The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recognized The Watershed Institute on Monday with its Our Water’s Worth It award, honoring the nonprofit for its regional leadership on stormwater management and climate resilience.
NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette presented the award during a Climate Week kickoff event held at The Watershed Institute, citing the organization’s “incredible work in amplifying that regional approach” to watershed planning and stormwater infrastructure.
“I commend The Watershed Institute for its commitment to protecting the environment of Central New Jersey and keeping our water clean, safe and healthy,” LaTourette said.
Building regional solutions
Since 1949, The Watershed Institute has focused on protecting water resources through conservation, science, education, and advocacy. In recent years, the group has convened watershed working groups that bring together municipalities, counties, and community leaders to collaborate on stormwater management and pursue funding for shared projects.
“Communities across New Jersey are experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change — from increased flooding to polluted stormwater that threatens both our health and our waterways,” said Jim Waltman, executive director of The Watershed Institute. “Addressing these challenges requires regional collaboration, and we are proud to help bring together municipalities, community leaders, and residents to find shared solutions.”
Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning emphasized how the Watershed’s efforts have helped local governments respond more effectively. “The Watershed Institute’s leadership is so critical,” she said. “Its vision in creating and supporting watershed working groups has changed how municipalities like ours approach stormwater management by convening towns, providing technical expertise, offering resources and helping to secure funding.”
A broader partnership
Other speakers at the event, including Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, Mercer County Planning Director Maria Connolly, and Montgomery Township Mayor Neena Singh, echoed praise for the organization’s role in helping communities adapt to climate impacts. Connolly noted that Mercer County has worked with the Watershed on innovative projects such as floating wetlands to combat harmful algal blooms in Rosedale Lake and preservation of farmland and open space.
LaTourette closed the program by underscoring the urgency of local collaboration. “Let no one tell you that the problem’s too big to solve on the local level, in your communities, on your doorsteps and in your backyards,” he said. “We only really achieve good things when we do them together.”
Climate Week and inland flooding
The award presentation came as the Murphy administration highlighted statewide progress on climate resilience. A key piece of that effort is the Inland Flood Protection Rule, adopted in 2023 to update stormwater and flood hazard regulations with modern rainfall data.
The rule requires new development and redevelopment projects to account for increased precipitation intensity projected through the end of the century. State officials say the change ensures that stormwater systems, culverts, and other infrastructure are designed to withstand heavier downpours and more frequent inland flooding. LaTourette has described the Inland Flood Protection Rule as a “critical component” of New Jersey’s climate strategy, directly addressing riverine flooding risks that have caused significant property damage and loss of life in storms like Hurricane Ida.
Montgomery Township was among the municipalities to act on the new standards. Singh pointed to the township’s 2024 ordinance adopting updated rainfall requirements, saying, “These updates help make the stormwater systems more resilient and protective of water quality.”
Looking ahead
Governor Phil Murphy launched New Jersey Climate Week to spotlight state efforts on emissions reduction and resilience. The Our Water’s Worth It award, created in 2024, raises public awareness about the importance of protecting water resources. Previous honorees include Ridgewood Water, the City of Lambertville, the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute, and the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority.
For more information about The Watershed Institute’s regional watershed improvement plans, visit thewatershed.org.
