AmeriCorps; Environmental Stewardship

Delaware River and Bay - Dash for the Trash

The AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program is administered by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and is in its 12th year of service. Each September, twenty new Ambassadors are hired to serve throughout NJ to inspire citizens to care about their communities by conducting volunteer monitoring trainings and stream assessments, educating the public about water quality issues and getting them involved in capacity building activities to help reduce nonpoint source pollution.

To commemorate National AmeriCorps Week March 10th - 18th ten cleanups were organized by eight Ambassadors along the Delaware River and Bay. The 2012 AmeriCorps Week theme was “AmeriCorps Works” and in that spirit cleanups spanned from Lafayette in Northwest NJ down to Lower Township in Cape May County. Dash for the Trash was the result of the vision of AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Alumni and strong partnerships with the NJ Governor’s Office on Volunteerism and Service; NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust; NJ Clean Communities Council; NJ Water Supply Authority; and the Delaware River Basin Commission. The Ambassadors make a relevant connection and empower residents to become environmental stewards, equipped to make a difference for future generations. The Delaware River and Bay – Dash for the Trash presented an opportunity for residents to join in and become part of the change within their communities.

RESULTS FROM DASH FOR THE TRASH: • Over 400 volunteers spent more than 1500 hours to cleanup the Delaware River and Bay. • 536 bags of trash and recyclables were collected. • 52 tires were collected and recycled. • Removal of 5 bags of organic debris prevents 1 pound of phosphorus from entering NJ waterbodies; thus nearly 100 pounds of phosphorus was prevented from entering the Delaware River and Bay! • Each of the ten cleanups restored and improved ¼ mile of the Delaware River for a total of 3 miles.

A unique logo depicting the eagle in the Delaware River headwaters and horseshoe crab in the Bay was developed and used on items distributed for the event to recognize all partners who supplied their time, energy, manpower and/or funding to implement the vision. NJDEP Assistant Commissioner, Michele Siekerka was deeply inspired through her cleanup participation remarking that, “The Watershed Ambassadors positively glow with enthusiasm, and their concern for the environment is infectious.”

A closing ceremony was held along the Delaware River to thank the sponsors, Ambassadors and participants for exemplifying the AmeriCorps Motto of “Getting Things Done”. Watershed Ambassador Allison Kohler aptly summed up Dash for the Trash, “Something amazing happens when we all work together to accomplish the same goal – a beautiful synergy that lets us get even more done than we could have imagined and we did that all of us together across our home state”. Her sentiment was echoed by fellow Ambassador Trisha Pitcher, “When you serve, whether it is at a cleanup, a soup kitchen or tutoring a child you are doing more than just lending a helping hand. You are showing that you are selfless, that you are a person who cares enough to take action and you win over the hearts of those you are serving with and those you are serving for and develop friendships. You are building a better community for yourself, your friends and family and future generations”. See