VOL. 63, NO. 2 Summer 2016 A publication of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, central New Jersey’s first environmental group.

Your water. Your environment. Your voice.

Inside 2... Turning Point on Natural Gas Pipelines? 7... Calendar of Events 11... Magic in the Air Watershed Launches TapWatch 14... lint, Michigan. Hoosick Falls, New York. Jackson, many of our older pipes are made of Ask a Member

F­M ississippi. Fort Worth, Texas. Newark, New Jersey. lead or were installed using lead solder. The list goes on and on. What do the residents of these Until there are enough resources to replace towns have in common? Each has experienced the panic every line of old plumbing in the country, we and outrage that comes with drinking tainted water. must continue to be vigilant to protect ourselves against lead poisoning and other water-borne contaminants. The American public was provided with a reasonable ­expectation that they receive clean drinking water through To better protect residents of central New Jersey, we are the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974. But offering a brand new member benefit—TapWatch, a drinking since then, one thing has become apparent—we really water testing program. Whether your water comes from don’t know if our water is safe unless we test it. a well in your back yard or is delivered to you from your town or a private water company, our new service will help Unfortunately, residents of some towns have continued you understand what’s in your water. Watershed members drinking their water without knowing it was contaminated. will receive this service at a reduced price, however all are Sometimes for years. In fact, flyers were distributed to Flint invited to participate. residents that convinced them the water was safe to drink—while at the same time, clean bottled The program offers an array of testing options, including water was provided to their municipal and state lead, arsenic, E. coli and nitrates. Other tests will employees, indicating that officials were aware be offered at an additional cost, including iron, of the situation long before they let on. manganese, copper, hardness, volatile organic compounds, and gross alpha radiation. Most of these instances have not ­occurred under such sinister circumstances. The fact is that Continued on page 13 Conservation Advocacy Science Education FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Turning Point on Natural Gas Pipelines?

ou’d be excused for believing that natural gas is a Second, there are growing concerns about the impact of Y “clean” fuel. After all, the oil and gas industry has spent constructing natural gas pipelines on our rivers, streams hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years on television and drinking water. Contrary to a widely held but erroneous commercials in an attempt to make you believe so. belief that the Federal Energy Regulatory ­Commission (FERC) has the exclusive jurisdiction to approve or deny The New York Times reported that in 2012 alone, more the construction of interstate gas pipelines, federal law than $150 million was spent on TV advertising promoting ­acknowledges the states’ vital role in protecting ­water fossil fuels, including the American Petroleum Institute’s quality within its borders from potential damage by “Vote4Energy” ads. ­pipelines. For example, before new pipeline construction can proceed, such a proposal must receive a “Water Quality The rhetoric in some of these ads is so hyped that you Certification” indicating that it complies will all applicable might be persuaded that natural gas is an elixir for all of federal and state water laws. society’s ills. (I’m reminded of the old Saturday Night Live skit in which Chevy Chase raves about a make believe On Earth Day, the New York Department of Environmental product called New Shimmer that “It’s a floor wax and Conservation rejected an application for a Water Quality a desert topping!”) Certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline. Without this certification, the Constitution Pipeline cannot be built. But momentum may be building against natural gas and proposals to construct new pipelines to transport the fuel. The Watershed opposes the PennEast Pipeline proposed in In addition to well-publicized fears about the “fracking” our region in large part because of the pipeline company’s process used to produce gas from shale, other concerns proposal to “trench” through dozens of ecologically significant are also growing. streams that are tributaries to the Delaware River and the Stony Brook. We hope that, after New York’s actions, the First, there are mounting objections about natural gas’ New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will ­effect on climate change. Yes, the combustion of natural gas acknowledge that they have the authority and obligation to generate electricity releases less carbon dioxide (CO2) to block the PennEast Pipeline if it harms the state’s water than burning coal. But the production, transportation and quality, which we are convinced it would. use of natural gas releases considerable amounts of carbon into the atmosphere in the form of methane, which leaks So no. Natural gas is not really clean. It’s a fossil fuel that from valves and pipes throughout the process. contributes to climate change. And pipelines built to transport natural gas do real damage to our water. The fact Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a is that there are smarter, cleaner solutions to our energy powerful greenhouse gas. In fact, it is more than 100 needs, like solar, wind and energy conservation. Which times more potent at trapping heat than CO2. Methane is why the Watershed continues to oppose the proposed degrades faster in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, but PennEast Pipeline. as a greenhouse gas, methane still has an impact that is 84 times more potent than CO2 after 20 years and 28 times more potent after 100 years. So this “clean” fossil fuel has a considerable impact on the climate.

