On Sept. 21, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership (LRWP) celebrated its tenth anniversary with a birthday party at its boathouse and headquarters in Highland Park.
LRWP Board Members from L to R: Anton Getz, Dr. Johnny Quispe, Dr. Missy Holzer, Dini Checko, Alex Zakrewsky, Amy Braunstein, Esq., Dr. Heather Fenyk
The celebration drew attention to the diverse activities of the LRWP. Vessels created as part of the LRWP’s “Rowing on the Raritan Boat Building Project” served as decor in front of tents dedicated to the LRWP’s history and recent projects.
SEWA youth partners presented a summary of their work with the LRWP in investigating the Bandalong “Bandit” Litter Trap. Throughout the summer, high schoolers and their families gave their time to monitoring the trap and recording data regarding its efficacy and the garbage it removed from the Green Brook in Dunellen.
LRWP science communication interns shared a tent with Elver the eel, a sculpture created from garbage removed from New Jersey’s watersheds. Elver was created at the LRWP’s 5K “Run Off” by Lisa Bagwell, an artist known for working with litter collected during clean-ups. Interns gave attendees information about the LRWP’s ongoing pathogen monitoring program, annual eel monitoring program, and frequent clean-up events.
Additional tents provided pamphlets about the LRWP and information about New Jersey’s biodiversity. Attendees examined a map indicating where different birds, plants, and insects resided throughout the state and discussed how many they had seen before.
The future of the LRWP was a major theme. Attendees were encouraged to vote for their favorite of three designs for the boathouse’s upcoming repainting. A design depicting a male mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) in flight won the poll.
New facade proposal for our 101 Raritan Avenue Boat Shop – designed by RH Doaz
The main event was a series of speeches about the LRWP’s history, its impact, and its goals for the next 10 years.
Founder and LRWP President Dr. Heather Fenyk began by thanking the longtime supporters, and all of the friends made along the way. Heather recounted how the idea for the LRWP began with conversations regarding a plan for managing watershed area 9 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that was left hanging without funding for years, and the lack of research about “fishing for consumption” in the Raritan River.
The LRWP “emerged in partnership” with several other groups to research the safety of consuming fish from the Raritan River.
Laura Lawson (left) discussed the relationship between Rutgers and the LRWP. “My dream is that every student… has the opportunity to get on the Raritan,” Lawson said. Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
“Long story short, we realized that not only was there not much information about water health in the lower Raritan watershed… but that throughout the whole of the watershed there was a lack of data,” Heather said.
Heather, her husband Alex Zakrewsky, Amy Braunstein, and Phil George began the paperwork to officially start a nonprofit, and were quickly overwhelmed by requests and partnership offers from other organizations throughout the watershed.
A decade later, Heather emphasized a new vision based on Bill McKibben’s “Sun Day” celebration of the autumnal equinox.
“Let’s think about how our natural environment is already doing the right thing… in terms of renewable energy, renewable sources, what’s already there to celebrate.”
Other honored speakers included Executive Dean of Rutgers’ School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Laura Lawson, Assemblyman Joe Danielsen, Highland Park Councilman Phil George, and LRWP board members Johnny Quispe. They discussed their involvement with the LRWP and their hopes for the future.
No party is complete without cake! Photo credit: Danielle Bongiovanni.
Thanks to a matching gift from Quispe and his wife Paulina, the party raised over $400 for the LRWP.
Financial will is not the only thing that will get the LRWP through another 10 years. The LRWP presented attendees with a chart of goals for the near future regarding supplies, manpower, and sponsorships. Attendees signed their names next to items they could contribute, continuing the tradition of community support.
Wishlist items that are still needed include corporate partners for clean-ups, carpenter mentors for wood workers, and a canoe/kayak trailer. Those who are interested in helping the LRWP celebrate another decade are encouraged to contact Heather at hfenyk@lowerraritanwatershed.org.
The last pathogen monitoring session of September took place on Thursday, September 25th. Each week during the summer, from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. We collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory, and report the results to the public. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday, September 25th, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at four of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites would be indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Edison Boat Basin(Edison Township), and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick) and Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, pet waste, wildlife waste, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
A flock of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) inspect the river in Piscataway. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman.
Goldenrod (solidago) blooms along the river at the Edison Boat Basin. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman.
Signage at the Edison Boat Basin reminds boaters to slow down. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman.
A fisherman casts a line along the shore in South Amboy. In the distance, Perth Amboy is visible in the fog. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman.
Cats warily eye our water monitoring team in Perth Amboy. Photo credit: Sofi Grossman.
