Johnson and Johnson Information Technology Receives River-Friendly Business Certification

Johnson and Johnson Information Technology is now certified as a River-Friendly Business by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA). A ceremony was held at the site on March 26 to celebrate this achievement. There is a tributary to the Raritan River that runs through the Johnson and Johnson campus.

During the past two years, the staff at Information Technology has taken specific actions to improve water quality, conserve water, enhance wildlife habitat, and educate employees as well as visitors. Some of the water resource projects for this campus included:

·        Creating an annual plan to care for grass and vegetation that will minimize the use of chemicals on the landscape.

·         Installing and monitoring eight Eastern Bluebird boxes around the facility to provide nesting habitat;

·         Engaging employees in a rain barrel building workshop, bluebird box building workshops, and other employee education programs;

·         Conducting a Landscape Sustainability Audit, and planning to reduce irrigation water usage by approximately 238,700 gallons per year;

·         Completing a review of the health of the stream as well as the plants and trees around the stream which filter pollutants that are carried in by stormwater.

·         Planting a butterfly garden with native plant species including aster, butterfly milkweed, black eyed susan, and coneflower.

The company’s efforts will help to protect the Raritan River which is a source of drinking water for 1.5 million people. “The River-Friendly Business Program has allowed us to be a model for stewardship in Raritan Borough, as well as the business community in New Jersey. We are pleased to be a part of this program,” said Janice Masvidal, Senior Director, Enterprise Data Center & Building Facilities at J&J.

Johnson and Johnson Information Technology is the eighth business to be certified by NJWSA through the River-Friendly Business Program. The NJWSA implements a suite of River-Friendly Certification Programs for businesses, golf courses, schools (K-12) and residents in the North and South Branch and Lower Raritan watersheds. The certification programs are a cooperative effort between the participants and NJWSA, which provides an opportunity for landowners to become stewards of their local waterways. Participants receive technical information, support, and guidance for implementing environmental projects tailored to their unique location, as well as resources. For more information, visit www.njriverfriendly.org.