Events & Awards

Conferences, seminars and meetings focused on the Raritan provide exciting opportunities to learn about research in complementary fields and best management practices, to network with professionals in the field, and for students to solicit interest and feedback when they showcase their own work. This section includes information about upcoming events as well as details about past conferences and workshops. When available, we include copies of presentations, proceeding summaries and copies of posters for your reference.

Also in this section, is information about the Sustainable Raritan Awards. Since 2010, we have recognized outstanding achievement in efforts by our Raritan partners to revitalize our region, restore and protect our resources and promote the area as a premiere place to live, work and raise a family. We accept nominations throughout the year and announce the recipients each June during our annual conference. Learn more about the awards and past recipients here.

	December 2018
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
						1 State of Our Watershed Conference - Raritan Headwaters Assn. State of Our Watershed Conference - Raritan Headwaters Assn. Starts: 8:45 am Ends: December 1, 2018 - 12:00 pm Description: Raritan Headwaters Association, the nonprofit watershed watchdog for a 470-square mile region in Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties, will hold its 15th annual “State of Our Watershed” conference Saturday, Dec. 1 from 8:45 a.m. to noon at Hoffman’s Crossing Campus, 37 Hoffman’s Crossing Road, Califon. Dr. Daniel Van Abs, a Rutgers University professor, will deliver the keynote address titled, “What Will Climate Change Do to Our Streams?”. “Clean water is essential to each of us” said Cindy Ehrenclou, RHA’s executive director. “We urge anyone interested in knowing more about the health of their drinking water, or water quality in local streams, to join us at the conference.” Keynote Speaker Dr. Daniel Van Abs, Rutgers University Water scientists from Raritan Headwaters will discuss the health of our waterways, including our findings on microplastic pollution, as well as water quality in underground aquifers that supply residential wells. In addition, policy and education initiatives will be discussed. The conference will close with an informal “data reveal,” during which the audience will see the 2018 results of stream monitoring conducted by RHA’s staff and citizen scientists, who evaluated 63 stream sites throughout the watershed to determine water quality and ecological health. The drinking water quality data on contaminants such as arsenic, bacteria, and lead obtained from RHA’s Well Test Program will also be shared. The conference, which includes breakfast, is free, though donations are appreciated. Attendees are asked to register in advance online at https://tinyurl.com/RHASOW2018 or by calling 908-234-1852 ext. 315. “We are monitoring the health of our water to ensure a safe supply of drinking water and healthy ecosystems throughout the North and South Branch Raritan region and beyond,” said Dr. Kristi MacDonald, science director for Raritan Headwaters. “The State of Our Watershed is a day when we invite the public to gather for a discussion of water quality in their community and learn about the part they play in protecting it.” About Raritan Headwaters Raritan Headwaters has been working since 1959 to protect, preserve and improve water quality and other natural resources of the Raritan River headwaters region through efforts in science, education, advocacy, land preservation and stewardship. RHA’s 470-square-mile region provides clean drinking water to 300,000 residents of 38 municipalities in Somerset, Hunterdon and Morris counties and beyond to some 1.5 million homes and businesses in New Jersey’s densely populated urban areas. Raritan Headwaters recently was accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission, meaning it has been recognized as a strong and effective organization committed to professional excellence and maintaining the public’s trust. To learn more about Raritan Headwaters and its programs, please visit www.raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852. More details... •
2	3	4	5	6 HEP's Citizen Advisory Committee HEP's Citizen Advisory Committee Starts: 1:00 pm Ends: December 6, 2018 - 4:00 pm Description: Save the dates for the 2018 NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) meetings! All meetings are open to the public; call-in is available using 866-266-8084 PIN 44373. March 20th, 2018 from 10 AM - 1 PM, with coffee and networking beginning at 9:30. Held at the North Jersey Transportation Authority Office at 1 Newark Center, 17th Floor. RSVP here and add it to your calendar here. Agenda and meeting materials will be available in the coming weeks. June 4th, 2018 from 10 AM - 1 PM with coffee and networking beginning at 9:30. Held at the Hudson River Foundation office. RSVP here and add it to your calendar here. September 18th 10 AM – 1 PM with coffee and networking at 9:30. Held at the North Jersey Transportation