Fifth Annual Watershed Conference

Dr. Adolf’s research interests include phytoplankton ecology and physiology, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), and real-time continuous water quality monitoring. Dr. Adolf’s research uses combined field and laboratory approaches to address the impacts of environmental variability, including climate change, on ecosystems. He currently teaches within the Monmouth University B.S. program in Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy and highly values the inclusion of undergraduate students in his research.

Dan has served as the Chairperson of the Hammonton Environmental Commission since 2018 and also serves as Chair for the Town’s Lake Water Quality Advisory Committee. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. Mr. Bachalis served a term of office as a Hammonton Town Councilman, during which he developed Hammonton’s Water Conservation Tax Rebate Program, Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Street programs, and more.

Emily is based in Throop, Pa. She supports, organizes, and trains TU members and other sportsmen to advocate on behalf of coldwater fisheries conservation. Emily also assists in monitoring and analyzing state-level policy and legislation. Her professional career has dabbled in all forms for conservation including climate, watershed management, water quality and restoration, permitting, environmental education wildlife, policy, and habitat conservation.

Sean directs California Coastkeeper Alliance (CCKA) initiatives to protect and enhance healthy inland and marine waters throughout the state for the benefit of Californians and California ecosystems. He is a national leader on critical environmental issues, including ocean desalination, California’s trash policy, stormwater permitting and funding, and potable recycled water.

Bree works to help New Jersey localities create stormwater utilities more affordably and effectively to reduce flooding and improve water quality. She is responsible for creating technical resources, designing and organizing training sessions, and facilitating the New Jersey Stormwater Utilities Peer Learning Exchange. Prior to joining New Jersey Future, Bree served as Executive Director and Baykeeper for Massachusetts Baykeeper, and worked as a legal and environmental consultant in both Philadelphia and Boston.

Born and raised in Camden, New Jersey Vedra Chandler graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Government before pursuing a careers in business, music and community development. She has performed in the Broadway musical Hairspray and was the Soul Singer on Kooza by Cirque Du Soleil. At Camden Community Partnership, she uses the arts as a vehicle to tap into the potential of Camden city and its residents, and to revitalize underutilized spaces through the Connect the Lots initiative and A New View Camden.

As part of the Stewardship Section at SADC, Dave helps landowners, partners and SADC staff identify and steward natural resources on farms both during the preservation process and after a farm is preserved.  He helped develop a “side-by-side” easement template which allows SADC to partner with other organizations during the preservation process, leveraging outside funding to further protect sensitive environmental areas while maintaining productive farmland.

Stuart’s work focuses on creating the conditions for a healthy Delaware River watershed. He oversees a $30 million annual grant portfolio, which includes investments in research, data gathering, and advocacy focusing on priority stressors across the watershed; targeted land protection and restoration; and efforts to broaden equitable public access to and engagement with the basin’s rivers and streams.

Natalie is dedicating her career to the intersection of environmental justice and urban ecology.  As a Baltimore City Master Gardener, she spends much of her free time in her backyard as well as public spaces throughout the city.  Before beginning with NWF, Natalie was the Environmental Coordinator at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in East Baltimore where she led environmental programming and was a board member of Charm City Land Trusts.

Samir has shaped his career as an urban planner that focuses on the relationship between our physical environment, health, and community empowerment. Samir graduated with a Masters in Urban Planning from NYU and is helping to turn vacant lots into community assets. He manages data for an inventory of over 12,000 vacant lots while maintaining relationships with the City of Philadelphia and community partners.

Previously, Ms. Danis worked as a staff attorney and clinical instructor at Columbia Law School’s Environmental Law Clinic. She also served as the Senior Staff Attorney for Eastern Environmental Law Center’s Energy Infrastructure program. She has significant experience working with a broad range of national energy advocates and experts to help document skewed natural gas market economics, the economics of deep decarbonization, and ecological, health and safety impacts from fossil fuel infrastructure.

Clay is a Practice Area Lead at Princeton Hydro where he works on a wide variety of water resources projects, with a specific focus on stormwater management. He has graduate degrees from Drexel University and Villanova University where his research focused on stormwater management. He is a Professional Engineer and his interests lie in the use of natural systems to better manage stormwater.

