We're excited to share the save the date for the 4th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum! Read on for important updates on our efforts as a Coalition, including the latest on the DRBCA, and other announcements and happenings from around the Watershed.
CDRW Updates
Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (DRBCA) Advances in DC –
As you may have heard, the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act was approved by the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works last week. This is a major step towards passage and we were incredibly excited to see the positive movement! In terms of next steps, we’re working closely with Senator Tom Carper's (DE) office to see how we can be helpful and will let everyone know as soon as we have more information. Thank you to everyone who signed onto our letter requesting consideration in committee (41 organizations!) and for sharing information on the DRBCA and the committee’s approval on social media!
4th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum – Mark your calendars! We'll be hosting this year's event at Normandy Farm in Blue Bell, PA on September 19-20 and look forward to seeing everyone! If you're interested in helping with the planning process, please contact Maddy Urbish atmadeline.urbish@njaudubon.org.
State Leads - Earlier this year, we kicked off a new initiative to help coordinate and share information more effectively throughout each state of our Watershed. Please join us on our upcoming calls for PA members (today at 3pm) and NJ members (June 14th at 1pm). Call in # (609) 447-2401. Also check out this social media cheat sheet from our NJ lead, NJ League of Conservation Voters.
CDRW in DC– CDRW staff joined the America's Great Waters Coalition last week to raise awareness on national water issues and advocate for funding and policies supporting the great work our members do around the Watershed. While in DC, we had an opportunity to show support for the DRBCA by attending the Senate Committee meeting during which the DRBCA was approved. We also delivered thank you letters to our Senate delegation for supporting the bill, and strategized with Committee and House staff on next steps for the DRBCA and other water policies.
What's Up in DC – We know that keeping up with national policy decisions isn't easy, so we thought it would be helpful to provide updates on news from DC that could impact the Delaware River Watershed. Check out our new'What's Up in DC' blog post for the latest on the Water Resources Development Act, Energy & Water Development Appropriations, and the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Member News
Welcome to our newest members!
Opportunity for Water Monitors – The Pisces Foundation and Intel Corporation are beginning an exciting initiative to empower citizen protection of their water by identifying how low cost technology can improve water quality monitoring. Help out by taking a short (10-15 min) survey! If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please email madeline.urbish@njaudubon.org.
Depending on the findings, the Pisces Foundation and Intel Corporation will launch a subsequent phase of the project to help expand access to equipment, incentivize the design of new equipment, or facilitate sharing/use of data. This is a great way to connect with a funder interested in water quality projects.
Upcoming Events
National Trails Day (June 4) – National Trails Day is the country's largest celebration of trails with events like hikes, biking and horseback rides, paddling trips, birdwatching, geocaching, gear demonstrations, and stewardship projects. Check out one of the many great events throughout the Watershed including many hosted by CDRW members, including the Lehigh River Water Trail Bike Tour led by Wildlands Conservancy, a Stewardship Day at Petty's Island hosted by NJ Audubon, and Volunteer Day with the Pocono Environmental Education Center. Find additional events in your area.
Delaware Bay Day (June 4) – Celebrate the rich maritime history, vibrant culture and phenomenal natural resources of the Delaware Bay at Delaware Bay Day hosted at the Bayshore Center at Bivalve.
Clean Water Rally (June 7) – Join Delaware's Clean Water Campaign for the 2nd Annual Clean Water Rally at the steps of Delaware’s Capital to celebrate all things water on the Legislative Green. The rally will be followed by a chance to meet with Delaware's State Representative and Senators to discuss the importance of clean water. Click here for more information or to register.
Bike the Circuit Trails with PEC (throughout June) – Pennsylvania Environmental Council is hosting several Saturday bike rides to celebrate the development of the Circuit Trail and all wonderful resources it connects us with, including beer (Brews Cruise, June 18th)! Click here for more information.\
Funding
Andorra Natural Area Stormwater Management & Sediment Reduction Project – Friends of the Wissahickon is accepting proposals for a one-time contract to provide restoration plans, specifications, and construction services for the Friends of the Wissahickon involving work within Wissahickon Valley Park, Philadelphia, PA. For the full RFP, click here. The application deadline is June 29th.
Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance – This program supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation. For more information, clickhere. Applications are due by June 30th to be considered for 2017 technical assistance.
Jobs/Internships
Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is seeking a Mid-Atlantic Recreation Planner to help implement their vision of an interconnected network of trails and conservation land in the Pennsylvania (PA) Highlands region of southeastern PA. The Recreation Planner will coordinate and advance non-motorized trail projects, primarily to close priority trunk trail gaps within the eastern portion of the PA Highlands, based on concept plans and feasibility studies completed to date. For more information, click here.
Watershed Education By Bike Coordinator (Camden, NJ) – The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties is seeking a qualified individual for a part time position that will be responsible for aiding in the smooth operation of the WEB (Watershed Education by Bike) in Camden City and at afterschool sites in Burlington and Camden County. For more information, click here.
Delaware Nature Society is looking for a unpaid part-time Advocacy Research Intern (Hockessin, DE). The main focus of the internship is expanding Delaware Nature Society’s Advocacy legislative agenda through research of national, state and local environmental issues. For more information or to submit a resume with cover letter, please email Brenna Goggin at Brenna@DelNature.org.