Authority Office at 1 Newark Center, 17th Floor. RSVP here and add it to your calendar here. December 6th from 1 - 4 PM with coffee and networking beginning at 12:30 PM. Held at the Hudson River Foundation Office. RSVP here and add it to your calendar here. More details... Highlands Council Meeting Highlands Council Meeting Starts: 4:00 pm Ends: December 6, 2018 - 6:00 pm Description: Highlands Council Meeting Calendar Dates for 2018 Highlands Council and Highlands Development Credit Bank Board meetings are listed below. All meetings listed on this page are open to the public. Meeting materials, including agendas, will be posted in advance of meetings whenever possible. Please note that all meetings are held at the Highlands Council Offices, 100 North Road, Chester, NJ. Public Notice: 2018 Highlands Council Meeting Schedule (pdf) Public Notice: 2018 Highlands Development Credit Bank Schedule (pdf) Highlands Council Meetings Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. January 18 - cancelled February 15 March 15 April 19 May 17 June 21 July 19 August 16 September 27 October 18 December 6 More details... Somerset County Hazardous Mitigation Plan Somerset County Hazardous Mitigation Plan Starts: 7:00 pm Ends: December 6, 2018 - 8:30 pm Description: Public Input Sought on Hazard Mitigation Plan Find out more at public meetings being held Nov. 20 & Dec. 6. Because public participation is an important component of hazard mitigation planning, Somerset County Freeholder Brian G. Gallagher invites residents to review and provide input on a five-year update to the countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan, which paves the way for pre-disaster mitigation funding. The document and a link for comments may be found on the county’s website under Public Health & Safety. Somerset County residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting to learn more about the Hazard Mitigation Plan update. The first public meeting, included as part of the Somerset County Planning Board’s regular meeting, will be held Tuesday, Nov. 20. The meeting will start at 4:45 p.m. in the freeholder meeting room, located on the 3rd floor of the county Administration Building at 20 Grove St. in Somerville. The second public meeting will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy, located at 402 Roycefield Rd. in Hillsborough. Participants will learn about the purpose, goals and objectives of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. During the meeting, county Planning Division representatives will review the public outreach process, major natural hazards and vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies and projects. They also will discuss next steps, including reviews by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), local adoption, plan maintenance and implementation. The public comment period will conclude Jan. 7, 2019. The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders spearheaded the comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) in 2008. This plan, which was last updated in 2013, is important because it makes the county and its participating municipalities eligible for future mitigation funding through FEMA. The detailed plan addresses a variety of potential natural hazards that could affect some or all of the county’s residents. “The county Planning Division and Office of Emergency Management collaborated with members of the Mitigation Planning Committee to complete the updated plan as required by FEMA,” said Freeholder Gallagher, planning liaison. The committee includes representatives from county divisions and offices, municipalities and other stakeholder groups. “We are asking residents to participate in the process by attending one of the public meetings and providing feedback on the plan.” The goal of the plan is to identify projects that can reduce damages from future natural hazards. The plan includes a risk assessment and hazard-mitigation strategy. The primary natural hazards in Somerset County are severe storms and flooding, but other potential hazards include drought, extreme temperatures, wildfires and earthquakes. The study focused on existing and future buildings, infrastructure and critical facilities that might be impacted by natural hazards. Annexes for each of the county’s 21 municipalities will be included in the plan. This will make each municipality eligible to apply for pre-disaster mitigation funding for projects that will reduce hazard vulnerabilities and risks and help communities recover more quickly from disasters. For more information, contact Walter Lane, director of the county Planning Division, at (908) 231-7021 or Planningbd@co.somerset.nj.us; or Douglas Vornlocker, Office of Emergency Management director, at (908) 725-5070 or EmergencyMgmt@co.somerset.nj.us. More details... • • •	7 Jersey Water Works Annual Conference Jersey Water Works Annual Conference Starts: 9:00 am Ends: December 7, 2018 - 2:30 pm Description: Jersey Water Works 2018 Conference The fourth annual Jersey Water Works Conference is a day-long event that will bring together