• Latest Issues
• Project for Municipal Excellence
• Stream Clean-ups
• The Watershed Institute

Stream Clean-ups

To protect clean water and healthy habitats it takes the combined efforts of citizens, volunteers, neighbors, and families working side-by-side to make a difference. The Watershed Association works with residents, local groups and municipal, county and state leaders on a wide variety of initiatives and actions to plan smart, grow community and preserve and protect our natural resources.

Since 2007, the Watershed Association has teamed up with volunteers throughout our watershed to pick up trash and debris near area lakes, rivers and streams. Each year hundreds of volunteers help us haul thousands of pounds of litter, recyclables and trash – everything from bleach bottles and oil cans, to tires and shopping carts – out of our waterways and nearby areas. Why? People pollution is one of the biggest contributors to water pollution in our region. When it rains, stormwater carries with it all our waste – excess fertilizers, pet and animal waste, trash and more – to our lakes, rivers and out to the ocean harming aquatic life and polluting our water.

Together we can stem the tide of water pollution. By taking individual action to recycle, dispose of trash properly, and live River-Friendly we can help keep our water and environment clean and healthy.

6th Annual Cleanups the best yet!

The 2012 annual Watershed Association stream cleanups were the most successful to-date. A total of 415 volunteers collected 7,528 pounds of trash across 12 municipalities in central New Jersey. Since starting the Stream Cleanups in 2007, the Watershed Association has helped remove more than 22 tons of trash, litter and debris that were polluting our streams, rivers and other drinking water sources. Thank you to all of the volunteers and coordinating municipalities: Cranbury, East Windsor, Franklin, Hillsborough, Hopewell, Millstone, Monroe, Princeton, South Brunswick, West Windsor Townships, and Hightstown Borough. The events would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors: Bloomberg, Helen Cody Foundation, Allen & Stults Co., Saul Ewing LLP, New Jersey Clean Communities, Aztec Graphics, and American Rivers.

---

2012 Stream Clean-up Sponsors

With special thanks to our generous sponsors: Bloomberg, Allen & Stults Co, Saul Ewing LLP, Helene Cody Foundation, Aztec Graphics, NJ Clean Communities and American Rivers  

 

2012 Stream Clean-up Events:

Municipality	Date	Location
Cranbury	Sat. 4/21 9 AM – 12 PM	38 Maplewood Rd, Village Park Parking lot
East Windsor	Sat. 4/28 9 AM – 12 PM	Etra Lake parking lot. Disbrow Hill Rd
Franklin	Sat. 4/28 9 AM – 12 PM	Parking lot at Amwell Rd & Market St, East Millstone
Hightstown	Sat. 4/21 9 AM – 12 PM	Peddie Lake parking lot. 101 N. Main St..
Hillsborough	Sat. 4/28 9 AM – 12 PM	Parking lot at Amwell Rd & Market St, East Millstone
Hopewell	Sat. 4/14 9 AM – 12 PM	N. Main St, Pennington. Across from Knowles St.
Millstone	Sat. 4/21 9 AM – 12 PM	215 Millstone Road, Perrineville, NJ (Court Building)
Monroe	Sat. 4/21 1 PM – 3 PM	Gatarz Construction, 1408 Perrineville Rd
Princeton	Sun. 4/29 1 PM – 3 PM	D&R Canal at Washington Rd
South Brunswick	Sat. 4/28 9 AM – 12 PM	4196 N. US 1, Monmouth Junction Far side of Target parking lot
West Windsor	Sat. 4/21 1 PM – 3 PM	Port Mercer D&R Canal parking lot, across the canal from the Port Mercer Canal House on Quaker Road

---

5th Annual Stream Cleanup – biggest yet!

5th Annual Stream Cleanup Photos!

Special thanks to all the volunteers who made our 5th Annual Stream Cleanup a success! Check out our Stream Cleanup Slideshow see how everyone helped make a difference for clean water and the environment!

2011 Stream Cleanup Sponsors

Our 5th Annual Stream Cleanups are supported by NJ Clean Communities, Saul Ewing, McCaffrey’s, RomAsia Bank, Wegman’s, Home Depot and American Rivers  

---

 

2011 Stream Clean-up Statistics:

Municipality	Number of volunteers	How much trash? (pounds)
Cranbury	46	394
East Windsor	36	594
Franklin	21	1,136
Hightstown	75	451
Hopewell	24	1,197
Millstone	23	2,005
Monroe	41	150
Princeton	46	1,746
South Brunswick	23	916
West Windsor	27	1,979
Total	362 heroes	10,568 pounds

Volunteer Q&A: Jess Penetar

1. Why did you sign up for our Stream Cleanup? I volunteered at Plainsboro’s Waters Edge Park last year. I came out because I have fond memories of doing river clean ups from when I was a girl scout. … I also spend a lot of time outside, hiking, biking, camping, walking etc., and the last thing I want to see is trash. Not only is it an eyesore, but trash can harm animals and plants. Read more!