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WATER SHIELD
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Organizations Protecting New Jersey’s water
We can’t help being thirsty, moving toward the voice of water. (Rumi)
New Jersey is fortunate to have many water conservation organizations. From educational films and workshops,
to hands-on efforts and advocacy, these groups offer a wide variety of activities for faith-based institutions. Four
organizations in particular—Hackensack Riverkeeper, NJ Highlands Coalition, Clean Ocean Action and the
Pinelands Preservation Alliance—provide activities that can be used to complete a congregation’s Water Shield
efforts. We are also deeply thankful to these groups for their expertise and assistance with creating the Water Shield.
These organizations, and links to additional ones, are described below. We hope your congregation will take
advantage of the many programs these organizations offer!
Hackensack Riverkeeper Inc.
http://www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/index.html
Why is the Hackensack River Important?
While the Hackensack River is one of the world’s smallest—spanning only 50 miles—nearly 20 million people live
within a short drive or train ride from its banks, and its reservoirs provide drinking water to over one million people.
Given its proximity to several older, post-industrial cities, the Hackensack River harbors a toxic legacy; heavy metals
and other pollutants remain in the river and the ecosystems it serves, posing threats to wildlife, and those who use it
for fishing.
How do I know if I am located within the Hackensack River Watershed?
Look for your town or your local water body on this map:
http://www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/watershed_map.htm
Mission of Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc:
Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. provides representation for the natural living resources of the Hackensack River,
through environmental advocacy, education and conservation programs. The focus of Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.
is to protect and defend the environmental quality of the eco-system of the estuary, river and watershed, and the
quality of life for the people and other creatures that inhabit the Hackensack River watershed.
Programs and Resources Offered:
• Eco-cruises on the Hackensack River and the NJ Meadowlands, aboard Riverkeeper’s specially rigged
pontoon boats. Narrated by a US Coast Guard-licensed captain.
• Paddling Center at Laurel Hill County Park, providing 26 canoes and kayaks for rental and guided tours.
• River Cleanups
•Bird-Walks
• Indoor Presentations on a range of topics, including a virtual tour of the Hackensack River, and
an introduction to the flora and fauna of the watershed.
• Urban fishing program with NJDEP: http://www.nj.gov/dep/dsr/urbanfishing/
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WATER SHIELD
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NJ Highlands Coalition
http://www.njhighlandscoalition.org
Why is the NJ Highlands Region Important?
The Highlands region is vast, covering nearly 860,000 acres, stretching 60 miles from Philipsburg in the southwest
to Oakland in the northeast, and including 88 municipalities. This land, much of it farmland, forest or historical
sites, provides a clean source of drinking water for 5.4 million people throughout New Jersey. In fact, the three
largest water reservoirs in the state are located in the Highlands. However, this region is under severe developmental
pressures, losing 3,000 acres of forest and farmland every year. As this natural land is lost, storm water problems
worsen, and the water supply is increasingly limited. This is particularly problematic as you consider that demand
for water already exceeds availability in over half (54%) of the Highlands’ watersheds.
How do I know if my town or water supply is connected to the Highlands?
Check this map for the municipalities that depend on the Highlands for water:
http://tinyurl.com/http-njhighlandscoalitionmap
Check this list to see if you live within the Highlands region:
http://www.njhighlandscoalition.org/HTML/high_muni.html
Mission of the NJ Highlands Coalition:
The NJ Highlands Coalition works to protect, restore, and enhance the water and other natural and cultural
resources of the New Jersey Highlands. The coalition promotes and ensures the enforcement of strong policies
that protect the Highlands, such as the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act and the Highlands Regional
Master Plan, and they support land conservation strategies and good environmental stewardship of the Highlands
region. The coalition educates the public and decision-makers on the natural and cultural value of the Highlands
region and the need to protect it.
Programs and Resources Offered:
• Highlands Advocates Program, where residents in the Highlands can become more involved in
advocating for the protection of their communities
http://www.njhighlandscoalition.org/HTML/advocates.html
•
Action alerts, where individuals or congregations can get up-to-date information on issues critical
to the Highlands
http://www.njhighlandscoalition.org/HTML/alert_form.html
•
Speakers on the natural and cultural history of the Highlands
Contact the Coalition ([email protected]) to arrange a presentation on the Highlands.
•
Facebook page and Website information including calendar of Highlands events
http://www.highlandstourism.org/events.php
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WATER SHIELD
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Clean Ocean Action
http://www.cleanoceanaction.org
Why are the Ocean and Coastal Areas Important?