John manages all aspects of the Come Grow With Us! Urban Agriculture Initiatives and all the design/build projects for Groundwork Elizabeth. He is also co-director of The Climate Safe Neighborhood project. He built the first hydroponic greenhouse in Elizabeth, NJ at the Portuguese Instructive Social Club. John is a hydroponic specialist and educator, installing hydroponic systems and writing curriculum for these projects in schools throughout NJ. 

Caitlin is responsible for working collaboratively with community members and the ETC team to lead programming and initiatives that develop and revitalize the East Trenton neighborhood. She also oversees and manages operations, grants, and the on-going economic, physical and community development initiatives of ETC. Caitlin is a longtime community activist, both locally and nationally, and has been recognized for her commitment to the city of Trenton.

Mr. Gallagher has over 35 years of experience in environmental consulting, much of which has been devoted to habitat restoration. He has managed numerous wetland and habitat restoration projects. These projects covered a variety of project types including the enhancement of floodplains, hydrologic enhancement of wetlands, estuarine wetland creation and enhancement, urban wetlands and vernal habitat creation and enhancement.

Kathy is responsible for managing watershed protection and restoration projects, including in-stream and riparian buffer restoration projects, agricultural projects, and stormwater management projects.  Kathy has 27 years of experience in watershed management in New Jersey, including work in the private and public sectors. She served on the board of the NJ Section of AWRA for many years.

Anne works with partners to develop policies and programs to assist local governments in implementing sustainable actions. Previously,  Anne worked on a range of planning and re-grant programs for Conservation Resources, Inc and was a conservation planner working primarily in the Delaware Bayshores and Pine Barrens with the New Jersey Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. 

As Director of Policy and Research, Evan helps provide strategic insight to CLA staff and volunteer attorneys based on legal, policy, and data-driven research and analysis. Evan also provides legal assistance to Maryland clients through CLA’s Direct Client Services Program. In his previous position at the Center for Progressive Reform, Evan advocated for rigorous implementation of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup plans and effective enforcement of the Clean Water Act.

In this role, Ryan coordinates, directs, and leads high-value, priority NJDEP policy and regulatory initiatives on behalf of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner on issues such as climate change, environmental justice, water resource protection, multistate and Federal regulatory matters. As a Regulatory Officer for NJDEP’s Office of Legal Affairs in the past, he worked to develop and draft rulemaking documents for a wide range of issues, including PFAS, lead and copper, and underground storage caverns. 

Heather is an environmental reviewer of New Jersey Water Bank projects in the NJDEP Municipal Finance and Construction Element. She reviews a wide range of water infrastructure projects around New Jersey but specializes in green infrastructure projects in urban areas. She has also worked in the NJDEP’s Office of Environmental Justice, where she assisted in policy development and coordination of the NJDEP Environmental Justice Advisory Council (EJAC) membership.

A recipient of the 2015 Advocate Award from Environmental Advocates of New York, the 2016 Environmental Champion from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the 2021 Margaret Douglas Medal recipient from the Garden Club of America. In 2018 The Great Healthy Yard Project began working with The Garden Club of America to decrease pesticide usage on yards and gardens across the U.S. and advocate for responsible drug disposal.

Since 2000 he has directed the Environmental Law Clinic at the Law School which represents environmental and community organizations in complex litigation that address the ecological challenges of our time. He is an activist and scholar with expertise and extensive experience in environmental and citizen suit litigation. He is the co-founder and co-chair of the Eastern Environmental Law Center, the sole public interest environmental law firm in New Jersey, and served on the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Environmental Litigation.

Eric’s primary role is the Finance and Operations Director, but he also serves as the TrentonTrekkers Director. Eric holds degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Purdue University and an Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA) from the University of Notre Dame. He taught environmental education at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, North Carolina Aquarium, and Chincoteague Bay Field Station and performed water quality testing in labs at the University of Notre Dame for 5 years.