2 Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org HONORING ACHIEVEMENT Annual Meeting ur 2016 Annual Meeting once again recognized O and rewarded environmental accomplishments of area leaders. We also welcomed new board members, and Executive Director Jim Waltman presents the Environmental thanked our departing trustees. Stewardship Award to John Riggs of Monroe Township and the Watershed Sustainability Award to Norm Torkelson. This year’s meeting marked the departure of three trustees from the board including Katy Kinsolving, Annarie Lyles, and Scot Pannepacker. We were fortunate to induct several new trustees, Sandra Cespedes Allen, Bob Baldwin, and Pernilla Burke, of Princeton, Diane Ciccone of Princeton Junction, Patty Cronheim of Pennington, Robert Harris, Ph.D., from Hopewell Township, and Mark Nurse from Monmouth Junction.

Education Director Jeff Hoagland (left) stands with Maureen Quinn and a few of her students after presenting the Richard Rotter Award for Excellence in Environmental Education.

green technology and energy conservation measures. His work to adopt and advocate for clean energy infrastructure in his district has left a long-term plan for efficiency in our schools that will benefit taxpayers, students, and the Advocacy staff, Kate Hutelmyer, Mike Pisauro, environment for years to come. and Ed DiFiglia welcome Kyle Van Arsdale and advisory board member, Betty Wold Johnson to the annual meeting. John Riggs was recognized for his work in Monroe ­Township with an Environmental Stewardship Award. ­ He has served as Open Space Coordinator, Conservation Officer, Environmental Protection Manager, and ­Chairman of the Environmental Commission in Monroe ­Township. John has worked tirelessly to acquire open space and­ ­protect Monroe’s water and environment.

This year’s Richard Rotter Award for Excellence in Environ­ mental Education was presented to Maureen Quinn for her 23 years leading one-to-one mentor programs serving under- represented students in Trenton. Several of her students took Watershed members and staff applaud the induction of time to speak at the meeting on the mentor program and new trustees. their positive experiences with Watershed Nature Camp.

Among those recognized, Norm Torkelson received the Three Watershed staff members were also recognized for Watershed Sustainability Award for his sixteen years as ten years of service, including Assistant Education Director director of facilities in the Hopewell Valley Regional School Maryann Polefka, Camp Director Tammy Love, and Senior District where he lead the adoption of award-winning Naturalist Allison Jackson.

Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.orgSummer 2016 3 www.thewatershed.org 3 ADVOCACY UPDATE A Decade of Cleaning Our Waterways orty six years ago, the Nation had an awakening. The Hopewell, Lawrence, Millstone, Monroe, Montgomery, F tangible impact of that awakening is Earth Day. A day Plainsboro, Princeton, and West Windsor. we celebrate this planet and all of the life on it. A day we take stock of its conditions and in some small and some This year we collaborated with Raritan River Week, a large ways take steps to improve the health of the planet. network of over 130 organizations and businesses with the common goal of restoring the Raritan River, its tributaries and its estuary for current and future generations. Bloomberg

Federica and Francesca Iovine pose with Nicole Stevens (center) at Princeton’s cleanup. Nick Ho tallies up trash and recycling totals at Colonial Lake Park. This Earth Day, while we shared in the celebration of New York’s successes against the proposed Constitution has continued to make this event possible, contributing Pipeline (see Jim Waltman’s column on p.2), Watershed both financial and volunteer support along with American staff and volunteers were out in force, picking up trash and Rivers and New Jersey Clean Communities. recycling from our waterways. 2016 marks the 10th year of our Stream Cleanups, shouldered by 4,000 selfless Our 265 square mile watershed has plenty of spring cleaning volunteers since 2007. left to do. Remember to make every day Earth Day and do your part to help make our water clean, safe and healthy. The outpouring of support to clean up waste over the years has resulted in 39 tons of removed debris in 12 townships including Cranbury, East Windsor, Franklin, Hightstown,

Above: Emilyn Fox picks up trash along Colonial Lake in Lawrence Township. Aesha, Mackenzie, and Bikyee filled five bags of recycling in West Windsor. Left: Luke Wolff of Hopewell Township spent some time cleaning with his son Zach.

4 Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org STREAMWATCH A Decade of Cleaning Our Waterways Focus on Cranbury Brook ranbury Brook, believed to be named for the C­cranberry bogs it may have once fed, flows through portions of six towns. Primarily in Monroe and Cranbury, the Cranbury Brook watershed also lies in Manalapan, Millstone, South Brunswick, and Plainsboro before emptying into the Millstone River.

Back in 2005, the Watershed Association assessed the ­quality of the Cranbury Brook subwatershed. The ­Characterization and Assessment Report produced for the Cranbury Brook subwatershed stated that “there has been a gain in urban areas and a loss of primarily quality monitoring program, is adding a new monitoring ­agricultural land.” Over the last decade, this pattern of site on Cedar Brook so we can track how development is increasing ­development has not changed. affecting water quality in this area.

