Events and 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.

	November 2018
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1	2 New Jersey Watershed Conference New Jersey Watershed Conference Starts: 9:30 am Ends: November 2, 2018 - 4:00 pm Description: The 2nd Annual New Jersey Watershed Conference Date: Friday, Nov. 2nd Time: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: The Watershed Institute (31 Titus Mill Rd., Pennington, NJ) Cost: $25 (includes lunch) Keynote Speaker: Michele Putnam, Director of the Division of Water Quality at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection The 2nd Annual New Jersey Watershed Conference is an educational event that aims to advance knowledge and communications on issues related to water quality and quantity across the state. We welcome attendance from environmental professionals, nonprofit organizations, government officials, and interested members of the general public. The conference will feature a variety of presentations from local experts on watershed management, stormwater, green infrastructure, and the problems and solutions related to the health of our watersheds. Learn more about the event here: https://thewatershed.org/new-jersey-watershed-conference-2018/ Register for the Conference here: http://thewatershed.doubleknot.com/event/the-2nd-annual-nj-watershed-conference/2421169 More details... •	3
4 Volunteer Day at Schiff Nature Center Volunteer Day at Schiff Nature Center Starts: 9:00 am Ends: November 4, 2018 - 11:00 am Description: November 3, 2018 (Saturday) 9-11 am Volunteer Day @Schiff Schiff Nature Center 339 Pleasant Valley Road, Mendham, 07945 Please join us for a day of land stewardship activities at 339 Pleasant Valley Drive. Each Volunteer Day provides the community an opportunity to work side by side with Schiff staff and Board members in a variety of hands-on projects. Depending on the season, we may be removing brush and vines from trails, removing invasive species, restoring fences and bridges, or raking out the Native Garden. Volunteers (16 and under with a parent, please) are encouraged to dress in weather appropriate attire, wear hard toes shoes, and bring a beverage and snack. Contact: 973-543-6004 Or Register online here. More details... •	5 Deadline - Hudson River Fund Research Pre-Proposals Deadline - Hudson River Fund Research Pre-Proposals Starts: 12:00 am Ends: November 5, 2018 - 11:59 pm Description: The Hudson River Foundation announces its 2019 Request for Hudson River Fund Research Proposals Preproposal deadline: Monday, November 5, 2018 The Foundation seeks to elucidate the dynamic interactions among the physical, chemical, and biological processes that are important to the Hudson River ecosystem. In particular, the Foundation encourages research in areas that are both scientifically important and relevant to current or anticipated public policy and resource management issues affecting the River and its watershed. Recognizing that both basic and applied research are fundamental to the management of Hudson River resources, the Foundation places special emphasis on research that has clearly articulated significance for policy issues identified in the management programs described below and is conducted in the context of other ongoing research and monitoring in the River and its watershed. Visit the Hudson River Fund page for more details View the 2019 Call for Proposals More details... •	6 Overview of the Regional Plan Association's 4th Regional Plan Overview of the Regional Plan Association's 4th Regional Plan Starts: 5:00 pm Ends: November 6, 2018 - 6:30 pm Description: Tues., Nov. 6 Florio Forum E.J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Overview of the Regional Plan Association’s 4th Regional Plan As president and CEO of Regional Plan Association, Tom Wright led the production of RPA’s landmark Fourth Regional Plan, released in 2017, which proposes 61 recommendations to reform public sector institutions, modernize our transportation systems, address the challenge of climate change, and provide affordable and livable communities for all the region’s residents. 5:00 p.m., CSB Florio Forum The event is free and open to the public but RSVP requested by visiting http://go.rutgers.edu/5s91529 1.5 AICP CM credits available for this event. A light reception will follow the event. For more information: http://bloustein.rutgers.edu/bloustein-school-to-present-an-overview-of-the-fourth-regional-plan/ More details... •	7	8 Bayshore Regional Watershed Council Meeting Bayshore Regional Watershed Council Meeting Starts: 8:00 pm Ends: November 8, 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... •	9 New Jersey Watershed Conference New Jersey Watershed Conference Starts: 12:00 am Ends: November 9, 2018 - 11:59 pm Description: Save the Date! New Jersey Watershed Conference 9 AM-5 PM \| Friday, November 2, 2018 https://thewatershed.org/new-jersey-watershed-conference-2018/ More details... •	10 Fall Trails Days - Middlesex County Fall Trails Days - Middlesex County Starts: 9:30 am Ends: November 10, 2018 - 12:00 pm Description: Fall Trails Day - Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation Saturday, November 10 9:30am - 12:00pm Ireland Brook Conservation Area - East Brunswick Join us to help maintain the trails at this expanding open space property. Pre-registration is required for all volunteer events. For more information and directions, please contact Griffith Boyd at 732 -745-3064 or visit: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/About/ParksRecreation/Pages/PR/CCVolunteerEvents.aspx More details... Central Jersey Stream Team - Columbia Lake Cleanup Central Jersey Stream Team - Columbia Lake Cleanup Starts: 10:00 am Ends: November 10, 2018 - 1:00 pm Description: This event was rescheduled from 10/27/18 due to inclement weather. Please join CJST for our first cleanup in Warren County as we partner with The Nature Conservancy