The Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) works to restore, protect and enhance the natural resources of the Barnegat Bay estuary in southern New Jersey. On June 7, the program sponsored the 12th Annual Barnegat Bay Festival, the largest environmental festival in the state. This year’s theme was “Your Passport to a Greener Community,” and fairgoers were encouraged to both celebrate and protect the environment through a variety of activities that included fish printing, seedling planting, seining demonstrations and canoe eco tours.

Project Porchlight joined the festival to explain the energy savings offered by compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. More than 500 energy-efficient CFL bulbs were handed out, part of Project Porchlight New Jersey’s campaign to distribute one million free energy-efficient light bulbs to residents across the state. Project Porchlight is an initiative of One Change, and the campaign is made possible thanks to funding by the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP).

“This was the biggest and best festival we’ve had so far, and it was wonderful having Project Porchlight participate,” says Betsy Hyle, special events coordinator for the BBNEP. “Having Project Porchlight with us enhanced the festival because it introduced yet one more group that is making a difference. The more we can get the word out, the better.”

Ron Jones (pictured here, 2nd from the left), Mayor of Beachwood, New Jersey, attended the festival and was delighted to see Project Porchlight in action. “I think Project Porchlight is a novel idea that will save energy costs for homeowners, actually reduce the cost of constructing new power facilities, and bring residents together in a common cause,” says Mayor Jones. “Every time one person puts in a new light bulb, that light bulb may end up saving the planet.”

When it comes to protecting our environment, simple actions matter. Even something as simple as changing a light bulb is important. “Everybody needs to understand that one little step that they can do, like changing a light bulb, can make a difference in saving our earth,” says Betsy.

“People often don’t see themselves as advocates for the environment because they think that advocacy requires a lot of time or effort on their part. And I think what festivals like ours do, as well as organizations like Project Porchlight, is they help people realize that to be an advocate can be as simple as putting in a new light bulb or turning lights off when you leave the room--or refusing that plastic bag at the grocery store,” Betsy continues. “These festivals and Project Porchlight help people understand that advocacy begins with each person at home.”