In 1995... In 2012... Acknowledgements Many thanks to StreamWatch volunteers Bob Rogers, Urban Area 32.3% 47.4% Ken and Jackie Johnson, Diane Lincoln, Robert Spero, Impervious Cover 11.9% 20.3% Edward and Owen Hynes, Lavinia Kumar, and Pam Copeland for monitoring Cranbury Brook and its tributaries. Land use, and particularly impervious cover, has a direct impact on the quality of our streams, lakes, and rivers. The StreamWatch program is funded by Janssen Development along the Cedar Brook, in the Cranbury Brook Pharmaceuticals Inc, RBC Blue Water Project, Colgate subwatershed, seems to be growing at a faster pace than Palmolive Company, Dodge Foundation, and the New other areas in this watershed. Our Watershed Association Jersey Water Supply Authority. and the NJDEP have not established regular monitoring sites in this area—but going forward, that will change. StreamWatch, the Watershed Association’s volunteer water Scorecard

Dissolved oxygen levels dropped below the standard Nitrogen......  4 mg/L in just 3% of samples, leaving it with a good Phosphorus......  rating. pH and nitrate levels were also good, however Dissolved Oxygen......  phosphate exceeded the 0.1 mg/L standard over 33% of the time. E. coli monitoring over the summer pH......  of 2014 showed low levels in the Cedar Brook region, Aquatic Life......  but much higher numbers of pathogenic colonies in Recreation (E. coli)......  the upper portion of Cranbury Brook (geometric mean was 351 colonies/100 mL—more than twice the 126 Impervious Cover......  colony standard). Macroinvertebrates are collected in the lower portion of Cranbury Brook. Populations there Overall Score......  show an increase in the number of tolerant species, with a CPMI rating of 8, marking aquatic life as Rankings “fairly poor.” =Good =Fairly Good =Fairly Poor =Poor

Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org 5 S.T.E.M. PROGRAM GROWS Watershed Academy Digs In e are proud to expand our innovative summer W ­Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.) program for high school students entering grades 10–12. These courses not only prepare students for college, but give them unparalleled experience in rapidly growing environmental fields.

Forest Sustainability—June 27–July 1 Forestry experts will engage and challenge students, ­examining the instrumental value of forests, including ­watershed protection and carbon sequestration, the threat of invasive species, and the future ecology of this ecosystem.

Green Architecture—July 11–July 15 Students will take on STEM skills while calculating energy use, daylighting, and carbon neutrality. The course will be taught by professional architects and will deploy 3D modeling software.

Stormwater—July 25–July 29 Utilizing the Watershed Center as a teaching platform, ­students will learn basic principles of civil and environmental engineering to investigate the causes and problems ­associated with stormwater runoff while measuring impacts facing our water.

Registration is open for these courses online at www.thewatershed.org/academy with multi-week and sibling discounts available.

Help Us Build Our Boardwalk We are delighted to share that we have begun working on our new boardwalk and we could use your help. We welcome donations in both time and money to make this project a reality. It will be a half mile ADA (American’s With Disabilities Act) accessible boardwalk trail. This project will transform our trail system and provide greater access for all future visitors to the Watershed. Please consider being a part of this very special project. To make a donation call Jenny Kershner at 609-737-3735 ext. 36 or email her at [email protected]. To volunteer, contact Pam Newitt, volunteer coordinator or call 609-737-3735 ext. 51. We appreciate any and all contributions to this worthwhile endeavor.

6 Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org Summer 2016 Calendar

Registration is required for all ­programs, Fee code: M=Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Watershed Academy Digs In unless stated otherwise. Association Member, NM=Non-member Visit www.thewatershed.org for more detailed informa- Refund Policy: A full refund will be made if notice tion about all programs. Registration for Adult Education­ of cancellation is received at least 48 hours before a series, Watershed Nature Camp and ­Watershed Academy program. Call 609-737-7592 to cancel. are exclusively online. No refunds or credits will be given after that time. Unless stated otherwise, all programs All returned checks incur a bank fee. meet at the Watershed Center, Watershed membership is not refundable. Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve, Event co-sponsors are indicated by * 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. Arts Council of Princeton, D&R Greenway Land Trust, Payment methods: Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance, Cash, Check, VISA, MasterCard or Discover National Wildlife Federation, Washington Crossing Audubon Society

