About Us
The Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI) unites organizations and individuals to protect forests and farms, clean up streams, and make cities and suburbs greener – all to ensure swimmable, fishable and drinkable water in the Delaware River and its tributaries. DRWI is an initiative of the William Penn Foundation.
South Jersey Water Savers is an educational campaign led by nine organizations, which are also part of the DRWI. The campaign’s goal is protect the Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer – South Jersey’s primary source of water. Many partners are needed to protect the Aquifer. The nine lead organizations and their role in this campaign are highlighted below.
American Littoral Society
Founded in 1961, the American Littoral Society works to promote the study and conservation of coastal marine life and habitat, defend the coast from harm, and empower others to do the same.
Implementation Role: The Society will work to advocate for policy reforms and implementation, partner with landowners and land trusts to protect open space, promote public understanding and involvement, and support partners in restoration projects and research.
Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions
The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), founded in 1969, works to achieve responsible and sustainable use of New Jersey’s natural resources and protection of environmental health. A statewide organization, ANJEC provides leadership, education, and support for environmental commissions and other local boards and public officials, and partners with other organizations to advocate for strong state and regional environmental policy.
Implementation Role: ANJEC will provide education for local officials and their towns’ residents and develop sound public policy on the municipal, regional and state levels. ANJEC will monitor water usage, encourage water conservation, work with local officials on land use planning that protects water resources, and educate municipal officials and homeowners about septic system management.
Natural Lands Trust
Natural Lands Trust, founded in 1953, works in southern New Jersey, emphasizing three strategic objectives: Saving Land, Stewarding Natural Resources, and Connecting People to Nature. The organization’s primary focus is on areas that support threatened plant and animal populations.
Implementation Role: NLT staff will work in five of the six focus areas to engage the community, preserve land, and restore agricultural lands.
New Jersey Audubon
New Jersey Audubon (NJA), founded in 1897, fosters environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among New Jersey’s citizens; protects New Jersey’s birds, mammals, other animals, and plants, especially endangered and threatened species; and promotes
Implementation Role: NJA will work in the Kirkwood-Cohansey Cluster to accelerate the adoption of agricultural conservation and best management practices; implement ecological restoration projects and leverage funding to assure their success; broaden the acceptance of essential ecological stewardship techniques such as prescribed fire; secure permanent funding for open space protection; and advance policy reforms and implementation.
New Jersey Conservation Foundation
New Jersey Conservation Foundation, founded in 1960, preserves New Jersey’s land and natural resources for the benefit of all.
Implementation Role: New Jersey Conservation Foundation will work throughout the project region to preserve forested and agricultural lands to protect water quality, and support the development of public policies that further these preservation efforts.
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc. (PDE), a National Estuary Program founded in 1996, leads science-based and collaborative efforts to improve the tidal Delaware River and Bay, which spans Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Implementation Role: The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will work throughout the Bayshore to conduct scientific research, ecological restoration, and community engagement & education, as well as support other partners’ restoration and outreach efforts.
Pinelands Preservation Alliance
Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA), founded in 1989, is devoted to saving the natural and historic resources of the Pinelands by preserving the Pine Barrens ecosystem, its plants and wildlife, its water, and its landscape throughout the Pinelands National Reserve, promoting wide public awareness of the values of Pinelands resources and issues involved in their preservation, and advancing permanent acquisition of land and development rights by private and public conservation agencies.
Implementation Role: PPA will work to advocate for policy reforms and implementation, promote public understanding and involvement, and support partners in restoration projects and research.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
Rutgers Water Resources Program focuses on creating solutions for water resources issues in New Jersey. Our mission is to identify and address community water resources issues using sustainable and practical science-based solutions.
Implementation Role: Rutgers will work to design and implement green stormwater infrastructure, create impervious cover assessments and reduction action plans for municipalities in Kirkwood-Cohansey Cluster focus areas.
South Jersey Land & Water Trust
South Jersey Land & Water Trust (SJLWT), founded in 1990, works to preserve and protect the land and water resources of southern New Jersey – maintaining and enhancing the natural, cultural, and historic heritage of the region. SJLWT does this through land preservation, monitoring
Implementation Role: SJLWT will work to assist partners in land acquisition and stewardship as well as promote community engagement and stewardship with outreach, education, restoration projects, and research.
William Penn Foundation
The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region. To protect and restore clean water in the Delaware River Basin, WPF invests $30 million per year to support watershed-wide research and advocacy, build an informed constituency for watershed protection, and fund projects in the Initiative’s eight focus areas.