By Danielle Bongiovanni

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.

“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.

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.