The Coalition is excited to highlight many of our ongoing priorities with a new series of guest blogs. We hope this will serve as an educational resource that will encourage our members, prospective members, and the public at-large to advocate for Delaware River Watershed priorities in the coming year. We are kicking-off the series with a guest blog highlighting the amazing work of the Land and Water Conservation Fund through the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Kelly Knutson to Serve as Next Director of Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
The Role of Coalitions in Propelling Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Work Forward
By Mariah Davis (Choose Clean Water) and Ellen Underwood (Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed).
Coalitions, collaboratives, and networks play an integral role in promoting new ideas, building connections, and exploring new avenues for support. As the only national nonprofit whose sole purpose is to connect and strengthen the nationwide network of local water protectors, River Network has used our role to educate ourselves and groups across the network on topics such as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)*. We are not alone in this work; our partners Choose Clean Water (CCW) and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) have created resources, priorities, and welcoming, safe environments in which to discuss these topics.
The DRBC: Making Connections to the Delaware River for 60 Years
By Kate Schmidt, Communications Specialist for the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)
We’re all in this together.
While this phrase certainly has taken on new meaning recently, I wonder if President Kennedy was thinking something similar 60 years ago when he hosted the four Basin state governors and others in the White House for a ceremonial signing of the Delaware River Basin Compact on November 2, 1961. The Compact, which created the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), granted broad basin management authorities to the Commission, including the establishment of water quality standards and regulation of discharges.
House Passes Infrastructure Bill: Includes $26 Million for Delaware River Watershed Restoration Efforts
(TRENTON, NJ) - In a win-win for conservation and bi-partisan collaboration, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, in a 228 by 206 vote.
The bill includes $26 million of supplemental funding for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program (DRBRP) administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over five years - an additional $5.2 million annually. The funding supports on-the-ground restoration projects and new and existing jobs across the 4-state watershed (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware) through the DRBRP.
How Rain Gardens Can Help Save the Environment
By Laci Leblanc
As part of the growing list of ways that humans are trying to save the earth, rainwater is now the target of many climate-conscious people. Polluted stormwater is a topic of many actions and legislation. However, continued development and lax laws have led to toxic dangers to our water sources.
Ducks Unlimited, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed Tour John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
(Philadelphia, PA) October 27, 2021 – Ducks Unlimited was joined by others in the conservation community to tour John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and celebrate the tidal marsh habitat restoration project, funded by the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund. The tour followed on the heels of the successful 9th Annual Del-AWARE River Watershed Forum, hosted by the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. The project is an important step in the ongoing work to reduce flooding in local underserved communities, enhance and expand recreational opportunities for kayaking and fishing and increase public access for environmental education of diverse audiences.
CDRW Hosts the 9th Annual Del-AWARE River Watershed Forum
The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, led by New Jersey Audubon and in partnership with National Wildlife Federation, held its 9th Annual Del-AWARE River Watershed Forum from September 29th-October 1st, 2021. The three-day hybrid event featured 24 virtual sessions, a virtual networking event, an in-person networking event, and field trips across the Watershed. Three hundred attendees from throughout the Delaware River Basin states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware were brought together to learn and connect.