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While the LSRPA’s members help to correct the past by removing decades of environmental problems throughout New Jersey’s communities, the LSRPA Foundation is seeding investments in tomorrow. Students are the primary focus of the Licensed Site Remediation Professionals Association Foundation and still the spotlight of its charitable giving. In 2022, the LSRPA Foundation, a charitable corporation created by the LSRPA, expanded to achieve a long-time goal. Collaborating with environmental groups, the Foundation now provides grants to return remediated areas to their communities as beautiful spaces for all to enjoy. Scholarships
Elmeryl Davies Memorial Scholarship
In 2022, nine full-time students – six undergraduates and three doctoral candidates - were each awarded $3,000. Suzanne Macaoay Memorial Scholarship
The new scholarship was named for Suzanne “Suzy” Macaoay, an active LSRPA member, geologist and the late wife of former LSRPA President Rodger Ferguson. GrantsIn Fall 2022, the LSRPA Foundation expanded its scope to support deserving environmental improvement programs – a long-term goal. Working in cooperation with environmental organizations, the Foundation supported four projects that take remediated properties and return them to their communities for public use.
A Demonstration Garden in Glen Ridge The Glen Ridge Environmental Advisory Committee is building a demonstration garden on a half-acre lot that was the site of a former train station. On the site, the Foundation is funding creation of a pollinator area that will run the length of the adjacent parking lot. This area will create a critical link in the emerging Glen Ridge Pollinator Pathway, which is part of a larger regional undertaking to create a corridor of properties - private residences and public spaces - that provide safe habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects. A Rain Garden in Lambertville The Lambertville Environmental Commission is rehabilitating a fenced rain garden on the west side of Cavallo Park, which was remediated due to high concentrations of lead and beryllium in the soils. The project is adding a variety of deep-rooted native plants that will thrive in this environment and allow the soil to absorb and filter stormwater, while providing habitat for wildlife. A Reading Garden in Teaneck The Garden Club of Teaneck, housed on land previously used as a sewage treatment plant, is converting a weed-filled section of land into a “reading garden” with a “Little Public Library” that will house garden and nature reading materials; signs with information about native plant species, pollinators and what people can do locally to support the environment; and interactive storyboards that encourage children to read and learn about the natural world around them.
Mulberry Street in Trenton The Foundation helped to fund the rehabilitation of a parcel on Mulberry Street in Trenton that FEMA purchased for flood mitigation. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation worked with the New Jersey Tree Foundation and the City of Trenton to create a forest buffer along Assunpink Creek with 32 serviceberry, winter king, October glory maple, and river birch trees of various diameters. In addition to mitigating flooding in the neighborhood, these trees will provide a habitat for wildlife and shade and beauty for the residents. Ways to GiveYou can support the Foundation’s mission by providing a one-time or monthly contribution. All contributions are tax-deductible. Cornhole Tournament Battle of the Bands RevenueThe Foundation is entirely supported by direct contributions and income from LSRPA fundraising events.
Where It Is Planned to Go…
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Since the LSPRA Foundation was formed in 2016, more than 50 scholarships have been awarded to encourage students to pursue careers in the environmental field in the State of New Jersey. 
Awarded to undergraduate juniors, seniors or graduate students in an accredited science or engineering program, the scholarship encourages students to pursue careers in the environmental field and to provide students with opportunities to connect with LSRPA members to obtain internships and full-time jobs upon graduation. 
In 2023, the LSRPA Foundation will expand its scholarships to include students at community colleges or other environmental-focused trade or technical programs in New Jersey.
Starting in 2021, LSRPA has held a summer cornhole fundraiser to raise money for the Foundation. At the first tournament, more than 120 LSRPA members and competitors faced the challenge of tossing a bag made of two 6.25-inch squares of fabric filled with two cups of corn feed into a six-inch hole cut into a two-foot by four-foot board. The player who tosses the most bags through the hole is the winner. Simple and yet difficult.
