AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program

AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program Since then, the Department has recruited and trained over 350 AmeriCorps members as Watershed Ambassadors to serve New Jersey communities.

The AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program is an environmental AmeriCorps program focused on water quality in NJ where Ambassadors act as local stewards and resources in their community! The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection began hosting the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program in September of 2000 under an AmeriCorps State contract with the Corporation

for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors train and work with community volunteers to monitor the waters in their community using state and federally-approved visual and biological monitoring techniques. AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors also visit schools and community organizations to share information and educate the community about water and watershed issues in New Jersey and to encourage students and residents to become involved in protecting their watershed. The Program works to improve water quality by exploring relationships between people and the environment, nurturing community-based environmental activities, and empowering residents to make responsible and informed decisions regarding their watershed.

Stream Study Presentation at Mine Brook ParkJoin AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors, Katie Lindsay and Daniel M...
06/01/2026

Stream Study Presentation at Mine Brook Park

Join AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors, Katie Lindsay and Daniel Magda, for a water quality presentation at Mine Brook Park! From the Walnut Brook, Ambassadors will demonstrate a stream assessment and collect macroinvertebrate stream insects, while guests follow along and get a chance to meet the bugs!

📆Saturday, June 20, 2026
🌧 Rain Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026
🕗9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
📍Walnut Brook at Mine Brook Park (116 Capner St, Flemington, NJ 08822)

👕Dress for the weather! Be sure to bring sunscreen, bug spray, water and snacks!

Please RSVP on the form linked in the flyer or below, and indicate if interested in an additional virtual Q+A session as well! https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.gle/LGYQVpnQqyBinzUx5__;!!J30X0ZrnC1oQtbA!OBHfP3-8OPj4CMX62XkVY6pifbrD3AlSBiI_VLYaMfdqaAMVQRT-ecz_XdTtmidoFAO1DxpT0cLoW1ElnjKJ9bnXL2xxTap4ziU$



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

Watershed Explorers: Understanding and Protecting Our WaterJoin the Passaic County Park Rangers and AmeriCorps NJ Waters...
05/27/2026

Watershed Explorers: Understanding and Protecting Our Water

Join the Passaic County Park Rangers and AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors for a guided walk along Highland Preserve's Cooley Brook or Garret Mountain Reservation's Slippery Rock Brook and Barbour's Pond! Learn about watersheds, pollution sources, stream health, and local aquatic life, all while understanding how you can do your part in protecting it. Please wear rain boots or closed-toed shoes you don't mind getting wet. We will be getting in the water!

Date and Time:
June 7th from 10am - 12pm at Garret Mountain Reservation
June 27th from 10am - 12pm at Highlands Preserve

Location and Parking:
June 7th at Garret Mountain Reservation: 8 Mountain Avenue, Woodland Park. Please park in the Patti Boathouse parking lot (40.8957177, -74.1826996).
June 27th at Highlands Preserve: 22 Warwick Turnpike, West Milford. Please park in the lot next to the Ball Fields off of Arlington Avenue (41.1568893, -74.3540864).

Detailed directions and location information will be provided to registered individuals a few days before the event.

This program is geared towards educating children of ages 10-14 years.

**Registration is required.** Please register on the Passaic County Parks & Recreation: Park Ranger Hikes & Programs website at this link: https://passaiccountynj.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30148



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

Free Composting Workshop 🪱🍎🌿Join the Wallkill River AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador for a workshop at the Norwescap S...
05/22/2026

Free Composting Workshop 🪱🍎🌿

Join the Wallkill River AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador for a workshop at the Norwescap Sussex Community Center 37 Main St, Sussex, NJ 07461 to learn the basics of composting at home! During the workshop, we will create take-home compost containers made from recycled materials such as large protein powder containers.

Compost containers will be one per household unless there are extra supplies.

