On June 8, 2018, a sold-out crowd explored emerging contaminants affecting the Raritan and renewed watershed planning efforts that will address new and ongoing threats on our path to achieving fishable and swimmable status for the Raritan River, basin and bay.
Conference participants included representatives from state, local and federal government, non-profit organizations, businesses, philanthropic organizations, academia and others committed to a more sustainable Raritan. The morning session included a compelling panel on emerging contaminants that delved into the source and fate of PPCPs, POPs, EDCs, nanomaterials and microplastics. The afternoon session included an overview of basin-wide status and trends reports on key indicators of water quality and watershed health in the Raritan that was followed by a World Cafe style working session where participants explored those indicators as regards biggest obstacles affecting the issues and how they could be overcome.
The morning and afternoon sessions were supported by fourteen well-received Lightning Talks and twenty-six posters. The conference also included well-attended exhibitor’s tables.
During lunch, keynote speaker, Debbie Mans, Deputy Commission of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, reflected on her past experiences, recent developments at the NJDEP, Department priorities and what she hopes to accomplish during her tenure there.
The lunch program also included the 2018 Sustainable Raritan River Awards, which are conferred annually to recognize outstanding achievements in efforts to revitalize, restore and protect Raritan River resources and to make the Raritan region a premiere place to live, work and raise a family. Four recipients were recognized. See the next article to learn more about the Awards program and recipients.
Thanks to everyone who joined us on June 8th and to our sponsors who made the event possible. If you would like to learn more, or review any of the presentations or posters, visit our conference web page at http://raritan.rutgers.edu/conference2018/.