Identifying critical issues – obstacles, challenges, opportunities, needs; Defining priorities to address & next steps; Creating momentum for collaborative, watershed-wide solutions

1. Accelerating Action
The Delaware River Watershed Forum
PHILADELPHIA, PA

OCTOBER 28-29, 2013
Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed

2. Plenary Overview
 Coalition 101
 Forum Objectives
 Foundation Perspectives
 Forum Structure

3. Mission Statement
TO UNITE ORGANIZATIONS AND ENHANCE THEIR
CAPACITY TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR
PROTECTING AND RESTORING THE DELAWARE
RIVER BASIN BY COORDINATING
COMMUNICATIONS, MESSAGES, AND ACTIONS
AND FOSTERING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SUCCESS
AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS

4. Providing….

Links to organizations
working throughout the
watershed

Access to coordinated
advocacy and efforts

Connection to regional, state
and national initiatives

Opportunity to raise profile
of issues to a broader
audience

5. Photo Credit: Charles Fox

7. Membership


Watershed Associations  Recreation &
Outdoor Interests  Land Conservancies
 Education Centers 
Environmental Organizations  Regional
Partnerships
 National Advocacy Groups
Non-governmental
organizations
No membership fees
or dues

8. Membership is Growing…
American Littoral Society*
American Rivers*
Appalachian Mountain Club
Aquetong Watershed Association
Basha Kill Area Association
Bertsch-Hokendauqua-Catasauqua
Watershed Assoc.
Brodhead Watershed Association
Christina Conservancy, Inc.
Delaware Highlands Conservancy*
Delaware Nature Society*
Delaware River Greenway
Partnership
Delaware River Shad Fishermen’s
Assoc.
Ducks Unlimited*
Federation of Fly Fishers, N.E.
Council
Friends of the Upper Delaware*
Fry’s Run Watershed Association
G.O.A.L.
Green Valleys Watershed Assoc.
Greentreks Network, Inc.
Musconetcong Watershed
Association*
National Audubon Society
National Parks Conservation
Association*
National Wildlife Federation*
Natural Lands Trust
New Jersey Audubon Society*
NJ Council Trout Unlimited
Nurture Nature Center
Partnership for the Delaware
Estuary
PennFuture*
PA Council Trout Unlimited
Pennsylvania Environmental
Council*
Pennypack Ecological Restoration
Trust
Pompeston Creek Watershed
Assoc.
Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter
South Jersey Land and Water Trust
SE Montgomery County Trout
Unlimited Chapter
Tinicum Conservancy
Tookany/Tacony Frankford
Watershed Partnership
Valley Creek Restoration
Partnership
Valley Forge Chapter of Trout
Unlimited
Watershed Coalition of the
Lehigh Valley
Wild Trout Flyrodders
Wildlands Conservancy
Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Association*

9. Expertise
&
Water testing
Dam Removal
Invasive plants
Reforestation
Habitat restoration
Deer management
Migratory fish
Grassland creation
Educational programs
Community engagement
Media connections
Interests
Stormwater
Open space
Fracking
Recreational Access
Citizen Science
Flooding
Forest conservation
Connectivity
Trails
Climate
Cold water resources

10. Steering Committee
American Littoral Society
Tim Dillingham
American Rivers
Laura Craig
Delaware Highlands Conservancy
Sue Currier
Delaware Nature Society
Ginger North
Ducks Unlimited
Bernie Marczyk
Friends of the Upper Delaware River
Jeff Skelding
Musconetcong Watershed Assoc.
Beth Styler Barry
National Parks Recreation Assoc.
Joy Oakes
National Wildlife Federation
Grant LaRouche
New Jersey Audubon
Kelly Mooij
PennFuture
Joy Bergey
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Patrick Starr
Wissahickon Valley Watershed Assoc.
Dennis Miranda

11. On the Horizon
Year 2

More/Improved
Communications Tools

Basin-wide Priorities
– Legislative
– Plan?
– Others?
 Forum Follow-Up

12. Accelerating Action
The Delaware River Watershed Forum

13. Purpose

Identify critical issues – obstacles,
challenges, opportunities, needs

Define priorities to address & next
steps

Create momentum for
collaborative, watershed-wide
solutions
What’s keeping you from doing your best work?

14. Approach

Facilitated discussions

Different perspectives

Multiple opportunities

15. Outcomes

Lists of issues and priorities

Wrap-up

Ongoing collaboration/work

Re-visit annually?

16. “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us”
- Winston Churchill

17. Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
Kim Beidler, Coordinator
204 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
kim.beidler@njaudubon.org
609-392-1182