The last pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, August 28th. Each week during the summer, from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. We collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory, and report the results to the public. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday, August 28, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at two of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites would be indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and Rutgers Boat House (New Brunswick). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Edison Boat Basin(Edison Township), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, pet waste, wildlife waste, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
Two white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) sprint through Riverside Park. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
The range of the Chesapeake blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) extends far beyond the Chesapeake Bay. This deceased specimen was spotted floating in the Raritan River by Riverside Park, Piscataway. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Beautiful weather draws Perth Amboy residents to recreate along the shore of the Raritan River at 2nd Street Park. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
The LRWP appreciates all of the hard work Ashley has put in this summer, and we wish her well as she returns to Rutgers for the fall semester! Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
The first pathogen monitoring session of the month took place on Thursday, August 8th. Each week during the summer, from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. We collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory, and report the results to the public. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
This week, we were so pleased that Piscataway Council Members Laura Leibowitz and Sarah Rashid joined us for our monitoring session at Riverside Park. Ultimately, we’ll need the help of talented leaders like Laura and Sarah in order to find ways of solving the challenges presented by non-point pollutants in our community.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday, August 8, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at two of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites would be indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and Rutgers Boat House (New Brunswick). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Edison Boat Launch (Edison Township), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).
Sampling in New Brunswick was conducted 100m further downstream than usual, at the Boyd Park boat ramp instead of Rutgers Boat House. The water at the ramp is stagnant and immediately downstream of an outfall, and those factors may have contributed to the unusually high amount of Enterococci recorded at LR2 this week.
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
At Riverside Park, we were thrilled that Piscataway Council Members Laura Leibowitz and Sarah Rashid joined us for the water monitoring session! Special thanks to volunteers Ashley Fritz (in waders), Amy Hahn, Art, and Rose — and yes, that’s Jocelyn on the far right! She covered down on water monitoring duties so that Dr. John could lead a nature walk for our partners at CoLab. Thank you, everyone! Photo credit: — Heather Fenyk.
Ashley wears gloves while collecting a sample at Riverside Park to prevent contamination and keep herself safe. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Debris and oily film float atop stagnant water in New Brunswick. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Blockades at Rutgers Boat House forced volunteers to move the sampling location for New Brunswick this week. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Art’s volunteer spirit compels him to pick up litter in Edison. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Families recreate on the shore of the Raritan River in Perth Amboy and watch the boats. Photo credit: Rose Lawless.
Out of respect for the Fourth of July, this week’s Pathogen Monitoring session occurred on Tuesday, July 2nd instead of a Thursday. Each week during the summer, from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. We collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory, and report the results to the public. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Tuesday, July 2, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at two of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), Edison Boat Launch (Edison Township), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this Fourth of July weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
Goose droppings await the next rainstorm at the Rutgers Boat House in New Brunswick. The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership advocates for growing taller and more robust riparian plants to discourage goose activity. — Photo credit Ashley Fritz.
An oily sheen with metallic flakes and brown effluvia floats down Mill Brook near the Edison Boat Basin. — Photo credit J.M. Meyer.
A fisherman’s catch at Edison Boat Basin includes a ray-finned fish and blue crabs. — Photo credit Nilesh Bhat.
Nilesh, Ashley, and Vani run the post-testing calibration on the YSI sonde. The YSI sonde is the instrument we use to measure salinity, acidity, oxygen saturation, and other variables. — Photo credit J.M. Meyer.
Summer is the peak season for water-based recreation and relaxation. Unfortunately, it is also the peak season for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Understanding and being able to recognize this natural phenomena is important to keeping you, your pets, and your local watersheds safe.
HABs occur when excess amounts of phosphorus enter a water body, usually by stormwater runoff carrying fertilizers and animal waste, or by faulty septic and sewer systems. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, take advantage of the extra nutrients and their populations explode in number.
In 2023, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recorded HABs at 49 water bodies. Five of the six counties within the Raritan River Basin experienced HABs: Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset Counties.
HABs are associated with fish kills, massive die-offs of aquatic life due to low oxygen levels in the water or due to cyanotoxins released by cyanobacteria. Cyanotoxins can harm humans and pets, and are especially dangerous to children. Health effects in humans include abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and muscle weakness. If you experience any of these or symptoms resembling an allergic reaction or the flu and believe you may have been exposed to a HAB, seek medical care. Depending on the length and severity of exposure, more serious health complications may include liver and kidney damage, respiratory paralysis, and death.
Protect yourself by staying up to date with advisories issued by the NJDEP. Monitoring occurs via daily flight reports and by local health authorities sampling suspected sites of HABs for laboratory analysis. This data can be interpreted in conjunction with reports from the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership’s Pathogen Monitoring Program, conducted in partnership with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County and the Interstate Environmental Commission.
