Pollution and Its Impacts
Road Salt Contamination
Deborah Kratzer: Environmental Specialist, NJDEP
Erin Stretz: Assistant Director of Science, the Watershed Institute
Facilitated by Mara Tippett: Executive Director, Raritan Headwaters Association
Each winter, towns throughout New Jersey spread tons of salt to keep its roadways safe and passable during snow and ice storms. When this salt makes its way into waterways, it can have drastic impacts on aquatic life and water quality for residents and business owners that depend on it.
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Harmful Algal Blooms
Heather Ronco: Lake Owassa Community Association
Heather Desko: Principal Watershed Protection Specialist, New Jersey Water Supply Authority
Facilitated by Kristine Rogers: Wallkill River Management Group
This workshop will explore the pressing issue of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in New Jersey in the contexts of water supply and small lake communities, from the perspectives of a professional watershed protection specialist and a citizen scientist. Topics will include an overview of HABs, water monitoring collaborations with professionals and volunteers, watershed and in-waterbody management strategies, and communications with stakeholders.
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PFAS and Microplastics
Sandra Lavigne: Director of Water Quality, Great Swamp Watershed Association
Harvey Klein: Laboratory Director, Garden State Labs
Facilitated by Ian Brastow: Lopatcong Creek Initiative Program Manager and Policy Associate, New Jersey Highlands Coalition
Per- and Polyflouroalkul Substances (PFAS) contamination of water sources is an emerging issue of global concern. Learn the latest on PFAS contamination in New Jersey's watersheds, their affects on human health, and how New Jersey is testing and addressing it.
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Lands and Forest
Invasive Species and Deer Impacts
Dr. Emile Devito: Manager of Science & Stewardship, New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Facilitated by Laurie Cleveland: Executive Director, Sourlands Conservancy
Deer and invasive species have huge impacts to forest biodiversity in New Jersey, causing millions of dollars in damage each year. In this workshop, presenters will discuss new and emerging invasive species, management options, and the future of New Jersey's natural landscape.
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Climate Change and Adaptation in Northwest New Jersey Watersheds
Dr. Alan Hunt: Community Planner, National Park Service
Bill Rawlyk: Middle Atlantic Field Coordinator, Open Space Institute
Gabriel Levitan: Outdoor Recreation Planner, National Park Service
Facilitated by Dylan Medici: Manager of Outreach and Education, New Jersey Highlands Coalition
Climate change is here and altering how we manage our landscapes and waters. You
will learn how engagement tools and resources on climate change, such as climate change
vulnerability reports and scenario planning, can help you workshop climate adaptation in your own
organization and how large-scale conservation efforts are responding to climate change.
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Forest Management for Clean Water
Ben Spinelli: Executive Director, New Jersey Highlands Water and Planning Council
Charlie Laing: Forestry Program Manager, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Facilitated by Dylan Medici: Manager of Outreach and Education, New Jersey Highlands Coalition
Abundant, high-quality water depends on intact, mature forests such as those in the Highlands and Ridge and Valley regions of northern New Jersey. Over 70% of New Jersey residents get some or all of their water from the Highlands. Learn how lands are managed for water quality in both the New Jersey Highlands and New York Catskills.
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Working Together
Forming a Coalition
Tom Bodolsky: Citizens for Sustainable Development
Barbara Gomes: Vice President, Sparta Responsible Development
Facilitated by Julia Somers: Executive Director, New Jersey Highlands Coalition
Strong environmental protections are only made possible through political will and working together. Join this workshop to learn how grassroots groups have made a difference in New Jersey by preserving natural resources in the face of intense development pressure.
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Building Welcoming Spaces: Fostering Inclusion & Access
Kerry Kirk Pflugh: Executive Director, New Jersey School of Conservation
Tenisha Malcolm-Wint: Founder & COEO, Outdoors On Purpose
This session will explore the critical role of inclusion in creating accessible and welcoming outdoor environments for all. Using the New Jersey School of Conservation’s strategies as a model, we will dive into actionable practices for fostering a sense of belonging in nature spaces, especially for historically marginalized communities. Participants will learn about inclusive programming, community-centered design, and culturally responsive engagement that ensures everyone—regardless of race, ability, or background—can explore, learn, and connect with the natural world.
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Watershed Management Planning in New Jersey
Tom Dallessio: Executive Director, Musconetcong Watershed Association
Facilitated by Ben Yaskulka: Policy and Advocacy Manager, Musconetcong Watershed Association
Get the latest news on how New Jersey is adapting its watersheds to meet the challenges of extreme weather fueled by climate change, while preserving the character and economies that make its watersheds unique. In this workshop, Tom Dallessio will discuss the Vision Plan for the Musconetcong River Watershed in Warren County.
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Unique Projects in Protection and Restoration
Stream Restoration at Sparta Glen and Yards Creek Preserve
Sandy Urgo: Vice President of Land Presevtation, TLC-NJ
Dean Blumetti: Deputy Mayor, Sparta Township
Facilitated by Kristine Rogers: Wallkill River Management Group
Come to this workshop to learn about two unique conservation projects in northwestern New Jersey. The Sparta Glen Brook restoration project, spearheaded by North Jersey Trout Unlimited in partnership with the Wallkill River Watershed Management Group, aimed to restore habitat for native brook trout populations while also re-establishing a forested riparian buffer along the Glen Brook. The Land Conservancy of New Jersey’s Yards Creek Preserve project consisted of a series of land acquisitions and stewardship activities to establish a publicly accessible nature preserve adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap that would protect drinking water resources and curb encroaching development. In this session, you will learn about efforts to engage numerous partner organizations and combine and leverage resources to successfully achieve the land protection and restoration goals for each project.
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Dam Removals
Carl Alderson: Restoration Ecologist and Marine Research Specialist, NOAA
Beth Styler-Barry: Director of Freshwater Programs, The Nature Conservancy
Facilitated by Mara Tippett: Executive Director, Raritan Headwaters Association
Through the 18th to mid-20th centuries, hundreds of dams were built on New Jersey's abundant rivers to harness the power of water for industry and agriculture. As New Jersey's understanding of the negative impacts of these dams on our rivers has changed, removing these historic, but often obsolete structures has created opportunities to reconnect rivers for migratory and resident fish, improve public safety and in some cases reduce flooding. Funding mechanisms for dam removal projects will also be discussed.
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Use of Citizen Science Data for Regulatory Protection of Water Resources
Bill Kibler: Director of Policy, Raritan Headwaters Association
Chris Miller: Executive Director, Eastern Environmental Law Center
Dr. Kristi MacDonald: Director of Science, Raritan Headwaters Association
Facilitated by Elliott Ruga: Policy and Communications Director, New Jersey Highlands Coalition
In 2022 the New Jersey Appellate Court upheld NJDEP’s use of volunteer-collected water quality data collected on behalf of Raritan Headwaters Association to upgrade hundreds of miles of streams to Category 1 (C-1) status. Learn how partners defended the use of data collected by citizen scientists and how this model may be applied to other efforts, including certification of vernal pools throughout the state.
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