📆Saturday, June 6th 2026
🕓10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
📍37 Main St, Sussex, NJ 07461

🚗Park on Main Street in Sussex Borough/ Municipal Lot and meet us in the Norwescap Sussex Community Center.

Please note the workshop is open to families however, the use of power drills must be done by someone 18+. Assistance, all materials, and refreshments will be provided.

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf06k-SoqcnBeI6Wx6xD6PN70au51DWdhIusZRJ0QMYiF-rIg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114546839797378436247

Please email Lena with any questions ([email protected])



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

Invasive Plant Identification and Removal EventIn partnership with Holland Township Environmental CommissionWe will lear...
05/22/2026

Invasive Plant Identification and Removal Event

In partnership with Holland Township Environmental Commission

We will learn to identify invasive plants and remove species which may include Mile a Minute, Thistle, Mugwort, Japanese Barberry, Multiflora Rose, and Honeysuckle. This will help the growth of native plant species, benefitting the preserve!

📆Sunday, June 7, 2026
🌧 Rain Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
🕗9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
📍O’sakame Preserve (355 Riegelsville Milford Rd, Milford, NJ 08848)

What to Bring: Gardening/work gloves, loppers or hand clippers, if available: pruning saws, rakes, tarps. Water and snacks.

👕Dress for the weather! Clothing you would not mind getting dirty, long sleeves, and pants. Be sure to bring sunscreen, bug spray, and tick repellant.

‼️Volunteers must be 13 years or older and volunteers ages 13-17 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian‼️

If you have any questions, please email Katie: [email protected]



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

Mini BioBlitz at Pequannock Valley ParkJoin the Pequannock Environmental Commission and AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassad...
05/21/2026

Mini BioBlitz at Pequannock Valley Park

Join the Pequannock Environmental Commission and AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors for a Mini BioBlitz! This annual survey adds to our records of species that make Pequannock their home and helps us to better understand what may be changing.

Date and Time: Saturday, May 30, 2026
"Early Birder" Session: 7am - 9am
"Critter-Search" and Family Session: 9am - 11am

Location and Parking: Located at Pequannock Valley Park, Marvin Rd, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444. Please park at the rear parking lot off of Marvin Road (40.962004, -74.289378). This is where we will meet as a group.

At 7am, there will be an "Early Birder" walk around Woodland Lake to identify and log birds, other animals, and plants. At 9am, there will be a "Critter-Search" and Family Session, where we will be inspecting macroinvertebrates from a Meyer's Brook sample and taking a casual version of the "Early Birder" walk. Please refer to the flyer for more details.

Registration: Please register at this link: https://forms.gle/7Mc66cnAgJyg9cHg8



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

🌟And that’s a wrap 🌟 Over the past few weeks, you’ve gotten to meet every single one of our incredible ambassadors; thei...
05/20/2026

🌟And that’s a wrap 🌟

Over the past few weeks, you’ve gotten to meet every single one of our incredible ambassadors; their stories, their energy, and everything they bring to our wonderful New Jersey communities!

Now you’ve met them all 💫

There is still time to collaborate with your local Watershed Ambassador, this year's cohort will serve with us until early July. For more information on how to connect with your Watershed Ambassador go to our website: https://dep.nj.gov/wms/bears/americorps-nj-watershed-ambassadors/



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

Dreahook Road May Tree Plantings in Readington Township 🌳🌲This event has been made possible through the partnership of t...
05/15/2026

Dreahook Road May Tree Plantings in Readington Township 🌳🌲

This event has been made possible through the partnership of the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program and Readington Township with DPW.

Please note this event is happening across three different dates! There will be a section within the sign up form where you can indicate which date you are available to assist!

📆Dates:
🟢Saturday May 16 (rain date Sunday May 17)
🔵Saturday May 23 (rain date Sunday May 24)
🟣Sunday May 31 (no rain date)

🕑 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM
📍60 Dreahook Rd, White House Station, NJ 08889

Please arrive by 10:15 AM if possible to allow time for parking and sign-in, and be sure to stop at the registration table to sign the AmeriCorps Waiver/Sign-In sheet as this must be signed before you can take part in the event.

