The environmental religious organization GreenFaith, honored people who have combined their spiritual faith with environmental action at an awards ceremony in Highland Park over the weekend.

Reverend Fletcher Harper, the executive director of Green Faith, explained that the group was founded in 1992 with  a "powerful mission"  to help religious leaders from diverse spiritual backgrounds  improve the environment.

The group offers education and training to religious groups to help them do their own education and advocacy work and institute greener practices at their places of worship.


One of the people recognized in the awards ceremony was the Dr. Hisham Moharram, of the Good Tree Farm of New Egypt, an organic  farm started by Muslims investors from Central Jersey that raises fruits, vegetables, and pasture-fed livestock for people of every faith.

Dr. Moharram said that the issue of having safe, organic food is an issue that affects everyone regardless of their religion or culture.


Dr. Nicky Sheats  and Valorie Caffee, of the New Jersey Environmental justice Alliance, were also recognized for their work advocating for poor neighborhoods.

Sheats said low-income neighborhoods  are often disproportionately affected by pollution and his organization serves as an advocate for them. The group has monitored air quality in Camden, Trenton and Newark and has called for stronger air pollution standards.

The third group recognized was St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes and the GreenFaith Team who have been very active in the environment by conducting an environmental audit and hosting GreenFaith training sessions for other churches. Its youth group conducted a waste audit and hundreds of parishioners wrote postcards to support climate change legislation.

The fourth annual awards ceremony featured an organic, vegetarian dinner.

Ebru News