlife and BiodiversityOverwintering habitat:

Butterflies, moths, fireflies, and bees use leaf litter to hide and survive the cold months.Food source: Insects in the leaves feed local birds and small mammals in the spring.

Eco-Friendly ManagementSmart placement:

Rake heavy leaves into garden beds or under trees instead of leaving thick piles on your grass, which can smother the lawn.

Mulching mower:

Run a mulching mower over thin layers of lawn leaves to chop them up and feed the turf.Local guidance: For regional practices, check out the Rutgers NJAES guide on managing yard leaves.

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TopFans

09/09/2026

The NEEC protect the environment and wildlife, promote local food production, and sustainable communities but most importantly, we build community!

Thank you Northeast Earth Coalition for this beautiful bounty harvested from the local community gardens. Nourishing our seniors at The Inn and our community!