Meadow Lakes Achieves River-Friendly Business Certification
The Robert A. Winters Arboretum at Meadow Lakes has achieved a River-Friendly Business certification which recognizes organizations taking a leading role in environmental stewardship and doing their part to protect clean water.
In partnership with the Watershed Institute, New Jersey Water Supply Authority and the Raritan Headwaters Association, the River-Friendly Program offers tools and guidelines to improve local environmental health, reduce pollution, conserve water, restore habitat for wildlife and educate the public about becoming better environmental stewards.
Named for one of Meadow Lakes’ original founders, the stunning 100-acre Winters arboretum cultivated since the mid-eighteenth century boasts a classical style, mature with lush trees, shrubs and understory plantings. It is cared for by Arboretum Director Joseph Greipp, an International Society of Arboriculture board certified master arborist and New Jersey licensed tree expert.
“The bodies of water at Meadow Lakes are part of the larger Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed. Our constant self-motivated efforts to improve the quality of water on Meadow Lakes’ property and for our downstream neighbors were noted by the River-Friendly Program,” said Greipp. “We’ve increased the buffer zone along riparian edges, keeping fertilizers away from the water and secured grants and volunteers to procure and install hardy, herbaceous plants along the buffers to help process excess nutrients and stabilize the soil along the banks. Swans are maintained on each of the three largest bodies of water to discourage Canada geese from roosting, and we’ve created habitats for wildlife.”
Mr. Greipp notes that the ever-changing landscape offers residents, visitors and staff a constant connection with the powers of nature. The arboretum is an important feature of a broader wellness and healthy aging initiative at Springpoint called LivWell which explores health and wellness with a deeper understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection. The arboretum is an endless source of inspiration for residents who enjoy painting, photography, creative writing, birdwatching, gardening, conversing and taking nature walks.
