Raritan Headwaters Association

TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE HEADWATERS REGION OF THE RARITAN RIVER BASIN.

BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL AND BACTERIAL STREAM MONITORING WAS ACCOMPLISHED AT 72 SITES LOCATED IN THE RARITAN RIVER HEADWATERS REGION BY 50 CITIZEN SCIENTISTS, ACADEMIC PARTNERS, AND RHA STAFF. WATER QUALITY DATA WAS PRESENTED TO THE NJDEP, EPA, MUNICIPALITIES AND TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH RHA'S ONLINE REPORT CARD. OVER 5,500 DRINKING WATER QUALITY TESTS WERE CONDUCTED THROUGH RHA'S WELL TESTING PROGRAM. MORE THAN 2,000 INDIVIDUAL TAPS WERE TESTED AT HOMES IN 43 MUNCIPALITIES. A WATERSHED-WIDE STREAM CLEANUP EVENT TOOK PLACE IN APRIL - 1,300 VOLUNTEERS PICKED UP OVER 16 TONS OF TRASH AND RECYCLABLES AT 73 SITES INCLUDING PLASTIC, TIRES, AND A WIDE VARIETY OF ITEMS THAT THREATENED THE HEALTH OF THE WATERSHED AND DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES. 450 VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN HANDS-ON CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES INCLUDING TREE PLANTING, TRAIL CLEARING, AND INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL. AT 4 LOCATIONS RHA HELD NATURE CAMPS OVER 18 WEEK-LONG SESSIONS WHERE 434 CHILDREN FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND URBAN AREAS OUTSIDE THE REGION PARTICIPATED IN FUN, OUTDOOR, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. OUR WATERWAYS SCHOOL PROGRAMS REACHED HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS THROUGH CLASSROOM LESSONS AND FIELD EXPERIENCES. WATERSHED TOOLS FOR LOCAL LEADERS SEMINARS EDUCATED CITIZENS AND DECISION-MAKERS ON TOPICS INCLUDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, AND LEAD IN DRINKING WATER. THE ASSOCIATION WORKED TO ADVOCATE FOR WATER PROTECTION POLICIES WITH PARTNERS INCLUDING NJ HIGHLANDS COALITION, NJ LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS, LEAD IN DRINKING WATER TASK FORCE, ASSOCIATION FOR NJ ENVIROMENTAL COMMISSIONS, NJ WATERSHED COUNCIL, THE WATERSHED INSTITUTE, NJ CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, AND OTHERS. RHA IS AN ACCREDITATED LAND TRUST, HOLDING, MONITORING AND ENFORCING 33 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, REPRESENTING 890 ACRES AND OWN AND MANAGE 10 PRESERVES AS OPEN SPACE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS INCLUDING FAIRVIEW FARM, A 170 ACRE WILDLIFE PRESERVE THAT OFFERS 5 MILES OF HIKING TRAILS, A SENSORY AND BIRD & BUTTERFLY GARDEN, A SCIENCE AND EDUCATION CENTER, AND MODEL STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS.