To celebrate upcoming Earth Day, join Governor Thomas H. Kean and Jim Wright of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) on Sunday for a free talk on New Jersey’s environment, featuring “The Nature of the Meadowlands,*” the NJMC’s new coffee-table book written by Jim.

Also appearing will be Bob Allen, Director of Conservation of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in New Jersey, who will speak about TNC’s vision for land preservation in the Garden State.

The event will run from 2 to 3:30 p.m.at the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 N. Maple Ave. in  Ridgewood. 

More information follows.

Jim will show some archival images of the bad old days — when the Meadowlands was known for its landfills and pig farms — as well as recent nature photography from the book.

Governor Kean – who wrote the foreword — and Jim will discuss how that amazing environmental rebound came about. Governor Kean will also discuss the state’s role in preserving the Pinelands, protecting wetlands and tackling pollution along the Jersey Shore.

Bob will present The Conservancy’s 25-year plan for preserving open space as New Jersey approaches build-out, and then join the discussion and a short question-and-answer session.

*Copies of “The Nature of the Meadowlands”  will be available for purchase and signing  on the day of the event, with all proceeds going toward the Meadowlands Commission’s environmental education programming.