Vince was selected to lead the WLM program in June 2020. He is a licensed professional engineer and is regarded as an expert in flood risk analysis and mitigation. Vince authored New Jersey’s Flood Hazard Area Control Act rules, which are the most stringent statewide flood hazard area and stream corridor protection regulations in the nation and has a leading role in the development of NJPACT.

A seasoned environmental professional with lab, field and education experience. Previously, Kendra worked at the Liberty Science Center as Senior STEM Educator and project lead for sustainability and climate change initiatives. Kendra is an NNOCCI certified climate interpreter. She now works on addressing water quality issues in under-resourced communities.

In her role, Leigh manages the business functions of the program to ensure that applicants with qualified projects are ushered through the review processes and succeed with project financing.  Leigh is also tasked with implementing new program initiatives with the goal of expanding the program. She is responsible for procurements of professional services related to the I-Bank’s water program and for ensuring compliance with its statutes and regulations.

Josh joined Sustainable Princeton in 2021 in the new role of Program Coordinator where he supports the non-profit’s efforts to inspire the community to develop and implement solutions that positively impact the environment. He has previous experience in nonprofit administration and equity capital markets advisory. He lives in Bucks County, PA where he is an advocate for sustainable agriculture, including previous service on his township’s Farm Committee. 

Mike Pisauro is a practicing attorney with over 25 years of experience. As the Advocacy Director for The Watershed Institute, Mike engages with state and local officials to improve and protect New Jersey’s watersheds. Along with helping state officials update New Jersey’s stormwater management rules, he wrote The Watershed Institute’s enhanced model stormwater ordinance.

Ed was awarded a highly competitive Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship to serve on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC where he crafted policies designed to improve our nation’s health and competitiveness. Ed is Chair of the Keep it Green Coalition working to sustain funding for the preservation and stewardship of New Jersey’s natural resources, and on the board of Sustainable Jersey.

Jim Purcell is the Princeton Land Use Engineer and, in addition to reviewing site plans and subdivision plans, is responsible for ensuring compliance with Princeton’s storm water management ordinances on any development that increases impervious area on a lot by more than 400 square feet. Jim has over 40 years of engineering experience in civil engineering design, construction, and inspection. Jim is a licensed professional engineer in New Jersey and 5 other states.

Alex Rivera is an environmental professional with a background in community engagement, economic development, workforce development, and recreation. He is interested in issues of park and environmental equity and how environmental assets improve outcomes for disinvested neighborhoods. 

Lisa has spent twenty years working for both private and municipal clients performing environmental impact studies, wetland delineations, threatened & endangered species surveys, tree inventories, securing grants for land preservation, tree planting projects and inventories. She has written several municipal ordinances for the protection of trees and endangered species. Lisa consults as a NJ Licensed Tree Expert to assist municipalities with their Community Forestry Management Plans.

Patrick supervises a permitting staff responsible for environmental reviews of wetlands, highlands, and flood hazard area permit applications for northern New Jersey. He has a M.S. in Ecology, with a Watershed Stewardship focus from Penn State University and a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Cook College, Rutgers University.

Taylor attended Mercer County Community College for Ornamental Horticulture and Rutgers University for Environmental Planning. He is currently enrolled in a master’s program at Oregon State University for Urban Forestry. Taylor has been an adjunct instructor in the Horticulture Department at Mercer County Community College, an arborist for a nationally known tree company, and worked for an engineering firm that worked directly with the NYC Parks Department.

Patricia Shanley, Ph.D. has thirty years of experience researching the value of forests to local livelihoods (and integrating traditional knowledge with science to empower communities) in the Amazon, Indonesia, and with inner city youth in the forests of New Jersey. She currently works for People and Plants International, the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), and directs a forest stewardship program for youth with Ridgeview Conservancy.

Noilda has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil. During her college years, she left her home country for the first time in 2014 when she won a scholarship to study abroad at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Her goal is to promote sustainable environments and she believes that the first step for that to happen is by raising awareness especially among the youth.

Julia provides strategic oversight to the Trenton Health Team’s Community Advisory Board and its subcommittees and affinity groups, and manages a broad portfolio of work integrating public health and community development to address social determinants of health. Julia earned a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in History with a Certificate in American Studies from Princeton University.

