2025 Sessions
Forests and Headwaters
in the President's Circle Room (1st floor)
Nonprofit Stewardship of Headwaters and Restored Wetlands
Emily Allen: Board Member, Greater Culver Lake Watershed Conservation Foundation
Kathleen Farley: Executive Director, Teaneck Creek Conservancy
Kristine Rogers: Watersheds Program Manager, SCMUA-Wallkill River Watershed Management Group
In this case study, you’ll hear from representatives of the Greater Culver Lake Watershed Conservation Foundation (GCLWCF) and Teaneck Creek Conservancy about the stewardship work being conducted by their nonprofit organizations in rural versus suburban regions of North Jersey. GCLWCF will highlight its work in Sussex County to permanently preserve and restore a former golf course into a publicly accessible nature preserve while Teaneck Creek Conservancy will discuss its efforts to steward 46 acres of restored wetlands owned by Bergen County. The presentations will also underscore the similarities and differences in management strategies because of the land’s different ownership types (nonprofit versus county government).
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Description coming soon.
Forest Management Best Practices
Ben Spinelli: Executive Director, New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council
Dr. Michael van Clef: Stewardship Director, Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS)
This workshop explores innovative best management and stewardship practices for preserving and enhancing ecological resources of New Jersey's forests through two examples. Dr. Michael van Clef discusses development of the Forest Stewardship Plan for the Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain in Titusville. Ben Spinelli will discuss the development of Forest Management Best Practices to manage water quality within the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Region.
Research and Innovation
in the Board Room (2nd floor)
Water Quality Challenges of the Future
Skylar Reed: Principal Engineer, Newark Sewer and Water Authority
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Recent studies by government and non-government agencies alike have revealed the frightening extent of microplastic, PFAS and PFOA contamination in drinking water supplies throughout the globe, raising questions about the short- and long-term health impacts from these chemicals and regulations for exposure limits for safe drinking water. Increases in both extensive drought and flooding raise further concerns about water supply quality and quantity. In this workshop, learn about current and forecasted challenges to maintaining water quality for New Jersey's 9.5 million residents.
Road Salt and its Impacts on Water Quality
Dave Bressler: Stroud Water Resource Center
Jennifer Latzgo: Founder, PA Road Salt Action Network
Kristine Rogers: Watersheds Program Manager, SCMUA-Wallkill River Watershed Management Group
Application of road salt throughout the winter months is notable not only for its damaging effects on cars, but also the waterways into which the water runs after the snow melts. Learn about actions being taken in neighboring Pennsylvania to study road salt contamination and advocate for reduction and alternatives to road salt, and how the lessons can be applied to New Jersey, with some of the densest road and waterway networks in the nation.
Innovative Approaches to Water Quality Management
Jaclyn Rhoads: Executive Director, Pinelands Alliance
Kristine Rogers: Watersheds Program Manager, SCMUA-Wallkill River Watershed Management Group
Nathaniel Sajdak: Watershed Director, SCMUA-Wallkill River Watershed Management Group
Enhancing water quality is more than just science: it's an art, that combines creative applications of urban planning, landscape architecture, engineering and gardening to build infrastructure that is not only functional, but beautiful. Learn about two distinct innovative approaches to managing water quality through the construction of floating wetland islands and rain gardens in watersheds throughout New Jersey that reduce pollution while improving the usability and aesthetics of public spaces.
Taking Action
in the Sitnick Theatre (1st floor)
Working With Municipalities in Protecting Headwaters
Frank Zammataro: President, Mendham Alliance for Preservation and Conservation (MAPC)
Henry Bayard: Conservation Committee Coordinator, Hacklebarney Chapter Trout Unlimited
Description coming soon.
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Description coming soon.
Acquiring and Stewarding Open Space
Alex Rivera: Board Chair, Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT)
Jeff Everitt: Executive Director, Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT)
Description coming soon.