Water is our most fragile and precious resource. Essential to all forms of life and to our economies, our water supplies face a myriad of threats from pollution to climate change. Keeping our water clean, safe and healthy in the face of these challenges is the heart of the Watershed’s mission. Our strategy for doing so involves scientific investigation, advocacy at the state and local level, enhanced land and water stewardship, and education to expand environmental literacy.
Our Core Issues
Polluted Stormwater Runoff
Cultivate knowledge about polluted stormwater runoff in local towns and cities and the impacts for water quality and ecosystems. We’ve developed a model ordinance that exceeds the state’s basic standards and continues to guide officials in crafting local ordinances to comply with the state rule that went into effect in March 2021.
Green Infrastructure
Educate and model the use of green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and swales, which mimic nature and filter pollutants with native plants and grasses. Our Watershed Center is a demonstration area for porous pavement, rain gardens, vegetated filter strips, and other green infrastructure. We offer certification and training to an array of professionals.
Unneeded Pipelines
Helped defeat the proposed PennEast pipeline and continue to fight against other unnecessary pipelines that expose New Jersey residents, private and public lands to the risks of transporting natural gas to benefit of private, for-profit companies.
Scientific Fixes for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Design and adopt innovative ways to tackle harmful algal blooms (HABs) in local ponds, lakes and other waterways. We’ve built and deployed floating wetlands that grow hardy plants on a platform of soil/marine foam and absorb excess nutrients, such as pesticides and fertilizers, without the use of chemicals. These projects aim to make New Jersey waterways swimmable and fishable.
Removing Dams
Rid the region of antiquated and useless dams that impede natural spawning grounds, and contribute to sedimentation. Once removed, waterways such as the Millstone River have seen the return of historic shad runs as well as other anadromous fish. Getting rid of dams allows for the natural flow of waterways and improves recreational opportunities.
Find Out More
Shad Return to Millstone River Thanks to Dam Removal, More Action Needed
It’s not every day that you can witness first-hand natural habitats that humans had extinguished hundreds of years ago finally being restored. Recently, on ...
Outrun the Sun at the 2023 Solstice Trail Run on June 21!
Outrun the Sun! Get some exercise, have some fun and support The Watershed Institute at the 2023 Solstice Trail Run on June 21! This annual event features 5...
Grant Supports Efforts to Inspire Collaboration and Solve Regional Challenges
Thanks to ongoing support of the William Penn Foundation, The Watershed Institute will continue to collaborate with a coalition of organizations focused on strengthening state ...
Leave your Mark on the New Boardwalk – Purchase a Plaque
The Watershed Institute invites you to leave a legacy by purchasing a personalized plaque, which will be displayed prominently along the Hickory Loop Boardwalk. By ...
Volunteers Remove more than 5 Tons of Trash from the Waterways
More than 750 volunteers came together for Stream Cleanups at 15 different locations in central New Jersey over two weekends for the Watershed Institute’s 17th Annual ...
Fully Accessible Hickory Loop Boardwalk Is Officially Open
The Watershed Institute officially opened its new Hickory Loop Boardwalk with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Annual Meeting on April 24. The fully accessible raised ...
The Watershed Welcomes 2023 Education Interns
The Watershed Institute is excited to welcome Katie Genovesi and Davis Bush as part of its education internship program for 2023. The program, which runs for ...