As Executive Director of North Jersey RC&D (Resource Conservation & Development), Laura works alongside RC&D staff and partners to successfully implement the nonprofit’s agriculture and water quality mission and goals. Through multiple grants, RC&D programs include agricultural best management practice implementation, cover crop/no-till education and research, as well as, renewable energy assessments. Laura is a licensed professional engineer who graduated from Rutgers University.

Steve joined The Watershed Institute staff in 2016, bringing with him an impressive background of lab and field research, data analysis, and reporting of environmental and ecological research. His mix of experiences in academia and the private sector include time working as senior R&D scientist at Terra Cycle. He has conducted research in a variety of ecosystems, including open-ocean, estuary, riverine, groundwater and permafrost.

Leah Yasenchak is a nationally accredited and New Jersey state licensed planner and certified economic developer. With over 25 years working at both the federal and local level on planning and environmental restoration programs, Ms. Yasenchak has extensive experience with managing and implementing projects, managing and coordinating millions of dollars in federal, state, and local grants, technical review and oversight of brownfield projects, and more. 

SOLD OUT

Join our Science Team at The Watershed Institute to learn more about our Green Infrastructure features like rain gardens, stormwater meadows, and our green roof. Steve Tuorto, our Science Director, will show participants how these systems work within the Watershed’s ecosystem, how we maintain them, and some of the lessons learned/challenges we’ve had along the way. Steve will also showcase our new floating wetlands project at Rosedale Lake and touch on some of the other green infrastructure projects The Watershed Institute is involved in across the region.

CAPACITY: 20 

Join our staff at The Watershed Institute to learn more about our reserve, trails, and history. Allison Jackson, our Stewardship Coordinator, will bring participants through our trails and talk about the stewardship activities that go into maintaining the various different kinds of habitat within the reserve. She will touch on the issues we have with invasives and what she is doing to try and maintain a canopy of natives within the reserve. Sophie Glovier, Assistant Policy Director, and author of “Walk the Trails in and Around Princeton,” will share her experiences on the trails. She will point out special points of interest and history.

Note: Our trails can get very wet! Make sure to bring appropriate, waterproof, footwear and dress for the weather. 

Many municipalities’ staff register for our events using purchase orders. Here are some simple instructions on how to register by purchase order.

1. Send Pri a scanned copy of the purchase order. Please make sure to add the names of all prospective registrants, their job titles, and their emails
2. Use the ‘pay later’ option at checkout to bypass payment at registration. Once the PO is processed and we receive a check, the balance will be adjusted.
3. Pri will send you a signed copy of the purchase order back.

How to register

Find your email confirmation

SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE/CHANGE YOUR REGISTRATION

Access the hub and update your attendee profile to facilitate networking

Access the schedule/session Zoom links and add sessions to your calendar

Our primary concern at The Watershed Institute is making virtual and in-person audiences feel like they interact with each other as if they were in the same room. Read about how we can all help make that happen.

Click here

Your sponsorship supports our mission to keep water clean, safe, and healthy.

This is a great opportunity to get your name out in front of hundreds of attendees including municipal leaders, engineers, watershed advocates, businesses, and community members who will need to work together across municipal boundaries to solve New Jersey’s environmental problems. Your sponsorship will help defray conference expenses and allow us to keep registration fees low. It will also provide scholarships for students and others requiring financial aid. A table will be reserved for all sponsors who support the conference at the $1,000 level or above.

To become a sponsor, please reach out to Pri Oliveira, The Watershed Institute’s Outreach Specialist, at [email protected] with the subject line: [Watershed Conference Sponsor]. You can also call 609-737-3735 ext. 27 with any questions.

Learn more about the different sponsor levels

Sponsorship Form

RIVER RANGER $500

• 6 virtual registrations included
• Company name, logo, and link on conference outreach emails
• Company name, logo, and link on conference website
• Company name and logo on event agenda and schedule portal

 STREAM STEWARD $200

• 4 virtual registrations included
• Company name, logo, and link on conference website
• Company name and logo on event agenda

 NONPROFIT SPONSOR $80

• 2 virtual registrations included
• Company name and logo on event agenda