🚗There is a small parking lot available, once full please park at edge of road or anywhere in the field (carpooling suggested). The tree planting site is on a dirt road without an official sign, the parking lot is clearly marked and available for use, but you can drive down the dirt road and park in the field as needed! Either option will work, as long as the road remains open and unblocked.

👕Please bring gardening gloves, and a shovel if possible, but tools are provided. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear clothing that can get dirty!

‼️Please Note: Chip snacks provided! Volunteers must be 12 years old or older and all minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone or legal guardian.‼️

Please email Katie Lindsay with questions: [email protected]



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

🌟 AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT 🌟 Meet Team Leader Daniel Magda 👋 He is the Watershed Ambassador for Watershed Management Area 8,...
05/13/2026

🌟 AMBASSADOR SPOTLIGHT 🌟
Meet Team Leader Daniel Magda 👋 He is the Watershed Ambassador for Watershed Management Area 8, serving the North and South Branch Raritan Watersheds. Daniel is hosted by the Raritan Headwaters Association 💧

💬 What does being a Watershed Ambassador & AmeriCorps member mean to Daniel?
"Being an AmeriCorps member has given me the opportunity to serve not only my local community, but also to serve other New Jersey communities. One of my favorite projects to work on has been UWEP, which gives children in underserved communities experience with fishing and water quality. Having grown-up fishing, it was so much fun to share that experience."

🌱 Biggest achievement so far?
"My project with Raritan Headwaters Association. Last term, we planted 550 trees to bolster the riparian zone along the South Branch of the Raritan, near Melick’s Bridge, where the bank has eroded. Projects like the tree planting at Melick’s Bridge have meant a lot to me. I grew up fishing along the South Branch of the Raritan and have seen how tree plantings can mitigate adverse effects."

⭐ Favorite memory?
“The June monthly meeting during my first term, we spent two days on Sedge Island learning about the ecosystem.”

🌸 What’s Daniel most excited for?
"I am most looking forward to doing Horseshoe Crab tagging and kayaking the Pine Barrens!"

💡 Why did Daniel apply to NJWAP?
"I applied to NJWAP because it allowed me to learn from environmental professionals. I have had the opportunity to focus on American Eel ladders and water quality testing at Budd Lake. NJWAP has truly been an amazing opportunity and experience."

🌍 Did you know? Ambassadors are FREE community resources and can:
✔️ Provide educational presentations
✔️ Support schools & community groups
✔️ Host cleanups, workshops, and plantings
✔️ Lead stewardship trainings & more

📩 Partner with Daniel: [email protected]
🔗 Learn more: https://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/americorps.htm

🤝 Watershed Ambassadors are part of AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey and are hosted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

Our Ambassadors are always learning, growing, and giving back! No matter how busy they are, they continue making time to...
05/11/2026

Our Ambassadors are always learning, growing, and giving back! No matter how busy they are, they continue making time to deepen their knowledge of New Jersey’s ecological history and support local conservation efforts.

🦎 This season, Ambassadors joined amphibian crossing monitoring efforts with training provided by the Somerset County Park Commission, helping frogs and salamanders safely cross roads on warm, rainy nights; always ready to lend a helping hand!

💧 To prepare for stream monitoring season, the group also participated in refresher trainings to brush up on their skills and get back into that “stream” mindset.

🦈 And of course, it’s not all service and no play! The group traveled south for a vernal pool walk at Piney Hollow Preserve, where they spotted a variety of frogs, snakes, and birds. They also enjoyed educational adventures like fossil hunting in Monmouth County, uncovering exciting finds including shark teeth!



AmeriCorps AmeriCorps New Jersey New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NJDEP’s Water Resource Management

Address

401 East State Street, PO Box 420 MC 401-04I
Trenton, NJ
08608

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16096331441

Website

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