Family and Adult Programs June 18 Register by calling 609-737-7592 Hopewell Community Day Festival/ or [email protected] Block Party* June 5 Saturday, 4:00–8:00PM, Adults and Families, Free First Sunday Film Series Look for the SBMWA Staff as you enjoy a fun afternoon with your friends and neighbors to celebrate Hopewell Sunday, 1:00PM, Families, Free Borough’s 125th anniversary. Held at St. Michael’s Preserve The Messenger (2015)—an artful investigation into the in Hopewell, the festival will include music, food, games, causes of songbird mass depletion and the compassionate guided walks and a German-style beer garden. people who are working to turn the tide. The film takes viewers on a visually stunning journey revealing how the June 27 problems facing birds also pose daunting implications for Lunch & Learn our planet and ourselves. (see p.13) Monday, 11:30AM–12:30PM, Families (children 5–10yo), June 11 $5 per child Picnic at the Pond* Pack a picnic lunch and head over to the Watershed Center for a lesson on a seasonal topic with Senior Naturalist Saturday, 3:00–4:30PM, Families, Free Allison Jackson. We always head outside for a hands-on Join the SBMWA Teacher-Naturalists and participate in the exploration, so dress appropriately and bring a water annual Hopewell Valley Come Outside and Play weekend. bottle. Adults must stay with children. Drop-ins welcome. Meet us at Wargo Pond for a hike, roasted hotdogs and s’mores around a campfire! It’s a great way to celebrate the June 25–26 approach of summer. Registration required. Great American Campout on the Reserve* June 18 Saturday, 4:00PM–Sunday, 10:00AM, Families, Fee per family: $50M/$60NM The Secret Lives of Birds* Pitch a tent and campout for wildlife! The Great American Saturday, 8:30–10:30AM, Families (6yo+), Free Campout celebrates camping as a terrific way to connect Perfect for seasoned bird watchers and newcomers alike, people with nature and wildlife. Experienced SBMWA this walk with Naturalist Tyler Christensen offers an up Teacher-Naturalists and camping staff will be present to close and personal look at birds. Watch foraging behavior, help you enjoy the wild outdoors over the weekend in observe family life, and learn about mist-netting and bird so many ways. Hiking, scavenger hunts, cooking over a banding techniques. Binoculars will be available for use in campfire, s’mores and storytelling—we’ve got something this program. Registration required. planned for everyone! Not an experienced camping family? No problem…spread your sleeping bags out on the floor of the Watershed Center and sleep near our critters! Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org 7

Fee includes activities, snacks and Sunday breakfast. July 3 Families provide their own Saturday dinner—communal First Sunday Film Series cooking fire and/or grill will be available. Registration and Sunday, 1:00PM, Families, Free prepayment required. Return of the River (2014)—a visually captivating June 29 documentary film about dam removal along the Elwha Exploring the Night: Fireflies River. (see p.13) Wednesday, 8:00PM, Adults and Families (children 6yo+); July 6 Fee per person: $8M/$12NM Exploring Stony Brook at Enjoy “nature’s fireworks” with Jeff Hoagland on the Greenway Meadows* Watershed Reserve and learn how to communicate with Wednesday, 5:30–8:30PM, Families, $5 per person the fireflies! Discover the secret lives of the lightning bug, Join Jeff Hoagland for a family picnic and stream exploration from glowworm to adult, and meet a variety of species, of the Stony Brook on the property of D&R Greenway identifying them by their different flash patterns. Land Trust. Bring your picnic dinner to enjoy on the Registration required. terrace (drinks and dessert provided) and then join Jeff for an exploration of the brook! Bring shoes for walking in shallow water. This program does not meet on the Watershed Reserve. RSVP by calling 609-924-4646 or [email protected].

Join us for any of these events to enjoy the Kate Gorrie house, we will head into the fields to try to catch butterflies Butterfly House all summer long! in our nets. Then return for a tea party of lemonade, sugar cookies and a story under our tent! Adults must stay with June 25 children. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Summer Solstice Open House/Butterfly House Opening August 13 Saturday, 10:00AM–1:00PM, Adults and Families, Free Butterfly Festival—Celebrating Celebrate the start of summer on the Reserve with the the Swallowtail! opening of the Butterfly House for the season, hikes Saturday, 10:00AM–4:00PM, Adults and Families, and informal tours of the Watershed Center. The Nature $25 per carload Shop is also offering 20% off your purchases this day! The Black Swallowtail was recently designated the official Registration not required. butterfly of New Jersey! This year’s festival features tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House, nature hikes on the Butterfly House Tours Reserve, live music, local food and artisans, an insect zoo, July 11, 20 and 25; August 1, 8 and 16 cool science enviro-zones, and a butterfly & bug parade 11:00AM–12:00PM, Adults and Families, $5 per person for children. No pets or alcoholic beverages. Join one of our Teacher-Naturalists for a guided tour of Private Butterfly House Tour the butterfly house. Bring your camera and a water bottle. The Watershed Center and butterfly house are handicap- Are you looking for a unique way to celebrate a birthday, accessible. If time allows, we will head into the fields to anniversary, graduation or other momentous occasion? try our hand at catching butterflies with nets. Registration Book a private tour of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House suggested, drop-ins welcome. with one of our knowledgeable Teacher-Naturalists. The Kate Gorrie Butterfly House and Watershed Butterfly Tea Parties Center are handicap-accessible. Call 609-737-7592 or email [email protected] for information, July 22 (Friday), August 6 (Saturday), pricing and availability. August 17 (Wednesday) 10:30AM–12:00PM, Families (children 3–10), Fee per child: $10M/$15NM Join the Teacher-Naturalists for a lesson about native butterflies and their life cycles. After a tour of the butterfly

