The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is celebrating the 25th year of the award-winning AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, marking a significant milestone in the program’s mission to raise awareness of water quality issues and promote environmental stewardship by engaging directly with communities. In addition, the program has partnered with the national American Climate Corps launched last year to expand skills-based training in clean energy, conservation and climate resilience.
During a training day at the DEP headquarters building on Monday, 23 full-time AmeriCorps members were sworn into the program. Referred to as Watershed Ambassadors, the group will spend 10 months (September to July) teaching schoolchildren about the impacts human activities have on a watershed, conducting freshwater stream assessments to collect water quality data, holding rain barrel workshops, leading stewardship projects and more. Each ambassador is assigned to one of NJ’s 20 unique watershed management areas.
“This year marks 25 years of hard work and dedication from committed people who have volunteered their time to educate and thereby empower others to take active roles in safeguarding their local watersheds,” said Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “My DEP colleagues and I are extremely proud of those sworn into this impactful program that has for over two decades extended the reach of DEP’s efforts and provided valuable opportunities for tomorrow’s environmental leaders.”
To prepare for their term of service, the ambassadors attended professional training conferences hosted by the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE) and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) to learn about forming effective partnerships with educators, municipalities and environmental commissions in their watershed communities. In addition, the group received extensive training in conducting freshwater stream assessments and leading environmental education workshops. A federal partnership with the American Climate Corps also furthers the program’s ability to train ambassadors in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience skills.
This past June, the New Jersey program was announced as an implementing partner with the American Climate Corps. The ambassadors and program staff participated in a virtual swearing-in ceremony hosted by AmeriCorps alongside the White House National Climate Advisor. The collaboration emphasizes the crucial role AmeriCorps plays in addressing climate challenges and fostering local engagement in environmental protection.
An Award-Winning Program
In September, ANJEC honored the program with its 2024 Environmental Achievement Award, specifically recognizing its Projects in The Parks initiative which led to the completion of 18 stewardship projects across 183 acres of state parks, forests, and historic sites. The ambassador-led stewardship projects engaged over 400 volunteers to plant nearly 200 trees, conduct rain garden cleanups, build rain barrels, remove over 200 bags of litter and reduce invasive species.
“We are deeply grateful to the Watershed Ambassadors for their outstanding commitment and support in helping preserve and enhance our state parks,” said NJDEP State Park Service Administrator Rebecca Fitzgerald. “Their projects have made a lasting impact on our environment and the communities that enjoy these natural spaces. We look forward to continuing this invaluable partnership.”
Program Background
Founded in 2000, the program is part of AmeriCorps, a federal agency that supports volunteerism, and is housed within DEP’s Division of Water Monitoring, Standards and Pesticide Control. Watershed Ambassadors are available to train local volunteers and students in stream monitoring techniques, as well as other environmental stewardship initiatives. For more information about the program, or to schedule a presentation or learn about environmental stewardship, please visit dep.nj.gov/wms/bears/americorps-nj-watershed-ambassadors/.
“Our ambassadors contribute over 600 waterbody assessments annually, which are crucial for maintaining the health of our ecosystems,” said Division of Water Monitoring, Standards and Pesticide Control Director Vic Poretti. “In addition to the data collection, this hard-working group of environmental advocates play a vital role in promoting water quality through education, outreach, and hands-on stewardship initiatives.”
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