Water infrastructure is essential to the health and well-being of our communities. Wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, in particular, critically impact watershed health, which subsequently affects the physical and mental health of communities that depend on and interact with that watershed. To track progress on improvements to such infrastructure, maintaining robust data and displaying it in a meaningful way is crucial. Jersey WaterCheck, a Jersey Water Works initiative, was created to highlight New Jersey’s water infrastructure needs and promote investment in related priorities. Members of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed may find this new tool useful in their protection of the Delaware River Basin and their advancement of policies that will bring the Coalition’s mission to fruition.
Introducing Our New Policy Intern of CDRW, Kim Pelosi!
Hello CDRW community!
My name is Kimberly Pelosi and I am happy to announce that as of April 2021, I joined the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) as their Policy Intern. Below you can find a little more information about myself and how I landed here.
I have been drawn to the outdoors for as long as I can remember which lead me to Rutgers University New Brunswick, where I studied Environmental Policy and Economics and graduated in 2015.
MWA Meets with Congressman Malinowski on Removal of Largest Dam on Musconetcong River
In late March 2021, the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA), joined by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and property owner International Process Plants (IPP), met with Congressman Malinowski (NJ-07) to discuss a feasibility study and plans to remove the largest dam on the Musconetcong River in Holland Township, Hunterdon County and Pohatcong Township, Warren County.
Focusing on Federal Clean Water Advocacy During Hill Week 2021
Every year the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed heads to Washington D.C. to educate Members of Congress about key policy and funding priorities that support conservation and restoration in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. While COVID-19 restricted travel to the Capitol this year, the Coalition adapted and transformed Hill Day into a virtual Hill Week. During the second week of March 2021, 71 participants from Coalition member organizations, including 12 constituents, took part in the virtual Hill Week. These participants met with 31 out of 32 congressional offices that represent the watershed.
The Delaware River Watershed’s Six National Wildlife Refuges
The Delaware River Watershed is unique in that it is home to six National Wildlife Refuges, each with their own unique character and ecological benefits. These wildlife refuges not only provide vital habitats for migratory and resident wildlife, but also provide an opportunity for all of us to connect to nature.
Snapshots in History: Black Environmentalists
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.