8 Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org July 9 July 23 Great Stream Exploration: Kunkel Park* Great Stream Exploration: Bessie Grover Saturday, 10:30AM–12:00PM, Adults and Families, Free Memorial Park* Join us at Kunkel Park in Pennington (off of King George Saturday, 10:30AM–12:00PM, Adults and Families, Free Road) for an exploration of life in and around the Stony Join us at Bessie Grover Memorial Park in Montgomery Brook. Expect to meet a variety of creatures including for an exploration of life in and around Rock Brook. salamanders, frogs and aquatic insects. Wear old sneakers Expect to meet a variety of creatures including salamanders, for wading and bring a water bottle. We’ll bring the nets! frogs and aquatic insects. Wear old sneakers for Registration required. wading and bring a water bottle. We’ll bring the nets! Registration required. July 9 Nocturnal Geocache Adventure July 24 Saturday, 8:00–10:30PM; Adults only, Suggested donation Paint Out Princeton!* per person: $10 Sunday, 10:00AM–3:00PM, Adults, FREE Enjoy the fun of geocaching under the stars! Use your Join instructors from the Arts Council of Princeton and GPS and flashlight to navigate through the night to our fellow water color artists for ‘art al fresco’ on the Watershed rendezvous around a fire for some summer refreshments. Reserve. Explore the changing effects of natural light Learn more and RSVP at www.geocaching.com, or call as it bathes the grounds throughout the day. Email 609-737-7592. No pets or alcoholic beverages, adults only. [email protected] no later than July 20 to pre-register (required). Rain date is Sunday, July 31. July 11 Lunch & Learn July 30 Monday, 11:30AM–12:30PM, Families (children 5–10yo), Fairy Festival $5 per child Saturday, 10:30AM–1:30PM, Families, $10 per person See description of June 27. (under 3 years old free) Come to the Fairy Festival on the Watershed Reserve! July 13 Celebrate with the Rainbow Fairies, Woodland Fairies Exploring the Night: Bat Watch and Forest Elves…join them in a dance around the Wednesday, 8:00PM; Adults and Families (children 5yo+); maypole, create magical crafts, construct villages along Fee per person: $5M/$8NM the Fairy Trail and play in the stream with the Water Join nocturnal naturalist Jeff Hoagland for an evening Sprites! Fairy finery and gnome haberdashery is strongly investigation of the world of bats, including a bat count of encouraged. Registration requested but not required. one of the colonies that resides on the Watershed Reserve. Registration requested.

July 16 Shibori Dyeing Workshop* Saturday, 10:00AM–4:30PM, 15yo–Adult, $105M/$130NM July 30 A full-day workshop at the Watershed Center mastering Moth Mania scarf dyeing, Japanese patterning (shibori), discharge, Saturday, 8:30PM, Adults and Families (children 6yo+); turmeric dyeing and surface design, with master fiber Fee per person: $10 M/$15NM artist Lian Sawires. No prior experience needed. Bring Begin the evening by learning the differences between lunch and refillable water bottle. $35.00 material fee butterflies and moths, then venture into the night to payable directly to the instructor. Registration is |‘meet the moths’. Under the enthusiastic guidance of exclusively through the Arts Council of Princeton, several moth specialists, we will utilize some ‘moth-ing’ www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. equipment and techniques to discover a fascinating and colorful world hidden by night. Bring a flashlight. Registration required.

Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org 9

August 6 August 7 Garden-inspired Books* First Sunday Film Series Saturday, 9:30AM–4:00PM, 15yo–Adult, Fee: Sunday, 1:00PM, Families, Free $75M/$100NM Racing Extinction (2015)—a documentary that follows Learn to create pop-ups, tip-ins and sculptural inclusions undercover activists trying to stave off a man-made mass to transform a blank book (supplied by Arts Council of extinction. (see p.13) Princeton instructor) into a unique journal or art object. Embellish your own altered book using botanicals gathered August 8 during a brief Naturalist-guided hike on the Reserve. Bring Lunch & Learn an Xacto knife and utility knife/box cutter, a metal ruler, Monday, 11:30AM–12:30PM, Families (children 5–10yo), pencil, erasers and sharpener and any dimensional objects $5 per child (such as earrings, keys, knick-knacks, ticket stubs, stamps, See description of June 27. decorative beads). Additional materials fee of $25 fee payable directly to instructor on day of workshop. Participants should bring a bag lunch, refillable water bottle and snack. Register directly at www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Children’s Programs Summer Preschool Nature Classes Register by calling 609-737-7592 or Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00–11:30AM each day; [email protected] Weekly topics, choose one day. Class fee per child: $10M/$15NM. Register and pre-pay for June 3 5 classes, receive the 6th class free. BSA ‘Reptiles & Amphibians’ Children 3–5 years old learn about nature while exploring Merit Badge Workshop the out-of-doors with Senior Naturalist Allison Jackson Friday, 7:00–9:30PM, Boy Scouts 11–17yo, $30 per scout and Teacher-Naturalist Alison Novobilsky. Each class Join Merit Badge Counselor Jeff Hoagland on a night-time includes outdoor exploration, stories and simple crafts. A workshop to earn the Reptiles & Amphibians merit badge. parent must stay with any child younger than 4. Registration We will begin at the Watershed Center and hike to Wargo required—sign up for individual classes or save when you Pond (approximately one mile). Pick up will be at the register and pay for entire 6-class series! Pond House (directions sent with confirmation). Bring a flashlight and wear boots for muddy walking conditions— July 5 & 7—Storytime Forest guaranteed! Registration and prepayment required. July 12 & 14—Lenape for Little Ones July 19 & 21—Butterfly Magic June 29–August 10 Habitat Hunters July 26 & 28—Wildflower Sensations Wednesdays, 10:00AM–12:00PM, children 7–10yo; August 2 & 4—Water Olympics Class fee: $12M/$18NM; Series Fee: $30M/$45NM August 9 & 11—Come Fly with Me Explore unique habitats all around the Watershed Reserve with Teacher-Naturalist Vicky Allen! Dress for summery June 29, July 20 and August 10 weather and outdoor adventure. Wear a hat and bring a Summer Tiny Tot Walks refillable water bottle. Register for individual classes or Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30AM, children 18–36 months, save when you register and pay for an entire 3-class series! Class fee per child: $7M/$10NM Here comes summer and let’s head outside with Senior Series I—June 29, July 6 and July 13 Naturalist Allison Jackson! Experience nature with your Explore forest, field and pond toddler as Miss Allison shares stories, simple crafts and a Series II—July 27, August 3 and August 10 short outdoor exploration. All children must be walking Explore field, stream and forest and accompanied by an adult. Registration required.