and local groups on a watershed wide cleanup of the Paulinskill River. CJST will be focusing on the former lakebed of Columbia Lake which was exposed several months ago as part of the Columbia Dam removal project. It's been underwater for over 100 years so the lakebed is loaded with tires and other trash! Some volunteers will be wading in to the river to pull out trash from the channel. If you would like to go in the water, please bring tall boots or waders, or wear some old sneakers that can get wet and dirty! (But remember it will be late October!) Of course there is plenty of opportunity to clean along the banks and on the lakebed for those who don't want to go in the water. We will also need help moving the junk from the river and lakebed to the disposal area. We hope that many of our regular volunteers will make the trip and we expect to welcome many new volunteers! The event begins at 10:00 AM and will end around 1:00 PM. We will meet at the former boat launch within the Columbia Wildlife Management Area. Use 11 Warrington Road, Columbia, NJ as the closest address (if coming from Route 80, it is the first right about 300 ft beyond the truss bridge). Look for the Columbia WMA sign and follow the gravel drive to the end. Look for the CJST truck and trailer. You will be directed to park along the side of the gravel road so that other vehicles can pass. Join us for sign up, instructions and safety and enjoy some breakfast on us! Please note that registration/RSVP is important so that we know what kind and how many supplies to bring and get a headcount for breakfast. This is especially true if you are bringing a larger group. The organizers are going to get t-shirts made so prompt registration will give us an accurate headcount. There may be a separate webpage created by the organizers for registration. We will keep you posted. Volunteer Instructions: 1. Bring along your family and friends! It's going to be a really fun and great day! The more junk we find the more rewarding the experience! 2. Wear sturdy footwear and clothing you don't mind getting dirty or wet! Bring waders if you have them and want to get in the water. And dress for the weather! We will provide garbage bags, work gloves, tools, and water for volunteers. So please come on out and help the river! We look forward to restoring this small piece of the Paulinskill River watershed with you! Please contact Jens Riedel at jens.riedel@cjstreamteam.org or 908 240-1346 if you have questions or if you plan on bringing a larger group. More details... • •
11	12 Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority Meeting Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority Meeting Starts: 7:30 pm Ends: November 12, 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... •	13 Bob Romano - Central Jersey Trout Unlimited Bob Romano - Central Jersey Trout Unlimited Starts: 7:00 pm Ends: November 13, 2018 - 9:00 pm Description: Central Jersey Trout Unlimited Bob Romano "Rangeley Lakes Region - Maine" Meeting Location American Legion Hall 137 New Market Road Dunellen, NJ Meetings starts at 7:30 PM Non Members are always welcome! Visit www.cjtu.org for more information Bob Romano and his wife, Trish, have owned a camp in the Rangeley Lakes Region of Western Maine for more than thirty years. This is a region of the country rich in sporting tradition and known for its native brook trout and wild landlocked salmon. Bob’s program includes 100 photos of the lakes, rivers and streams that remain as they were when Carrie Stevens tied her Gray Ghost streamer. Bob has updated his commentary to address not only when and where to fish, but also as what flies to use. The tenth-anniversary edition of Shadows in the Stream, Bob’s book of essays about fly fishing, is often used by anglers as a guide to fishing the Rangeley Lakes Region. His latest book, THE RIVER KING – A FLY-FISHING NOVEL will also be available for sale. Bob is also the author of the Rangeley Lakes series of novels that include North of Easie, which won second place in the 2010 Outdoor Writer’s Best Book Contest. Romano’s essays and short stories have appeared in various anthologies, including Christmas in the Wild, Fresh Fiction for Fresh Water Fishing, and Wildbranch: An Anthology of Nature, Environmental, and Place-Based Writing. He writes articles for various magazines and newspapers and does his best to keep up with his blog: forgottentrout.wordpress.com and his website: www.forgottentrout.com More details... NJ League of Municipalities Annual Conference NJ League of Municipalities Annual Conference Starts: 12:00 am Ends: November 14, 2018 - 11:59 pm Description: The NJLM Conference 2018 rolls out inspiration to plan for the future with a theme of Municipalities Leading the Way. The 103rd League Conference will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center Nov. 13-15 with exhibit move-in Nov. 12. Learn more here: https://www.njslom.org/300/Conference More details... • •	14 Rutgers Climate Symposium 2018 Rutgers Climate Symposium 2018 Starts: 8:30 am Ends: November 14, 2018 - 3:00 pm Description: Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - Climate Change and Food Security November 14, 2018 Busch Student Center 604 Bartholomew Rd Piscataway, NJ 08854 Fostering collaboration among natural and social science researchers and students interested in climate change from institutions in the NJ, NY, and Philadelphia region. Over 200 attendees representing more than 20 research institutions in our region participate annually. Talks are centered on the symposium theme. The poster session invites abstracts on climate change scholarship and are not restricted to the theme. There is no fee to attend but registration is required. Event flyer here. Featuring Alessandro De Pinto, International Food Policy Research Institute Rachel Bezner Kerr, Cornell University Pinki Mondal, University of Delaware Malin Pinsky, Rutgers University