more than 300 state and local decision-makers, practitioners and stakeholders to amplify the importance of addressing New Jersey’s water infrastructure, explore innovative solutions and celebrate the Jersey Water Works collaborative as an effective, comprehensive approach to achieving statewide impact. Previous conferences have featured national and local speakers, the announcement of commitments to action by the members of Jersey Water Works, and panel discussions about local water infrastructure challenges and opportunities. More information about the 2015, 2016, and 2017 conferences. Click here to see which organizations have attended the conference. Use #njwater18 to follow and spread conference news on social media! Stay tuned for information regarding CPE credits. Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Date and time: Friday, Dec. 7, 2018; 9:00 am – 2:30 pm The conference is presented by Jersey Water Works, a collaborative of diverse individuals and organizations working to transform New Jersey’s inadequate water infrastructure through sustainable, cost-effective solutions that provide communities with clean water and waterways; healthier, safer neighborhoods; local jobs; flood and climate resilience; and economic growth. Questions? Please contact Program Manager Ed DiFiglia, 609-393-0008 ext. 112. Interested in sponsoring? You'll reach more than 300 professionals involved in upgrading New Jersey's water infrastructure. For sponsorship information, please contact Michele Glassburg, 609-393-0008 ext. 107. For more information or to register: https://conference.jerseywaterworks.org/about2018/ More details... •	8 Green Brook Clean-up - LRWP Green Brook Clean-up - LRWP Starts: 10:00 am Ends: December 8, 2018 - 1:00 pm Description: ~SAVE THE DATE~ Join the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Central Jersey Stream team for a clean-up of the Green Brook! WHAT: a clean-up of the Green Brook on Saturday December 8 from 10AM to 1PM WHERE: Green Brook Regional Center, 275 Greenbrook Rd, Green Brook Township, NJ 08812 This Event is Co-coordinated by the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, Central Jersey Stream Team and the New Jersey Sierra Club. With special thanks to the Green Brook Department of Public Works for cartage and supplies. Please wear closed toe shoes and clothes you are willing to get dirty. Gloves and bags will be provided! * For more information contact Heather hfenyk@lowerraritanwatershed.org * For more information visit www.lowerraritanwatershed.org or http://www.cjstreamteam.org/ More details... •
9	10	11 Annual Holiday Gathering with Fly Tying - CJTU Annual Holiday Gathering with Fly Tying - CJTU Starts: 7:30 pm Ends: December 11, 2018 - 10:00 pm Description: December 11, 2018 Annual Holiday Gathering with Fly Tying www.cjtu.org Our Meeting on December 11th will feature some of the old and some of the new. We will start the meeting at 7:30 pm with pizza and soda available. As for the old, as in past December meetings, we invite our Chapter fly tiers to demonstrate their patterns, techniques and general prowess to other attendees. So if you are one of these tiers, bring you materials and tools and be prepared to show off. Due to last year's success we will continue three new twists. First, we want to encourage those who have never tied a fly to get started. So please invite any friends , neighbors, spouses, family members, significant others or whatever that fit this category to the meeting or come yourself and one of our excellent instructors will provide guidance in tying a first fly. Tools and materials will be provided. Second, for existing tiers who have questions about a particular pattern or technique, bring the relevant hook and materials and your own vice and tools and our instructors will guide you in answering your questions. Could it be that none can help? We doubt it. But maybe you can wipe the smug confidence off their faces to the delight of all attendees. Finally, for those who never have or never will tie flies, we invite you to share social interactions with other Chapter Members and witness the appearance of Santa Claus at about 9:00 pm. Santa will have special gifts to those who have been good during the last year. Even if you haven’t been good Santa keeps poor records and will most likely still give you something. Anyway, come on down and have a great time. American Legion Hall 137 New Market Road Dunellen, NJ Meeting starts at 7:30 PM - Non Members are always welcome! More details... •	12	13 Bayshore Regional Watershed Council Meeting Bayshore Regional Watershed Council Meeting Starts: 8:00 pm Ends: December 13, 2018 - 10:00 pm Location: Hall Place, Hall Pl, Keyport, NJ 07735, USA Description: Monthly Meeting of the Bayshore Regional Watershed Council The watershed council is an all-volunteer organization. Since 2000, we have been dedicated to improving water quality and restoring wildlife habitat along Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay. Please consider joining the watershed council. Membership is always free. We depend on the time and