10 Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org Speaking of nature Magic in the Air by Jeff Hoagland e grew up free range children in rural Hopewell WTownship. We rambled through rows of corn and meadows full of wildflowers; we crawled through rusty barbed wire and the brambles of fallow farmland; and we scoured the forest for bushhouses, Tarzan vines, and trees to climb. It was a magical time.

Among the brightest memories A teacher-naturalist tags a 2015 monarch for release. of these earlier years in the wild substances, cardenolides, which are stored by monarchs as were butterflies— caterpillars, affording them a lifetime of protection against undeniable living predators. But farming practices in much of the central proof of magic. US, utilizing the herbicide glyphosate, have dramatically I still feel that ­reduced the populations of milkweeds there. Monarch way. They float reproduction in those areas, where historically most or bounce like ­monarchs were typically born, has dropped dramatically. A monarch butterfly in the Kate Gorrie birdsong across Butterfly House. the landscape. Monarchs have the longest migration of any butterfly. They fly on Monarchs east of the Rockies migrate north in the spring, ­geometric cellophane wings, which, at rest, act as pennants in successive generations, from their wintering grounds in announcing their team. They come from neat little packages, Mexico. At the end of summer, the last generation of the chrysalids, after a brief childhood in disguise, as another year begins a journey south, up to 3000 miles long, to the equally enchanting being—a caterpillar. same mountains where their “great-grandparents” wintered the previous year. Over the eons, this has exposed monarchs Over the decades my understanding of butterflies has to the great range of weather hazards. Unfortunately, with deepened, only enhancing the magic. My awe persisted climate change, weather is becoming more dramatic, with through adolescence, college, and early adulthood, deeper droughts and bigger storms, further threatening continuing to this day. Through that whole span, I have their migration. encountered, watched, and raised countless butterflies. This continues at the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House. Climate change also impacts the wintering areas, the Transvolcanic mountains of central Mexico. Each winter It is difficult to pick a favorite butterfly but perhaps we are all monarchs settle in dense colonies, in a very narrow micro- captivated most by Danaus plexippus, the monarch. And why climate offered only in Yamal fir trees, 10,000 feet above not? A large butterfly with striking wings of orange, black sea level. With climate change, these trees, and thus the and white, the monarch flutters through our farms and monarchs, are at risk. meadows, our suburban gardens, and our lives, competing with the flowers for our attention. Their familiarity, and their Monarch populations have declined 90 percent from the story,* makes them the poster child of the Lepidoptera. 20-year average since the 1990s. Several parties, including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Center for Food Monarchs are dependant entirely on a very narrow selection Safety, have filed for Endangered Species protection and are of food or host plants—milkweeds (Asclepias). Though now suing the federal government for lack of action. Such this seems like a quirk in evolution, milkweeds contain protection would result in restoration plans, and funds for conservation, offering substantial hope for this species *see website for the story of the monarch in decline. Continued on page 13

Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org 11 KEEPING AN EYE ON RUNOFF Too Much, Too Dirty. But Where Does it Go?

hen it rains in many of our suburban and urban W areas, water runs off our lawns, driveways and other hard surfaces into the street. From there, it flows along curbs and into storm drains. For many of us, that is the last we notice or think about it. But where does the water go?