From the northern ports, to the beaches of Cape May, New Jersey’s 127 miles of coastline supports a vast array
of wildlife and economies. Over 300,000 acres of tidal wetlands provide breeding and nursery habitat for fish,
1.5 million shorebirds stopover on their migratory routes, and coastal tourism brings in revenue of over 16 billion
dollars. Often the rich recreational and economic opportunities pose a problem to the health of coastal ecosystems;
some of the most ecologically sensitive areas are the ones most heavily utilized. In addition, runoff, litter and other
sources of pollution remain an ongoing threat to wildlife and water quality. 1
Mission of Clean Ocean Action:
“Our goal is to improve the degraded water quality of the marine waters off the New Jersey/New York coast.” Clean
Ocean Action identifies the sources of pollution along the coast, and uses research, public education and citizen
action to urge public officials to enact and enforce measures to clean up and protect the ocean.
Programs and Resources Offered:
Educational Programs
• Clean Ocean Action Presentations:
http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=111
• Student Ocean Advocates: a yearlong program for high school students, where students learn about
issues facing the ocean, and each school implements a campaign to influence the community to make
environmentally conscious choices in their daily lives. http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=679
• Student Summit: Provides hands-on, marine environmental education to middle school students that aligns
with the NJ core content standards. http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=108
Hands-on Activities
• Beach Sweeps: In 75 different locations in the state, volunteers gather to clean up a local beach and collect
data that COA incorporates into a yearly report. http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=153
• Storm Drain Stenciling Kit: http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=109
You get 2 stencils, door hangers for the neighborhood, and step-by-step instructions.
Informative videos (below are youtube links)
http://tinyurl.com/Say-yestocleanenergy http://tinyurl.com/Plasticstateofmind
Barnegat Bay Buddy
http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/index.php?id=719
Citizens earn points by taking actions that will reduce the pollution entering the Bay, and in turn, become a
Barnegat Bay Buddy and receive a certificate and lawn plaque.
1
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/cmp/fact2.pdf
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WATER SHIELD
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Pinelands Preservation Alliance
http://www.pinelandsalliance.org
Why is the Pinelands Region Important?
Spanning over 1.1 million acres, the Pinelands region is the largest surviving open space on the eastern seaboard
between the northern forests of Maine and the Everglades of Florida. This open space protects four aquifers
below the Pinelands that supply water to millions of households in New Jersey. Only a few of the aquifers in the
Pinelands are suitable for domestic water use, and all are at risk due to increased development and pressures from
agriculture, septic systems, farms and other activities. The sandy and porous soil of the region has little ability to
filter pollutants, which enter easily into surface and groundwater.
How do I know if I live within the Pinelands or depend upon water from it?
Check this list of municipalities located within the Pinelands National Reserve:
http://www.pinelandsalliance.org/protection/municipalities/
Check this list of Pinelands’ rivers and watersheds: http://tinyurl.com/pinelandsriversandwatersheds
Mission of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance:
The Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) conducts educational activities and engages in advocacy to preserve the
Pine Barrens ecosystem, promote public awareness of the values of Pinelands resources, and advance the acquisition
of land by conservation agencies. PPA’s advocacy is focused in four areas—monitoring of public agencies,
protecting the water quality and water supply in the Pinelands and Pine Barrens, and improving habitat protection
for the unique, rare and endangered species of the region.
Programs and Resources Offered:
• Gardening with Nature: A guide to native plant landscaping in the New Jersey Pinelands
http://tinyurl.com/guidetonativelandscapingNJ
• Hikes and canoe trips in the Pinelands
• Movies under the stars and lecture series about a range of topics
• Workshops on a variety of topics, including rain barrels
• Lectures on south Jersey stream exploration and understanding your water supply
Check out the PPA calendar for these and other upcoming events: http://www.pinelandsalliance.org/calendar/
Additional water-based organizations in New Jersey to consider:
WaterSpirit: www.waterspirit.org
American Littoral Society: www.littoralsociety.org
Wetlands Institute: www.wetlandsinstitute.org
Searching for local grassroots water groups by zip code: http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
List of water coalitions in New Jersey: http://tinyurl.com/watercoalitionsinNJ
NY/NJ Baykeeper: http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Great Swamp Watershed Association: http://www.greatswamp.org
Greenfaith WATER shield