generosity of volunteers for everything we do. Join us for a watershed meeting. Meetings are always informal and a great way to learn about your watershed. We meet the second Thursday of every month at 7:30pm inside Keyport Borough Hall located on Front Street. www.restoreraritanbay.org More details... •	14 Emerging Contaminants Workshop: Focus on PFAS Emerging Contaminants Workshop: Focus on PFAS Starts: 8:00 am Ends: December 14, 2018 - 12:00 pm Description: Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast (BCONE) Register Now!! Emerging Contaminants Workshop: Focus on PFAS Wednesday November 14, 2018 from 8 am to noon Glastonbury Boathouse, 525 Welles Street, Glastonbury, CT A former Brownfields Site Come hear the latest information on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from experts in in the legal, technical and regulatory aspects of these emerging substances Speakers include: Bob Bowden - Fuss & O'Neill, Inc. Meghan Cassidy - EPA Region 1 Dale Wynkoop - ECT2 Jim Occhialini - Alpha Analytical Beth Barton, Esq. - Day Pitney Sponsored by the Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast Registration cost: $30 for members of BCONE and $50 for non-members* *If you join within one week of the event, BCONE will credit the $20 differential to your annual membership fee! Continuing education credit for Connecticut Licensed Environmental Professionals will be given pending course approval by the State Board of Examiners of Environmental Professionals Learn more or register here: https://www.brownfieldcoalitionne.org/event-3095004 More details... •	15
16 Christmas Bird Count - Kingston Greenways Christmas Bird Count - Kingston Greenways Starts: 7:30 am Ends: December 16, 2018 - 12:00 pm Description: CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT Sunday, December 16, 2018 The Kingston Greenways Association segment of this year's Audubon Christmas Bird Count begins at 7:30 AM and goes until noon. After a break for lunch at Palace of Asia, we will continue with the count in the afternoon. You can join us for morning, afternoon, or both. Experienced birders and novices are equally welcome to participate. If you are interested, give Karen Linder a call (609-683-0483) or an email (karen.e.linder@gmail.com) for more information and to register. More details... •	17 Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority Meeting Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority Meeting Starts: 7:30 pm Ends: December 17, 2018 - 9:30 pm Location: 290 River Road, Princeton, NJ Description: Authority Board Meeting Schedule A RESOLUTION SETTING REGULAR MEETING DATES FOR THE STONY BROOK REGIONAL SEWERAGE AUTHORITY FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT Resolution No. 2015-78 BE IT RESOLVED by the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority: That the regular meeting day of the Authority be held on the fourth Monday of each month, except in November, when it will be held on the second Monday, and June and December when the meeting will be held on the third Monday of the month. http://www.sbrsa.com/ More details... Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority Starts: 7:30 pm Ends: December 17, 2018 - 9:30 pm Location: 50 Polhemus Ln, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, USA Description: Meetings of the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority are held the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the Authority conference room located in the Administrative Office. Open session meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and there is an opportunity for public participation. Anyone from the public wishing to be heard should arrive promptly for the start of a meeting as the public participation portion is early on the agenda. http://srvsa.org/ More details... • •	18 LRWP Annual Holiday Potluck - Save the Date! LRWP Annual Holiday Potluck - Save the Date! Starts: 6:00 pm Ends: December 18, 2018 - 8:30 pm Description: December 18, 6-8:30 PM: Annual Holiday Potluck and overview of 40 years of water resource management in the Lower Raritan. More information soon Visit www.lowerraritanwatershed.org for the latest information on this event. More details... •	19	20	21	22
23	24 Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority Meeting Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority Meeting Starts: 7:30 pm Ends: December 24, 2018 - 9:30 pm Location: 290 River Road, Princeton, NJ Description: Authority Board Meeting Schedule A RESOLUTION SETTING REGULAR MEETING DATES FOR THE STONY BROOK REGIONAL SEWERAGE AUTHORITY FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT Resolution No. 2015-78 BE IT RESOLVED by the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority: That the regular meeting day of the Authority be held on the fourth Monday of each month, except in November, when it will be held on the second Monday, and June and December when the meeting will be held on the third Monday of the month. http://www.sbrsa.com/ More details... •	25	26	27	28	29
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