Below our streets lies a labyrinth of pipes that carry runoff to our streams, creeks and rivers. The systems that collect runoff into underground pipes that discharge to our water- bodies are called “municipal separate storm sewer systems,” or MS4.

The problem is that runoff often carries a myriad of pollutants. Oil, gasoline, fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, metals, chloride from road salt, litter and other materials are collected by runoff, enter the MS4 and are discharged into New Jersey’s waters. (We’ve all seen the multicolored sheen of the water Contaminants are swept into storm drains when it rains. that flows into storm sewers.) All of this pollution is having a negative impact on our waters. In fact, according to the that it also believes the management of MS4s is not NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), 90 ­adequately protecting the nation’s waters. percent of the streams that are monitored are not meeting the state’s water quality standards. The Clean Water Act is supposed to prohibit the discharge of pollution into waterways that are already failing to meet water quality standards. MS4s should be managed in a way that prevents water pollution, instead of contributing to it. Pollutants should be filtered out of runoff before they reach our streams, not conveyed directly to them.

NJDEP recently proposed modest modifications to the MS4 program. The proposal requires that all runoff outfalls to streams be mapped and makes some improvements to education requirements, but we believe the proposal doesn’t go nearly far enough to address the problem. The most basic step would be to require that ­municipalities monitor pollution in the runoff that their MS4s are A stormwater drain accumulates polluted runoff. ­carrying, and filter out pollutants that are identified by such monitoring before they are discharged to MS4s are owned by municipalities, which are required to our waterways. secure a permit from NJDEP to manage these systems. In 2014, the Watershed and other organizations petitioned We hope NJDEP will respond to our comments on its plan NJDEP to strengthen this permitting system in order to by strengthening the MS4 program as we’ve urged it too. address the polluted runoff problem (For more information on that petition, see “Environmental Groups Partner for Clean Water” in the Spring 2014 issue of this newsletter.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has­in dicated

12 Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org Too Much, Too Dirty. But Where Does it Go?

TapWatch Magic in the Air continued from page 1 continued from page 11

TapWatch compliments work the Watershed has been We can help. Here at the Watershed Center, in addition to doing since 1949 to keep our water clean, safe and healthy, breeding monarchs in the butterfly house, we have created including our StreamWatch program which monitors the monarch waystations. With help from the Garden Club of health of local streams, lakes and rivers. Princeton, Timberlane Middle School sixth-graders and others, hundreds of milkweed plants have been planted on Please visit our website for more information about this our trails. One of the best locations to see this is in the rain exciting new program: thewatershed.org/tapwatch. garden in front of the Center.

How can you help? You too can create a monarch waystation, planting milkweed species native to your location. You can also eliminate use of pesticides and herbicides on your property. Become a River-Friendly Resident. E­ ducate ­yourself about farming practices and make informed ­decisions as a consumer. This is a call to action.

Despite this gloom, there is reason for hope. Wintering populations in Mexico, measured by area covered, increased this past winter to just over 4 hectares of forest. That is not much real estate but it represents a more than three-fold increase from the prior winter and more than a six-fold increase from their dramatic low during the winter of 2013–14. We still have much to learn about the monarch and their resilience. We need to embrace the magic and lend a helping hand.

Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org 13 THE WATERSHED WELCOMES NEW INTERNS Investing in Our Future eginning this spring, Stefanie Paeg and Brooke Shaffer Bhave called the Watershed Reserve home. The two are working with us until December as our 2016 J. Seward Johnson Sr. Teacher-Naturalist Interns. The program is made possible by grant funding from the J. Seward ­Johnson Sr. 1963 Charitable Trust. The internships provide ­valuable training for careers in environmental education while ­expanding our capacity to educate students of all ages about the environment.

