In 1989, Congress directed the Department of the Interior to compare the estimated total number of wetland acres in the 1780s [Revolutionary Wartime] and in the 1980s in areas that now comprise each state. This request included an estimated percentage of wetlands loss to be calculated in each state during this 200-year period. To their dismay, a 53-percent loss of historical wetlands was estimated to have occurred over just two centuries.
CDRW on the Road: Pennsylvania Member Meet-up
Coalition partners in Pennsylvania have much to celebrate after a successful budget season in Harrisburg. As generational funding for clean water begins benefitting the Delaware River Watershed, and waterways statewide, Coalition members took the opportunity to celebrate our shared successes and connect with member organizations in the Commonwealth.
New Jersey Has Plastic Reduction in the Bag!
On May 4, 2022, NJ implemented the strongest law in the country to help reduce plastic pollution. Through our Plastics Free July Survey, NJLCV, CDRW, and ANJEC teamed up to better understand how the law is working for NJ residents and what we can do to make the transition easier. Thank you to all those that took the survey!
Eco-Ableism: Understanding Inaccessibility in the Environmental Movement and Taking Action
Understanding how nature and the environmental movement are not always universally accessible is an important step in breaking down barriers to participation and fostering inclusion. One form of exclusion can be found in eco-ableism, or the centering of able-bodies over individuals with disabilities in ecological and environmental lenses. In other words, assuming there is equal access to advocacy, natural areas, or environmental work–especially in regards to individuals’ physical and mental capacities– is harmful to all individuals within environmental movements.
Fitzpatrick and Blunt Rochester to Lead Bipartisan Delaware River Watershed Caucus
August 22, 2022
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) has announced Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) as the new Co-Chair of the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus. This bipartisan caucus gives voice to funding and conservation needs throughout the watershed.
Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed Celebrates $14 million in Grants to Improve the Health of the Delaware River Watershed
Wilmington, DE (August 25, 2022) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced today 36 Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund awards totaling $14 million, which includes $4.9 million in funds made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grantees have committed $14.2 million in match, for a total conservation impact of $28.2 million that will restore and protect our land and water resources.
Civic Engagement Toolkit: Nonpartisan Resources for 501(c)(3) Organizations
In collaboration with the Choose Clean Water Coalition, we have create a Civic Engagement Toolkit for the 2022 election year. The toolkit includes information on voter registration, voting methods, voting deadlines, social media posts, graphics, email templates, blogs, and a variety of valuable civic engagement resources. The toolkit also includes an upcoming events section (located at the bottom of the toolkit) which highlights important civic engagement dates for your organization to keep in mind. This toolkit is continuously being updated, so make sure to check it often for any additional information being added. You can access the toolkit here.
Climate Statement: Inflation Reduction Act
Trenton, NJ (August 16, 2022) - Historic climate legislation, known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R.5376) was passed in both chambers, and signed into law by President Biden.
“The impacts of climate change are already being seen and felt across the Delaware River Basin, which threaten over 13.3 million people who rely on the waters of the Basin. It is essential that we forge a path forward to reduce the impacts of climate change on our communities and limit the devastation in the future,” said Kelly Knutson, Director of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW). “We applaud Congress in addressing the urgency of a global climate crisis and look forward to supporting the administration on implementation. The Coalition recognizes this step forward and will continue to advocate for additional policies to further protect the region’s natural resources.”