Photos of the event, for use by the press.
Coalition of Nearly 200 Organizations Highlights the Power of Collaboration to Ensure a Thriving Delaware River Watershed
Randolph, NJ (October 28. 2025) — The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) convened over 100 conservation leaders, advocates, and partners from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Maryland for its 13th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum in Randolph, NJ on October 23–24. Together, they explored strategies to protect and strengthen the Delaware River Watershed, a lifeline that provides clean drinking water to 14.2 million people (about 4% of the U.S. population), including more than 3 million in New Jersey.
The two-day Forum opened with plenary remarks from New Jersey State Senator Anthony Bucco, Dr. Tony Iacono, President of County College of Morris, and Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission. A morning panel, “The State of the Watershed During a Shifting Landscape,” brought together Friends of the Upper Delaware River, New Jersey Future, PennFuture, Delaware Nature Society, and Ducks Unlimited for a discussion on changes under the federal administration, shifting foundation funding, and emerging state policy challenges.
The Forum also featured Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7) and NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Kati Angarone during the networking lunch plenary, followed by an interactive session titled “Finding Our Common Ground & Harnessing Our Collective Strength.” Through small-group discussions and activities, attendees identified shared priorities and explored opportunities to strengthen the Coalition’s collective impact. The day concluded with a closing plenary featuring Kim Gaddy, Founder and Director of the South Ward Environmental Alliance, and Grant LaRouche, Senior Director of Regional Collaboration (Mid-Atlantic) for the National Wildlife Federation.
On Friday, participants joined field trips across northwestern New Jersey highlighting local conservation and education initiatives, including a hike along the James Leach Boardwalk Trail to Liffy Island, an eco-cruise on Lake Hopatcong led by the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and a guided walk along the Wild and Scenic Musconetcong River to learn about restoration and community partnership efforts by the Musconetcong Watershed Association.
“Thank you to the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed for inviting me to speak on the importance of safeguarding our environment and promoting healthy ecosystems,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “From my time at the Environmental Protection Agency where I met my wife Rhonda, to the New Jersey State Legislature and now in Congress, I have made it a priority to support policies that preserve clean water, protect open space, and strengthen our infrastructure. We must continue to work together to protect the natural resources we depend on today, so that our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy them in the future in the great Garden State.”
“The Delaware River Basin is part of our identity, and protecting its water quality, habitats, and infrastructure isn’t just about environmental stewardship, it’s about public health and economic resilience for generations to come,” said New Jersey State Senator Anthony Bucco. “By bringing every voice to the table, as the Coalition does through events like the Delaware River Watershed Forum, we continue to build a stronger, more connected watershed that truly serves everyone.”
“It is wonderful to welcome representatives from so many of the 199 organizations that make up the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed to Northwestern New Jersey,” said Marty Kane, Co-Chair of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. “As home of the Musconetcong River and Lake Hopatcong, this is a perfect place to share thoughts and ideas to safeguard the watershed’s future. Protecting and improving the watershed are common goals that unite us all in ensuring clean water and the enjoyment of this magnificent resource by everyone.”
“The County College of Morris is proud to have supported our colleagues from the Delaware Watershed by serving as the host site for their annual meeting”, said Dr. Anthony Iacono, President of the County College of Morris. “Their critically important work has a tremendous impact on millions of lives and communities across five states. In this way, and many others, they share our mission of changing lives and strengthening communities."
"DRBC congratulates the CDRW on its successful Annual Forum, which brings together environmental conservation professionals working on habitat restoration and projects to enhance the Delaware River Basin,” said Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, P.E., Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission. “These efforts align with DRBC’s mission of managing, protecting and improving our Basin’s water resources.”
“Events like the Delaware River Watershed Forum are powerful because they bring partners together at a time when communities are facing multiple challenges that impact our water,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Deputy Commissioner Kati Angarone. “When we gather, we can identify opportunities, optimize efforts and find innovative solutions. Partnership is an essential aspect of building local capacity to manage our watersheds”
The 13th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum highlighted the importance of harnessing collective strengths to navigate a changing environmental landscape. Bringing together more than 100 stakeholders, the Forum emphasized that protecting the Delaware River basin requires collaboration, shared responsibility, and a unified approach. Through discussions, panels, and interactive sessions, participants explored how working together across organizations, communities, and sectors is essential to advancing long-term solutions for a resilient and sustainable watershed.
The Coalition will continue to convene partners and advance shared policy goals in 2026 to ensure a resilient, healthy, and equitable Delaware River Watershed for all communities it serves.
Forum agenda and speaker information available here: cvent.me/ayVwkZ
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The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed was formed in 2012 to protect and restore the land and waters in the Delaware River Basin. We amplify the collective power of nearly 200 member organizations and other stakeholders as we advocate for a healthy and protected watershed with an inclusive, unified voice. The Coalition convenes member and non-member organizations, builds capacity, coordinates communications, and advances policy at the federal and state levels. For more information, please visit www.delriverwatershed.org.
Contact: Meagan Birkenmaier, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, meagan.schaefer@delriverwatershed.org, 609-330-4883