Dela-where was PennFuture?

Q: What spans 5 states, provides drinking water to 16 million people, and generates approximately $25 billion annually in economic activity as well as $21 billion in ecosystem goods and service?

A: The Delaware River Watershed!

Last week, nearly 300 water advocates descended on the University of Delaware's Newark Campus for the third annual Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed Forum. The two-day forum provided terrific opportunities for updates on the Delaware River Watershed, information and best practice sharing, and networking. The forum's speakers all served to advance one central purpose - protect and restore the Delaware River Watershed.

Attendees heard from some impressive keynote speakers, including:

• Gov. Jack Markell, D-Delaware
• U.S. Congressman John Carney, D-Delaware
• Secretary David Small, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Control
• Executive Director Laura Sparks of the William Penn Foundation
• EPA Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin, who was introduced by PennFuture's President and CEO, Larry Schweiger!

PennFuture President and CEO, Larry Schweiger

Day 1 of the forum was covered by Newsworks and WXDE 105.9. 

PennFuture is a founding steering committee member of the Coalition. We were very excited to be a part of the planning committee as well as contributors to a number of sessions. 

PennFuture's Mike Helbing ran a workshop on opportunities for public participation in the MS4 stormwater permitting process. 

PennFuture's Katie Bartolotta moderated a panel that discussed the opportunities for additional economic development in the watershed and its potential impacts on water quality and public. 

If you missed this year's forum, don't fret. Your organization can join the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed and stay up to date on events like these as they arise. Contact bartolotta@pennfuture.org to learn more about joining the the dozens of watershed associations, land conservancies, recreation and outdoor interests, nature centers, and advocacy groups that comprise the coalition. 

Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.

Be a part of restoring the Delaware River basin

Fall foliage along the great Lehigh River in eastern Pennsylvania is a sight to see. This month, combine great views while you attend a conference for broad collaboration on the restoration and protection of the Delaware River Basin at the 2nd annual Delaware River Watershed Forum in Bethlehem on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21-22.

We've written about the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) in this blog before (organizations are welcome to apply to join). Join PennFuture and groups from across the watershed at the historic Hotel Bethlehem to hear success stories about engaging communities, enhancing the quality of life, restoring habitat, mitigating flooding, and creating jobs.

Sessions will include:

• Best practices for restoration, education, and protection
• Building new constituencies from recreation
• Partnerships to create source-to-sea watershed conservation

Great field trips featured:

• Visit the site of a flood-driven dam removal that benefits ecosystem restoration
• Get a behind-the-scenes tour of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
• Explore native woods restoration and learn the history of the Delaware & Raritan Canal

For more information or to register online:
http://bit.ly/DelawareWatershedForum or contact Kim Beidler, kim.beidler@njaudubon.org, (609) 392-1182. Limited scholarships available!

The Coalition's mission is to unite organizations and enhance their capacity to advocate for protecting and restoring the Delaware River Basin. PennFuture is a steering committee member of the CDRW as part of its work on various watersheds and water quality issues. Psst: we'll be among the panelists at the Forum, too!
 
Kate Gibbons is PennFuture's northeast Pennsylvania outreach coordinator and is based in Wilkes-Barre.