To celebrate Black History Month this February, take some time to learn about historical figures and groups in the environmental movement that are too often overlooked. George Washington Carver: In 1894, Carver became the first African American to earn a Bachelors of Science Degree, after attending the Iowa State Agricultural School. He went on to earn his Masters of Agriculture and began working at the Tuskegee Institute to establish an agricultural school. His early academic concentration was on fungal infections of soybean plants, and at Tuskegee he continued his work with plant diseases while also researching agricultural practices to help poor southern farmers.
AMC Launches Protect the View Campaign
In partnership with trail organizations and agencies, Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) held an online event in mid-December to launch the Protect the View campaign at ProtecttheView.com. Protect the View is a science-based campaign and call to action resulting from rigorous conservation and land development analyses. The launch event covered a review of the underlying visual assessment research, a virtual tour of the Protect the View website including the ten selected trails focus areas and the corresponding interactive maps, photos and videos, a discussion of the need for a partner-based approach to trail view and land protection advocacy, and an introduction to the social media toolkit.
Introducing the new Communications Intern of CDRW, Revathi V. Machan
I’m excited to announce that as of January 2021, I’ve joined the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed as Communications Intern! I currently study at Rutgers University - New Brunswick as a sophomore, double majoring in Environmental Policy and Environmental Planning & Design. I’m excited to meet with and work with you all, but let me tell you a little bit about myself and how I got here first.
Biden, Harris Inauguration Day: What’s Expected for Conservation Policy
We were outraged that the promise of a fresh new year was tainted so quickly by the violent and shameful attacks in Washington. And yes, the attack was fueled by white supremacy and racism and incited by President Trump. Following the attack the Coalition’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Workgroup met and provided space for members to express their feelings from the day prior. This space to acknowledge the pain and frustration from the attack was vital for validating the emotions that workgroup members were holding with them during the work day.
The Clean Water for Delaware Act: Back in 2021!
In January 2020, clean water advocates from across the state of Delaware were crowded into a small room, huddled around a podium where Governor Carney was preparing to make the announcement we had all been waiting years to hear. State Senate and House leadership were in attendance, as well as reporters, staffers, public officials, and a few of our dedicated Water Warriors and Clean Water Alliance members. You could feel the excited buzz of anticipation throughout the room. When Governor Carney declared his commitment to dedicating $50 million in his budget for clean water initiatives and his support for House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst’s enabling legislation, the Clean Water for Delaware Act, the crowd responded with gratitude and earnest applause.
Clean Water Advocacy Doesn’t Stop for a Pandemic: NJ Statehouse Education Week Goes Virtual
With an unpredictable and challenging year at a close, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed has continued to adapt in order to advance critical protections for the watershed. During a traditional Statehouse Education Day, organizations across New Jersey would typically make their way to Trenton to meet face-to-face with state senators and assembly members. However, due to Covid-19, Coalition member organizations connected with legislators for a highly successful and first-ever virtual New Jersey Statehouse Education Week.
Federal 2021 Budget Includes $10 Million for Delaware River Conservation
The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program (DRBRP) received $10 million in funding as part of the fiscal year 2021 Interior Appropriations bill approved by Congress and signed by the President, a modest increase from $9.7 million last year. The DRBRP will provide technical assistance and grant funds in 2021 to address the Delaware River Basin’s environmental challenges in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Early next year, government entities, non-profit organizations, and schools within the basin can apply for funds to implement on-the-ground restoration and conservation projects.
Reflecting on Successful Advocacy: NJ’s Comprehensive Plastics Law
It’s official. New Jersey is now home to the strongest, most comprehensive single-use plastics bill in the nation. When May 2022 rolls around, stores and food service businesses are prohibited from providing single-use plastic bags to customers. Paper bags will be prohibited in stores over 2,500 square feet. Disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam will also be banned. Additionally, the law also restricts food-service businesses from providing plastic straws, unless requested by a customer, beginning in November 2021.