Each week, LRWP’s volunteers sample non-bathing beaches along the Raritan River to test for presence of fecal matter and disease causing bacterium, and report findings within 24 hours on the LRWP website, via the Rutgers Raritan River Hydrologic Observatory, and via the regional Community Water Quality Testing program coordinated by the Billion Oyster Project. This data is also uploaded to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s STORET (STOrage and RETrieval) and WQX (Water Quality Exchange) systems used for managing and sharing water quality monitoring data.
Surveillance flight data is color-coded according to µg/L of chlorophyll observed. Higher chlorophyll levels may indicate a HAB and warrant caution. On June 24, 2025 low chlorophyll levels were observed along parts of the Raritan River. Graphic by NJDEP.
There are four Recreational Guidance Advisory Levels depending on the amount of cytotoxins identified in the lab reports. If in doubt about what activities are safe, refrain from drinking, swimming, boating, fishing, or consuming fish products sourced from the water body in question.
Volunteer reporting saves lives! To identify HABs, the NJDEP recommends looking for “a layer of bright bluish‐green or white paint on the water surface. Other evidence of a potential cyanobacterial HAB could be discolored or pea‐green colored water, parallel streaks, or green dots/globs in the water.” If you believe you have spotted one, help keep others safe by reporting it to the NJDEP using their online form.
Water at the site of a HAB may be tinted blue-green, earning cyanobacteria the name “blue-green algae.” Photo by NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
The diverse appearances of HABs include cyanobacteria forming globs in the water. Photo by National Park Service.
You can reduce HABs through choices made away from the water, as well. The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership has tips for reducing fertilizer usage and advocating for proper stormwater management. The NJDEP recommends growing native plants to create a riparian buffer can decrease the amount of rain that flows off your property, picking up pollutants before it enters your waterfront. Minimizing opportunities for stormwater runoff to carry pet waste and fertilizers into waterways minimizes the chance of a HAB occurring.
Summer is the season for swimming, not sickness. Be observant, educate others, and stay safe as you recreate!
HABs are not limited to one season or one type of water body. Whenever you recreating at the beach, a lake, or a river, be mindful of signs like this. Graphic by the NJDEP.
June flew by, and the last Pathogen Monitoring session of the month occured on Thursday, the 26th. Every Thursday during the summer, from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. We collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory, and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday, June 26, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at 3 of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Edison Boat Basin (Edison), and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
The sonde nearly disappears below the water’s surface due to low clarity at Edison Boat Basin. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
A Heineken bottle floats amidst debris in the water near the Rutgers Boat House. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Ashley keeps a firm grip on the sonde as she leans over the edge of the dock ramp at Riverside Park. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
Aquatic plants like algae thrive in the nutrient-rich waters by Riverside Park. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
American herring gulls (Larus smithsonianus) gather by the edge of the dock at Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park. Photo credit: Ashley Fritz.
Out of respect for Juneteenth, the fifth Pathogen Monitoring session occured on Tuesday, June 17 instead of a Thursday. Each week during the summer, from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. We collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory, and report the results to the public. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at two of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy), Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), and Edison Boat Launch (Edison Township).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
Ashley and John inspect the water from the boat dock at Riverside Park. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
According to a member of the public who spoke with LRWP volunteers, a hazmat team recently investigated a diesel fuel spill in Edison’s Mill Brook. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
A family of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) relax at Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park. Photo credit: Art Allgauer.
Sofi studies the pebbles and shells that washed up on South Amboy’s shoreline. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
A stray cat hides in the grass along the fence bordering Raritan Bay Waterfront Park. Photo credt: J.M. Meyer.
Thursday, June 12th marked the fourth week of Pathogen Monitoring and one week since a pile of feces, sanitary products, and sediment was discovered a few hundred feet from the Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School’s playground. Every Thursday during the summer, from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. We collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory, and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday June 12, 2025 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at three of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Edison Boat Launch (Edison Township), and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Raritan Bay Waterfront Park (South Amboy), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria in recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
A dead fish, likely a mullet (Mugilidae), floats on the water at Rutgers Boathouse. Photo credit: Frank Dahl.
Slow-moving Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus), like this one spotted in South Amboy, provide stable surfaces for barnacles to grow on. Photo credit: Frank Dahl.
Seagulls admire the view in Sayreville. Photo credit: Ashley Fritz.
Frank explains his work as a LRWP volunteer to a bather in Perth Amboy. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
The team returned to the pile of waste in Perth Amboy and found most of the feces had been removed. Sanitary products and sediment remain. Continue to check our website for updates on the situation. Photo credit: J.M. Meyer.