After graduating from Wright State University with a BS in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Stephanie discovered the joy of environmental education through internships at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm and Bruckner Nature Stefanie Paeg and Brooke Shaffer are new education interns. Center, both in Ohio. She relishes the excitement she sees in students in the field as they learn about the environment. The J. Seward Johnson Interns work fulltime for almost 10 months, conducting a wide array of programs ranging from Brooke grew up near the Watershed Reserve and graduated school field trips focused on aquatic ecology and STEM from the University of Vermont with a BS in Early Childhood activities, to programs for preschoolers, scouts and families. Education. She has worked with children outdoors in New This summer they will work at the Watershed Nature Mexico, Vermont, and New York and recently returned Camp, where the marriage of nature, science, spirit, play from field work in New Zealand. She is enjoying teaching and community will deepen campers’ understanding of students about her home environment. their place in this world. Ask a Member The Stony Brook-MillstoneW ­ atershed “I found my way to the Watershed Association is a member supported through a master gardener’s program. non-profit that depends on the I knew someone who was a member generosity of people like you! Two and realized what a wonderful of our members, Priscilla Hayes and benefit the Watershed Association Carole Welsch, are attending the is and decided to become Language of Nature course on Plants more involved.” and ­Wildflowers of Woods, Fields —Priscilla Hayes and Roadsides. We asked them a few questions about their experience What do you think is the Watershed as members and why they choose to join our mission to Association’s most important impact in the community? protect and restore clean water in central New Jersey. “The open space and the facility is the most important impact. Then education helps to preserve these natural How did you become involved with the Stony Brook- spaces. The stream conservation work is also vital.” Millstone Watershed Association? —Carole Welsch “I started coming to the Watershed many years ago to go on walks and to go birding. I was a member when the “I feel that the education done here is most important to Honey Brook Organic Farm was called ‘the Watershed the community. All of the education courses I’ve taken Farm’. I had a CSA with that farm. It wasn’t long before have had fabulous instructors and provided me with I got involved from that point.” great training!” —Carole Welsch —Priscilla Hayes 14 Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org Board of Trustees ADVISORY Board Here is what we’re doing Laura Hanson, Chair Margaret R. Gorrie, Co-chair to protect your water Scott Sillars, Vice Chair Margaret Sieck, Co-chair Beth Behrend, Secretary William Ayers, PhD Investing in Our Future Since 1949, it’s been our mission to keep central New Jersey’s water Daniel J. Dart, Treasurer Mary Baum Jim Waltman, Executive Nancy Beck clean, safe and healthy for our community. With your support, we Director Kathleen Biggins can continue our efforts to protect our water. Ted Bromley Sandra Allen Bill Carmean • W e actively monitor our local streams, the source of our Mary Jane Augustine, Esq. Lori Citrone Elliot Cohen drinking water, for pollution and share our findings with Robert H.B. Baldwin, Jr. Pernilla Burke Barbara Griffin Cole local municipalities as well as the NJ Department of Diane Ciccone Swep Davis Environmental Protection. Patty Cronheim Anna Drago Emily Firmenich Joan Emerick • We organize stream cleanups at which literally tons of trash Deborah Sands Gartenberg Wendy Pierce Evans Alix Gerry are removed from the banks of our waterways. Sophie Glovier Katharine B. Hackett Peter Gibson Robert Harris, PhD Ed Gwazda • Our “River-Friendly” program works with businesses, Carolyn Ryan Healey Thomas B. Harvey schools, golf courses, and residents to encourage and certify Michael Hornsby Katie Heins behaviors that protect our water. Dinni Jain Robert Hillas Mark S. Nurse The Hon. Rush D. Holt, Jr. • W e advocate for state and local laws and policies to keep Aaron Schomburg Betsy Hoover Catherine Sidamon-Eristoff Betty Wold Johnson new development away from streams, and we fight against Fredric Spar Kevin D. Kuchinski proposals to weaken existing regulations. Gregory Vafis Mary Leck, PhD Daniel J. Van Abs, PhD Richard Levandowski, MD • We fight placement of natural gas pipelines in environmentally Christine Lokhammer Wendy Mager sensitive areas, particularly near our water supply. Margaret R. Gorrie, Trustee Emeritus The Rev. David McAlpin Nelson Obus • We are introducing a new drinking water testing program Staff Thomas O’Neill for our Watershed Community for both municipal and well Jim Waltman, Kim Otis water testing this summer. Executive Director Betsy Peyton Kevin Walsh, Candace Preston There is no doubt that clean water is essential to the health of Deputy Director Ingrid Reed Amy Regan you and your family. It is because of you that we make a difference Jeff Hoagland, Education Director Nancy Ross in our community. Thank you for your support! Jenny-Ann Kershner, Jamie Kyte Sapoch Development Director Lorraine Sciarra Please visit our website to learn how you can help. Mike Pisauro, Esq., Dick Scribner Policy Director Ted Thomas Daphne Townsend Vicky Allen George Vaughn Keeping water clean, safe and Laurie Babicki Jay Vawter Sam Bernstein Jack Wallace healthy is the heart of our ­mission. Rich Cavallaro Van Zandt Williams We work to protect and restore Keith Costill Bob Wolfe Ed DiFiglia our water and natural environment in Nicholas Ho Kate Hutelmyer central New Jersey through conservation, Allison Jackson advocacy, science and education. Tammy Love Lynn McNulty Visit us online to show your support. Donate, stay informed, get involved. Suzanne Moran www.thewatershed.org • www.njweather.org/station/3526 Brittany Musolino Pam Newitt Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association Rob Nicolaides 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington NJ 08534 Alison Novobilsky Stefanie Paeg Main office phone: (609) 737-3735 Maryann Polefka Your Water. Brooke Shaffer Your Environment. Tara Slater Erin Stretz Your Voice. @sbmwa @theH20shed @sbmwa @sbmwa @sbmwa @sbmwa @dubshed Matt Thompson

Summer 2016 www.thewatershed.org 15 NON-PROFIT ORG. 31 Titus Mill Road U.S. POSTAGE Pennington, NJ 08534 PAID NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ PERMIT NO. 1818 Your water. Your environment. Your voice.