The Sourland Conservancy announced the launch of its new Sourland Stewards recognition program, Certified Sourland Habitat, and the first recipient of the new certification, Ina Sivriver of Hillsborough, New Jersey.
The Certified Sourland Habitat recognition program was created by Hopewell Valley Girl Scout Tabitha Webster as her Girl Scout Gold Award project. The program invites residents to take meaningful action to create a healthy habitat in their backyards and businesses to preserve and protect the unique Sourland Region ecosystem.
“I wanted to empower people to realize that even small actions, like planting native species or reducing pesticide use, are super important for the environment. I’m so excited to complete my Gold Award with a project that helps protect the Sourlands and inspires others to get involved,” said Webster.
The Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, recognizing exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and lasting community impact. Fewer than 6% of Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award, which often leads to college scholarships, advanced career opportunities, and recognition from institutions across the country. Projects must address a real issue, show measurable impact, and create lasting change.
“Six years ago, our yard was all grass and nonnative plants,” said Ms. Sivriver. “As I learned about the benefits of landscaping with native plants, we began to remove the burning bush and other invasives and replace them with native shrubs like blueberry that have gorgeous fall color and also produce flowers and berries to provide pollinators, birds, and us. Every spring and fall, we add a few more plants. Now, I collect seeds and start plants from cuttings and share them with my neighbors.”
Webster just graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School and plans to attend Skidmore College in the fall. During her time at the high school, she was a leader of her school’s environmental club and co-wrote a monthly newsletter about sustainable fashion.
She has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten, this Gold Award being her final hoorah. Tabitha started the project in April 2024 when she met with Laurie Cleveland, Sourland Conservancy’s executive director, for the first time. Since then, she has put in over 80 hours of work into the program.
To help make the program a success, Webster enlisted the help of local experts for their advice and feedback. That panel included Juanita Hummel, Ina Sivriver, Kirsi Bhasin, Andrew Plunkett, Rosalind Doremus, Peter Betz, and her project advisor, Laurie Cleveland.
Webster said she hopes that people from all across the region will take part in the program by making simple, sustainable changes at home or in their communities. Web: sourland.org.