Kevon Rhiney, Rutgers University Poster Abstract submission by 11:59 PM on Sunday November 4, 2018 Register to attend by 11:59 PM on Thursday, November 8, 2018 This event is intended for students, faculty, staff of academic and research institutions. A limited number of registrations will be available for unaffiliated members of the public upon request. More details... •	15	16 Future Flooding in Riverine Systems - Symposium Future Flooding in Riverine Systems - Symposium Starts: 1:00 pm Ends: November 16, 2018 - 3:30 pm Description: NJ-AWRA Future Risk Symposium: Future Flooding in Riverine Systems Duke Farms 1112 Dukes Parkway West (Orientation Center) Hillsborough, NJ 08844 1:00 - 3:30 pm Register: http://nsawra.onefireplace.org/events Click Here for the Event Flyer NJ-AWRA's newly formed Future Risk Committee has been working hard to present a symposium focused on future flooding in riverine systems. This event will present on relevant climate trends, modeling, and planning that can be used in NJ to prepared for future flood events in our riverine systems. This event is free to NJ-AWRA members, and $15 to non-members This seminar is approved for 2 CFM CEC's and 2 NJ PE self-reporting credits More details... NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program Annual Conference NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program Annual Conference Starts: 9:00 am Ends: November 16, 2018 - 4:00 pm Description: Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House 1 Bowling Green New York, NY 10004 The New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program presents a conference celebrating the release of HEP's Action Agenda, State of the Estuary Report and Environmental Monitoring Plan. This event will bring together 200 officials from local, state and federal government, non-profit advocates, utilities, scientists and private consultants. Please join us for a full day discussion of the environmental health of the Estuary and what actions our program and partners are taking towards our shared goals. The afternoon sessions will feature highly interactive panels and workshops based around actions in which we would like feedback from the community. See the draft agenda here! For More Information: http://www.harborestuary.org/ More details... • •	17 Surf Fishing Clinic - Sandy Hook Surf Fishing Clinic - Sandy Hook Starts: 8:00 am Ends: November 17, 2018 - 3:00 pm Description: Surf Fishing Clinic - Sandy Hook, NJ Sat Nov 17th 18 Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732, USA Sat November 17th 8:00am - 3:00pm Sandy Hook, Building #18, 18 Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732, USA Join Jeff Dement, Tagging Director, for a day of surf fishing and instruction on the beach. He'll cover the basics of casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and “reading” a beach. All skill levels are welcomed. Rods, reels and tackle will be provided, but bring your own if you have it. Children under 18 are welcome with a supervising adult. Meet at 8 a.m. at building 18. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided but please bring your lunch. Cost : $30 for members, $50 for nonmembers Contact: 732-291-0055 for more information and to reserve More details... •
18 Bayside Beach Cleanup - NY/NJ Baykeeper Bayside Beach Cleanup - NY/NJ Baykeeper Starts: 10:00 am Ends: November 18, 2018 - 12:00 pm Description: Public Cleanup Come out for a day of environmental advocacy! Sunday, November 18, 2018 10am – 12pm Bayside Beach along Sandy Hook Bay Sandy Hook National Recreation Area For more information or to register, visit http://nynjbaykeeper.org/about-us/volunteer/ More details... •	19 Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership Meeting Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership Meeting Starts: 10:00 am Ends: November 19, 2018 - 12:00 pm Description: November 19, monthly meeting November 19 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm The LRWP November meeting will be held from 10-noon in the Middlesex County Planning Offices at 75 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ – 5th floor mid-size conference room. Parking is validated for those parking on floors 5 and higher in the RWJ Wellness Parking Deck located at 95 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Be sure to bring your ticket to the meeting for validation. For More Information: http://lowerraritanwatershed.org/event/november-19-monthly-meeting/ More details... •	20 Somerset County Hazard Mitigation Plan Somerset County Hazard Mitigation Plan Starts: 4:45 pm Ends: November 20, 2018 - 6:15 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... Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership Members Meeting Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership Members Meeting Starts: 7:30 pm Ends: November 20, 2018 - 9:30 pm Description: November Membership Meeting of the Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership Tuesday, November 20th, 7:30PM. Speaker, Mr. Johnny Quispe. Contact Alan Godber for more information: agodber@turbousa.com More details... • •	21	22 Thanksgiving Day Walk at Mapleton Preserve Thanksgiving Day Walk at Mapleton Preserve Starts: 10:00 am Ends: November 22, 2018 - 12:00 pm Description: FRIENDS OF PRINCETON NURSERY LANDS THANKSGIVING DAY WALK Thursday, November 22, 2018, 10 AM This popular annual event will begin in the Mapleton Preserve, entrance at 145 Mapleton Road. This year, the fields of the Princeton Nursery Lands will be the focus of exploration. Come search for signs of local wildlife and enjoy the abundance and subtle beauty of late fall. Open to all, but preregistration IS requested. Call Karen at 609-683-0483 to reserve a spot. More details... •	23	24
25	26 Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority Starts: 7:30 pm Ends: November 26, 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... •	27	28	29	30