HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS. HABs have serious, negative impacts on water quality and the health of people, pets, and livestock. From tidal estuaries and back bays to nearshore marine waters, New Jersey’s coastal environments support fisheries, recreation, wildlife, and local economies. Increasingly, however, these valuable ecosystems are vulnerable to a wide range of harmful algal blooms (HABs). What causes HABs, how can they be prevented, and what can you do to help?

NEW JERSEY INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT ACT.Signed into law on January 20, 2026, by Governor Phil Murphy on his final day in office, the New Jersey Invasive Species Management Act (S1029/A4137) establishes a permanent, statewide framework governing how designated invasive plant species may be grown and sold.

BIOCHAR TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY.Nutrient-driven water quality impairments, like HABs, continue to challenge lake managers, municipalities, and watershed organizations across the Northeast. Biochar has emerged as a helpful tool to improve water quality.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE.Planting native flowering plants, grasses and trees boosts the aesthetic appeal of any landscape while reducing stormwater runoff and increasing habitat for birds, pollinators, and other critical species. Read about a planting initiative we designed and implemented at Thompson Park as part of a multi-faceted Stormwater Treatment Train project.

MANAGING INVASIVE SPECIES.  Invasive species can quickly establish themselves in habitats ranging from freshwater wetlands and riparian corridors to stormwater basins and tidal marshes, disrupting ecological balance and biodiversity, altering hydrology, and displacing native species. Addressing these impacts requires a thoughtful, site-specific approach.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND LAKES. Lakes are living laboratories through which we can observe the local effects of climate change in our own communities. We put together a list of four inter-related, climate change induced environmental impacts that can affect lakes and lake communities.

GREEN OR GRAY INFRASTRUCTURE?   Stormwater challenges rarely have simple or universal solutions, particularly in communities where natural systems, critical infrastructure, and public safety intersect within constrained landscapes. How do practitioners navigate these challenges and decide when to rely on green, gray, or hybrid stormwater solutions?

BUILD A RAIN GARDEN. Rain gardens are a cost effective, attractive, and sustainable way to minimize stormwater runoff and filter out pollutants. This aesthetic, low-maintenance addition to any outdoor landscape creates a functioning habitat that attracts pollinators, beneficial insects, and birds. And, in a small way, it helps reduce erosion, promote groundwater recharge, and minimize flooding.

BECOME A SCHUYLKILL RIVER COMMUNITY SCIENTIST.  Looking for an easy way to get involved? Find a spot on the Schuylkill River and visually assess any debris or dumping along 100-foot stretch of its riverbanks using our mobile-friendly form.  It only takes 5 minutes!

AQUATIC ORGANISM PASSAGE & CULVERT RESTORATION.Historically, culverts were built to move water quickly, however the designs present a barrier for migratory fish and aquatic organisms.  AOP efforts seek to maintain connectivity by allowing aquatic organisms to migrate upstream or downstream under roads. Princeton Hydro partnered with New York – New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) and the Hudson River Foundation to create a toolkit for addressing problematic road-stream crossings.