AmeriCorps Week 2019 was a huge success thanks to the tireless efforts of the NJ Watershed Ambassadors. Highlights from the week include:
A very successful kick-off event at the DEP Headquarters. Approximately 40 people attended, spilt almost evenly between alumni and current Ambassadors. Attendees networked and shared stories regarding their terms of service.
4 consecutive days, with 3-5 Watershed Ambassadors each day, providing AmeriCorps and Watershed Ambassador-related information to DEP staff during lunch hours in the cafeteria.
19 watershed education-related presentations, statewide, which reached 316 people.
3 rain barrel workshops resulted in 34 rain barrels which will disconnect 47,600 gallons of stormwater from the stormwater system preventing the stormwater from carrying nonpoint source pollutants to local waterbodies.
3 cleanups which removed 117 bags of trash and 83 bags of recycling out of New Jersey’s waterways.
A dune grass planting where 300 volunteers planted over 25,000 American beach grasses to restore Island Beach State Park’s dunes.
AmeriCorps Week Alumni Celebration with alumni and active members.From left to right: (back row) Katie Harrison, Victoria Vella, Kristen Obermeier, Olivia Le Warn, Hannah Wolfe, Julia Galayda, Kristina Koreivo, Von Scully, Erin Dempsey, Fairfax Hutter, Daniel Correa, Ismail Sukkar, Mara Tippett, Ryan Jiorle. (middle row) Amanda Lotto, Sara Sayed, Kristen Andrada, Cara Wiebalk, Alexandra Cavagrotti, Katee Meckler, Naomi Jainarine, Melanie Cucunato, Alissa Ambacher, Jennifer Helminski, Allison Jackson, Sam Bernstein, Erin Stretz, Angelica Gorczyca, Heather Desko. (kneeling) Jonathan Fernandez
Jen Helminski (WMA 7) explains benthic macroinvertebrates and their relationship to water quality to DEP Commissioner McCabe.
Watershed Ambassador Daniel Correa (WMA 8) is pictured planting dune grass. The event was led by Watershed Ambassador Raymond LeChien (WMA 13) and Friends of Island Beach State Park.
Towpath Cleanup
Kristen Andrada (WMA 16) introduces herself during the AmeriCorps Week Alumni Celebration.
NJ Audubon Rain Barrel Workshop.
Raymond LeChien (WMA 13) shares his experiences as a NJ Watershed Ambassador with DEP employees.
Grass planting on the dunes at Island Beach State Park.
South River Floodplain Cleanup.
Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) rain barrel workshop.
For more information, please contactAmanda Lotto, AmeriCorps Program Manager
For more information, please contact Kimberly Cenno, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Environmental Analysis, Restoration and Standards at (609) 633-1441.
