Citizens United To Protect The Maurice River - Tuesday On The Fly: Green Burials / 3-3-26

Join CU Maurice River for a behind-the-scenes look at Steelmantown Cemetery as part of its 2026 series, The Messy Side of Conservation and Sustainability. Established in 1700 and rooted in Revolutionary War–era history, this remarkable cemetery in Upper Township offers a living example of how green burial practices can restore and protect local ecosystems.

During this program, you will explore how natural burials support soil health, encourage native plant and wildlife species, and reduce contamination while preserving open, permeable land. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore Steelmantown’s three miles of eco trails, which wind through this historic, carefully stewarded landscape nestled within Belleplain State Forest. So, bring your binoculars.
 
Steelmantown’s story is deeply tied to its founder, Ed Bixby, whose unexpected journey into cemetery stewardship began as an act of care for his ancestral burial ground and evolved into a national movement. By minimizing embalming chemicals and avoiding impermeable materials, green burials help safeguard aquifers such as the Kirkwood-Cohansey, which supplies clean water to the Wild and Scenic Maurice River and other southern New Jersey watersheds.

Today, Steelmantown is part of a growing network of natural burial preserves that view interment as both a spiritual practice and a form of environmental stewardship. This event invites participants to consider how thoughtful end-of-life choices can help protect vital resources, sustain healthy landscapes, and support a more resilient future for people and the natural world.

Dress appropriately for an outdoor tour. Sturdy walking shoes are suggested.