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Watershed Ambassadors Embark on Local Environmental Education
Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Shinn today announced the start of the second year of the New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors AmeriCorps program to raise awareness about watershed issues across the state.
"AmeriCorps members act as liaisons to DEP's Division of Watershed Management and as ambassado rs of their assigned watershed management areas. This program strives to make a difference in the community and the environment through river and watershed assessments and through education efforts demonstrating why watershed protection is should be important to every citizen in New Jersey," said Shinn.
Through the Watershed Ambassadors Program, AmeriCorps members have been placed with host agencies in each of the state's 20 watershed management areas. The members will assist the Division of Watershed Management in monitoring rivers and watersheds as part of River Assessment Teams (RATS) and Biological Assessment Teams (BATS). The members will also train community volunteers to assist in these monitoring programs. Using audio-visual presentations, the members will provide information to schools and community organizations.
The Watershed Ambassadors Program is one part of DEP's many efforts to restore, enhance and protect the state's waterways. The ambassadors work with all sectors to improve the quality of waterways which are used for drinking water as well as agricultural, industrial and recreational purposes. The program explores the relationships between people and the environment, fosters community-based environmental activities and empowers residents to make responsible decisions regarding their watershed.
AmeriCorps is a national service initiative started in 1993 with 10,000 citizens serving yearly. The program is charged with making a difference on a community level, focusing on four issues – education, public safety, human needs and the environment. AmeriCorps members complete 1,700 hours of service in return for a living stipend and an education award.
For more information about the Watershed Ambassadors Program, contact Fran Varacalli, program manager in DEP's Division of Watershed Management, at 609-633-0533 or fvaracal@dep.state.nj.us
Use the listing below to contact members directly for a presentation or to learn how to volunteer with the RATS and BATS water monitoring program.
AMERICORPS HOST AGENCIES & MEMBERS
>> Regions: Northwest | Northeast | Raritan | Atlantic | Lower Delaware
NORTHWEST REGION
Area 1 North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development
1322 Route 31 North Box 3
Annandale, NJ 08801 |
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Member: Michelle Ruggiero
e-mail: mruggiero@upperdelaware.org
Phone: 908-735-0733 |
Area 11 Regional Planning Partnership
870 Mapleton Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540 |
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Member: Pat Sachs
e-mail: Pat_sachs@yahoo.com
Phone: 609-452-1717 |
NORTHEAST REGION
Area 3 Skylands Clean, INC.
PO Box 85 / 551 Ringwood Ave.
Ringwood, NJ 07456 |
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Member: Jen Bernstock
e-mail: bernsjen@yahoo.com
Phone: 973-616-1006 |
Area 4 NJDEP, Compliance & Enforcement Northern Office
1259 Rt. 46 East Bldg. #2
Parsippany, NJ 07054-4191 |
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Member: Jon Carlson
e-mail: jcarlson@dep.state.nj.us
Phone: 973-299-7592 |
Area 5 Hackensack River Keeper
1000 River Rd. T090C
Teaneck, NJ 07666 |
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Member: Marianne Butler
e-mail: mkb223@mail.com
Phone: 201-692-8440 |
Area 6 Great Swamp Watershed Association
PO Box 300
New Vernon, NJ 07976 |
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Member: Michelle Burke
e-mail: mburke@greatswamp.org
Phone: 973-966-1900 |
RARITAN REGION
Area 7 Union County Engineering Dept.
2325 South Avenue
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 |
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Member: Michael Aita
e-mail: maita@unioncountynj.org
Phone: 908-789-3673 |
Area 8 Upper Raritan Watershed Assoc.
PO Box 273
Gladstone, NJ 07934 |
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Member: Annie Pizza
e-mail: Beatlewho2@aol.com
Phone:908-234-1852 |
Area 9 Middlesex County Planning Department
40 Livingston Ave.
New Brunswick, NJ 08903 |
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Member: Beth Sawickie
Phone: 732-745-3016 |
Area 10 Stony Brook – Millstone Watershed Association
31 Titus Mill Rd.
Pennington, NJ 08534 |
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Member: Brian Rappaport
e-mail: brappaport@thewatershed.org
Phone: 609-737-3735 |
ATLANTIC REGION
Area 12 Monmouth County Planning Board
Hall of Records Annex – One East Main St.
Freehold, NJ 07728 |
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Member: Jim Burkitt
Phone: 732-431-7460 |
Area 13 American Littoral Society
PO Box 1306
Tuckerton, NJ 08087 |
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Member: Steve Janasie
e-mail: jahnasie@hotmail.com
Phone: 609-294-3111 |
Area 15 Atlantic County Municipal Utilities Authority
6700 Delilah Rd.
Pleasantville, NJ 08232 |
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Member: Amy Elder
e-mail: aelder@acua.com
Phone: 609-646-5500 |
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Area 16 Wetlands Institute of Stone Harbor
1075 Stone Harbor Rd.
Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
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Member: Bjorn Christiano
Phone: 609-368-1211 |
LOWER DELAWARE REGION
Area 18 NJDEP Compliance and Enforcement Southern Office
One Port Center 2 Riverside Dr.
Camden, NJ 08102 |
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Member: Christopher Trainor
e-mail: ctrainor@dep.state.nj.us
Phone: 856-614-3655 |
Area 19 Rancocas Conservancy
Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
6 Sawmill Rd.
Moorestown, NJ 08057 |
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Member: Andy Duddleston
e-mail: ajduddleston@yahoo.com
Phone: 856-983-5665 |
Area 20 Mercer County Soil Conservation Service
508 Hughes Dr.
Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 |
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Member: Pat Weiss
e-mail: Patrickw1mercer@aol.com
Phone: 609-586-9603 |
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