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The project will retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin with a series of green stormwater infrastructure improvements designed to slow, capture, and naturally treat stormwater runoff. The basin project, located between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township, was identified in the 2021 Upper Musconetcong River Implementation Plan (WIP) as a priority project to reduce non-point source pollution and improve water quality before stormwater enters the lake at King Cove. "Roxbury is truly thankful for the Lake Hopatcong Commission. Lake Hopatcong is such a valuable resource and the commission’s work alongside Princeton Hydro has preserved a natural treasure," said Shawn Potillo, Mayor of Roxbury. "We are grateful to the NJDEP for their support and award of this grant. This water basin project in Roxbury will help continue the commission’s purpose of keeping the lake a beautiful place to swim, boat, relax, and call home." A range of improvements will be incorporated including planting native vegetation and managing invasive species to stabilize soils, support wildlife, and naturally filter pollutants before they reach the lake. Erosion and sediment control measures will further protect the area by reducing stormwater scouring and preventing bank degradation. In addition to on-the-ground restoration, the project emphasizes public education and outreach to promote best management practices and ongoing watershed stewardship among residents and local partners. Project success will be evaluated through water quality monitoring conducted before and after construction, providing measurable data on the project’s effectiveness in improving water quality. “Lake Hopatcong’s fight against harmful algal blooms requires a united front, where many projects, like retrofitting stormwater basins to capture nutrients before they go into the lake, collectively make a big impact,” said Dr. Fred Lubnow, Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services at Princeton Hydro. “Thanks to the leadership of the Lake Hopatcong Commission and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, this collaborative approach is driving real progress toward cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and a more resilient future for New Jersey’s largest lake.” The basin enhancement project is funded through NJDEP’s Water Quality Restoration Grant Program, which is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Clean Water Act Section 319(h). Along with the state grant, the project includes a $200,000 local match from the Commission, Roxbury Township, and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and builds on a $98,000 planning grant awarded by the New Jersey Highlands Council in 2024 that helped prepare the project for implementation and future grant opportunities. “This project represents an important step forward in improving Lake Hopatcong’s water quality and reducing pollutants that contribute to harmful algal blooms,” said Ron Smith, Chairman of the Lake Hopatcong Commission. “We’re grateful to NJDEP, Roxbury Township, Princeton Hydro, the Foundation and the Highlands Council for their continued partnership in protecting this vital resource.” [caption id="attachment_18637" align="aligncenter" width="1380"] Photo by the Lake Hopatcong Commission[/caption] The Lake Hopatcong Commission is an independent state agency created in, but not of, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. LHC is recognized as a steward of the lake and watershed. The 11-member Board of State and local appointees include representatives of the four municipalities and two counties surrounding Lake Hopatcong. LHC is responsible for fulfilling the obligations of the Lake Hopatcong Protection Act, to safeguard Lake Hopatcong as a natural, scenic, and recreational resource. To learn more, click here to visit lakehopatcongcommission.org. For over 30 years, Princeton Hydro has been proud to work alongside the Lake Hopatcong Commission and Lake Hopatcong Foundation in support of the lake’s health and resilience. Through these partnerships, and with the support of numerous funding agencies, a wide range of projects have been implemented to reduce pollutant loads, manage stormwater runoff, address invasive species and harmful algal blooms, and enhance habitat quality—helping to protect both the lake and the communities that depend on it. To learn more about our collaborative efforts, click here. [post_title] => Lake Hopatcong Commission Awarded $367,000 NJDEP Grant for Water Quality Improvements in Roxbury Township [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => lake-hopatcong-commission-awarded-367000-njdep-grant-for-water-quality-improvements-in-roxbury-township [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-11-10 17:09:04 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-11-10 17:09:04 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=18636 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 18586 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-11-06 00:15:54 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-11-06 00:15:54 [post_content] => The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently announced $8 million in Water Quality Restoration Grants to support projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution, mitigate harmful algal blooms, restore riparian areas, and enhance watershed and climate resilience. Funded through Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act and administered by the DEP's Watershed and Land Management Program, these grants were awarded to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions across the state. Princeton Hydro is proud to be a partner on five of the 17 funded projects. Our contributions vary by project and encompass activities such as engineering design, water quality assessment, watershed-based planning, and