Hello!
My name is Erin Bennett, and I am thrilled to be joining the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed as the Policy Intern. Growing up outside of Wilmington, DE I always had an appreciation for the water, whether I was along the bank of the Brandywine River or down south at Rehoboth Beach. My appreciation of water and wildlife grew as I learned more about environmental issues in Delaware and led to my pursuit of a career in water resources.
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day - a day that serves to dispel the whitewashed stories of our country and properly honor and celebrate the culture and histories of this land’s indigenous people.
And it doesn’t stop there – today serves as an opportunity to invigorate or reinvigorate our commitment to consistently prioritize the inclusion of indigenous needs and voices in our work. As organizations and people serving and residing in the Delaware River Watershed, we are deeply connected to the value of this land and waters. Which is why it is critical to ensure this connection is whole, that it includes the original people of this land, an understanding of the history, and incorporates ongoing, authentic commitments to action.
The $10 million supplemental appropriation for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes is the most significant investment in the Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake areas in recent history. The bill recognizes that in these ecologically significant regions, lakes play a critical role to residents throughout the State by providing the supply of drinking water, watershed protection, recreational and conservation purposes.
Trenton, NJ (September 20, 2021) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced today 41 grantees totaling nearly $11.5 million in awards. Grantees have committed more than $13.5 million in match, for a total conservation impact of $25 million that will restore and protect our land and water resources.
Hello CDRW community!
My name is Ellen Underwood, and I am thrilled to be joining the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed as the new Engagement Coordinator! As a native of the Greater Lehigh Valley, I grew up in an area with a rich agricultural tradition and have seen firsthand the rapid development of this region resulting in loss of farmland and habitat as well as extreme flooding issues and water quality degradation. This exposure, combined with an internship at a 1-acre farm in my youth, propelled me on a path that has transformed into a 10-year career in sustainable food systems and environmental advocacy.
Wilmington, DE (August 20, 2021) – U.S. Senator Tom Carper and Delaware Governor John Carney joined conservation partners in Wilmington today to celebrate the Christiana and Brandywine River restoration and resiliency project funded by the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund. Another important step in the on-going work to improve Wilmington’s riverfront area with clean healthy rivers and attractive places for people and wildlife.
(TRENTON) - In a 69-30 vote, the U.S. Senate has passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Various ecosystem restoration programs are listed in the bill, including $26 million of supplemental funding for the Delaware River Basin to be administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service over five years.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides $350 billion dollars in emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments which can be utilized to invest in water infrastructure. Municipal leaders are beginning to discuss the use of American Rescue Plan funds. This is an opportunity for Coalition member organizations to urge state and local governments to prioritize investing in water infrastructure projects to meet the demands for safe, accessible water and sewer services in the face of the climate crisis.
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