Wallkill River group wins state honor
Hampton. The Wallkill River Watershed Management Group has won the Governor's Environmental Excellence Award in Environmental Education for holding its third annual Stormwater Summer Camp, which included stormwater-themed STEM activities.
| 10 Dec 2019 | 02:06
Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe today presented Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards to those who have spearheaded efforts to help protect and enhance New Jersey’s environment.
The Wallkill River Watershed Management Group was awarded in the Environmental Education category for holding its third annual Stormwater Summer Camp, where activities involve water, but have a green goal.
The camp, funded by NJ Future and held in July at Marian E. McKeown Elementary School in Hampton, saw students building water filters, getting their hands dirty in the school’s 3,865-square-foot rain garden and observing the installation of porous asphalt in the school parking lot. The camp included stormwater-themed STEM activities and off-campus field trips to teach the campers about water pollution and conservation, project planning and design, and stormwater management using nature-based solutions.
The efforts at the Sussex County school help to capture stormwater from its facilities so that polluted runoff won’t flow into the Paulins Kill River directly across the street.
“It is truly an honor to recognize these environmental leaders who are shining examples for all of us to follow,” Commissioner McCabe said. “Their commitment and dedication provide proof that the spirit of environmentalism remains strong in New Jersey. We congratulate them on their outstanding achievements and thank them for helping to improve the health of our environment – and our quality of life."