By Danielle Bongiovanni, LRWP 2025 Science Communication Intern
On Saturday, May 10, dozens of volunteers worked together to fill nearly 100 garbage bags with litter removed from the Green Brook. The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership (LRWP) led the fifth annual multi-site clean-up alongside the Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors (NJWA), the Union & Somerset County Clean Communities Programs, the Mayor’s Alliance for a Cleaner Green Brook Waterway, and the Central Jersey Stream Team. The sites stretched across eight participating municipalities: Dunellen, Green Brook, Middlesex Township, Plainfield, South Plainfield, Watchung, Scotch Plains, and Bound Brook.
Volunteers originated from beyond those municipalities’ borders, inspired by how all watersheds are connected and impact each other. Piscataway resident David Dunham has participated in clean-ups with his son for nearly a decade, several of which focused on the Green Brook. Repeat visits have yielded visible progress.
“In general, [the Green Brook] was in much better shape than some of the other times we’ve been over here. It’s nice to come back to the same spot and be able to compare,” Dunham said. “It’s a good sign, we’re heading in the right direction.”
Still, volunteers picked up plenty of trash. Dunham recounted collecting “small bottles, cans, wrappers that had come off of some bottle at some point. Nothing too out of the ordinary until we got to the very end, and then we found a kitchen sink.”
Other notable items collected throughout the day included tires, stereo equipment, mattresses, and a wheelbarrow. The majority of trash present consisted of everyday litter such as plastic bottles, beer cans, and broken glass — little items discarded without thought for how quickly they pile up.
Several tires were found and removed during the clean-up. Photo by Danielle Bongiovanni
Volunteers found a variety of macroinvertebrates amidst the trash, and the seven Watershed Ambassadors in attendance eagerly provided identification. At McCoy Park in Dunellen, Kaitlyn Pinto and Emilie Wigchers, who normally cover Watershed Management Areas #7 (Arthur Kill) and #4 (Lower Passaic, Saddle) respectively, pointed out clam shells, worms, snail eggs, and midge fly larvae.
The Green Brook’s ecosystem is dominated by pollution-tolerant organisms. Pinto and Wigchers note their presence to determine the brook could be healthier. Watershed Ambassadors promote environmental stewardship with the hope of making areas like the Green Brook suitable for pollution-sensitive macroinvertebrates like gilled snails or mayflies.
Watershed Ambassadors Kaitlin Pinto (middle) and Emilie Wigchers (right) identified macroinvertebrates living on a lawn chair removed from the Green Brook. Photo by Danielle Bongiovanni
“This is a great partnership between Watershed Ambassadors and LRWP, and it’s not just the clean-up. They do a bunch of other stuff too, and we do fun stuff like the litter trap monitoring and the eel monitoring and all these cool things. It all ties into that theme of protecting water quality in the state, so it’s a really good connection to have,” Pinto said.
The theme of collaboration in pursuit of healthier watersheds was strong, with members of organizations with similar missions coming out to support the LRWP. Mark Lesko, founder of the Highland Park Ecology and Environmental Group (HPEEG), made time to participate despite running clean-ups for the HPEEG on the first and third Saturdays of each month.
Lesko reflected on the impromptu clean-up that cemented his dedication to environmental stewardship. “My first one was more than a decade ago. My daughter and I were in Johnson park looking for salamanders in a stream, and she said, ‘Daddy, look at all the trash…’ So we started cleaning it and all these kids that were at picnics came down and started cleaning it with us, and that day, I started my group,” he said.
The Green Brook clean-up ran from 9:30am – 12:00pm and was followed by a public demonstration of the Bandalong Bandit Litter Trap and the final eel monitoring session of the migratory season. Dunellen Mayor Jason F. Cilento, who participated in the clean-up, thanked the Dunellen Department of Public Works for routinely emptying the litter trap.
Dunellen Department of Public Works employees waded into the Green Brook to empty the Bandit Litter Trap. Photo by Danielle Bongiovanni
Like Dunham, Cilento noted how less trash is collected at each clean-up, indicating a cultural shift away from littering and toward respecting natural spaces. Cilento praised the other participating municipalities and organizations for their roles in making visible progress protecting a watershed dear to his childhood. “I grew up playing in these woods and this water and everything,” he said.
Although no glass eels or elvers were observed at the monitoring session, the crowd witnessed a tessellated darter and a variety of macroinvertebrates emerge from the eel mop. Volunteers went home tired and in need of showers, but satisfied from a day of good hard work.
