HOWELL – A nonprofit environmental advocacy group would like to leave only its footprints behind in aiding the township’s efforts to keep itself clean.
During a recent Township Council meeting, officials heard a presentation by the president of Leave Only Your Footprints who described the group as less of an organization and more of a grassroots movement.
According to its Facebook page, Leave Only Your Footprints’ goal is to develop materials and programs that influence and promote change in the behavior of people through a simple program message: “Leave Only Your Footprints” in keeping beaches, parks, and public places clean.
Joan Osborne, chairwoman of the Township’s Environmental Commission introduced Bob Duerr who serves as leader of the group. “I’ve noticed along our public spaces in our public parks that people aren’t using the trash receptacles available.”
“There are bottles and trash on the streets and this program is designed to address this problem,” Osborne said.
Duerr said, “The messaging program is essentially a subliminal messaging which is a common tactic in marketing.
“We took the idea of five simple words with an iconic footprint and the message of leave just your footprint. We’ve put it in public places, any place where you have a litter problem,” Duerr added.
“Our idea is to build a groundswell behind this message and give it to towns for free,” Duerr said. He added that metal signs, decals, bumper stickers and stencils that can be used multiple times were provided to participating communities.
“We want locals and tourists to get the idea that you have to take care of your trash. We’re supposed to be the smart species. We really launched this thing big in Manasquan. They originally started with 15 decals (placed on areas around the community) and now we got them up to 75.
“We are looking for grants so that we can continue to give all these materials away for free. Belmar is very interested in doing this next. Point Pleasant Beach is going to do the entire the borough. Seaside Heights has expressed an interest; so has Sea Girt and so has Spring Lake. It is catching on very quickly now. This is not visual pollution; the idea is to be presented kindly and not abrasive,” Duerr said.
“You want to present it subliminally here and there,” Duerr told the mayor and council.
Duerr suggested the township pool its resources of its Green Team and environmental based groups including youth groups in the school system and local scout groups to make the project a huge public relations campaign. He added this would also be a great way to involve the community in the effort and to make it a teaching opportunity for youth.
“This is a trademarked logo by the way. This is something we worked on,” Duerr said explaining that the group trademarked it in order to protect their ability to continue to give the items away for free.
Duerr gave the example of another nonprofit group which failed to copyright their slogan and learned to their dismay that someone had trademarked it and prevented them from using the materials that the group had purchased.
“Certainly, the core of this is pure. I, myself and I’m sure the council love this idea. We are always talking about litter and what we can do to keep the town clean. I applaud your efforts,” Mayor Theresa Berger said.
“You don’t want verbal pollution but you do want to make an impact,” Duerr said.
Councilman John Bonevich asked Duerr if the emblem could be printed on existing or future made township signs.
Duerr said “yes” adding that there was also an ability to adhere the signs on existing signs.
[adrotate banner="278"]Causes Recognized
Early in the meeting Berger read a proclamation noting September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
This is an annual international awareness month to raise support, funding and awareness of childhood cancers and the impact for sufferers and families of sufferers of childhood cancer. The campaign is symbolized by a gold ribbon, worn to commemorate the event.
Bonevich read a proclamation for Fire Prevention Week which takes place from Oct. 6 through Oct. 12. Representatives of the township’s Bureau of Fire Prevention were present at the meeting to accept the proclamation.
National Fire Prevention Week is observed in the United States and Canada, during the week in which October 9 falls. In the United States, the first Presidential proclamation of Fire Prevention Week was made in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge. The National Fire Protection Association continues to be the international sponsor of the week.