technical support for implementing stormwater and habitat restoration measures. Let's take a deeper look at these collaborative efforts: 1. The Watershed Institute – Watershed-Based Planning for Assunpink Creek The Watershed Institute received $205K in 319(h) grant funding to develop a watershed-based plan for the Assunpink Creek watershed, located within the Raritan River Basin. This watershed spans 11 municipalities across two counties, where varied landscapes and demographics share common challenges such as localized flooding, stormwater management, and water quality degradation, highlighting the need for a coordinated, watershed-wide, science-driven approach. The plan will evaluate pollution sources and identify large-scale restoration opportunities, including green infrastructure and riparian buffer restoration, to improve water quality and reduce flooding. It will also assess the cost, feasibility, and pollutant reduction potential of proposed measures to ensure practical implementation. Princeton Hydro supported the Institute in developing the grant proposal and planning framework, leveraging our expertise in watershed-based planning to prioritize nature-based solutions that address both water quality and climate resilience. This initiative represents a critical step toward regional collaboration, enabling upstream and downstream communities to work together on strategies that strengthen watershed health, protect public safety, and build long-term resilience. 2. Lake Hopatcong Commission – Watershed-Based Stormwater BMPs The Lake Hopatcong Commission (LHC) was awarded $366K to retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township. This retrofit is part of a larger Watershed Implementation Plan that Princeton Hydro developed in collaboration with LHC, which prioritizes nutrient reduction and stormwater management strategies across the Lake Hopatcong watershed. Over the past several years, LHC has actively implemented multiple elements of this plan to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and improve water quality. For this project, Princeton Hydro is providing engineering design and technical oversight to transform the existing basin into a green stormwater infrastructure system that slows, captures, and naturally treats runoff before it enters King Cove. The design incorporates native vegetation, invasive species management, and erosion control measures to stabilize soils and filter pollutants, reducing nutrient loading, which is one key driver of HABs. Public outreach and pre- and post-construction water quality monitoring will ensure performance tracking and measurable improvements. This basin retrofit represents a critical step in a coordinated, science-based approach to restoring ecological health and water quality in New Jersey’s largest lake. 3. Cozy Lake, Jefferson Township – Addressing Emerging Contaminants Jefferson Township received $350K in grant funding to develop an Emerging Contaminants Management Plan for Cozy Lake, focusing on cyanotoxins and HABs. Cozy Lake is a 28-acre waterbody within a 1,152-acre sub-watershed that includes both forested (60%) and developed (29%) land. The lake is fed by the Rockaway River at its northern end and a smaller southeastern inlet, with outflow through a dam on the western edge. The shoreline is primarily residential lawn with minimal emergent wetlands, and several inlets and rock-lined drainage ditches exhibit erosion and lack slope protection, contributing to sediment loading. Princeton Hydro provided early technical input to shape this innovative project with the creation of a comprehensive Jefferson Township Lake and Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. As part of the plan, Princeton Hydro made recommendations for Cozy Lake, which included enhancing shoreline buffers with native vegetation and installing living shorelines at select properties to stabilize soils, filter stormwater and reduce nutrient loading, improve habitat quality, and enhance community access. These measures, combined with in-lake monitoring and proactive management strategies, will help mitigate HABs and protect ecological and public health. 4. Rockaway Township – Watershed-Based Green Infrastructure Rockaway Township received $399K in grant funding to implement elements of its Watershed Implementation Plan, focusing on green infrastructure stormwater management and nutrient reduction to improve water quality. The project will retrofit the municipal complex by converting a rock-lined drainage swale into a vegetated swale with a bioretention basin, designed to filter stormwater runoff and reduce nonpoint source pollutants entering Fox’s Pond and Fox Brook. Princeton Hydro played a key role in developing the Watershed Implementation Plan, which encompasses 11 private lakes within the Rockaway River watershed, prioritizing critical locations for intervention and designing cost-effective green infrastructure BMPs. This regional approach aligns with strategies recommended by NJDEP and the Highlands Council. The plan included a comprehensive watershed-based assessment to identify and quantify factors contributing to eutrophication, evaluate management measures, estimate costs, and establish an implementation schedule. Princeton Hydro authored the final report, which guided the Township in applying for the Section 319(h) grant and now informs the design and construction of green stormwater infrastructure that will deliver measurable water quality improvements while supporting ecological restoration goals. 5. Green Trust Alliance – Green Infrastructure and Community Engagement Green Trust Alliance (GTA), a nationally accredited land trust and public charity dedicated to accelerating large-scale conservation, received $1.39 million in NJDEP funding to implement green infrastructure improvements at Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton, New Jersey. This initiative targets the Tuckerton Creek watershed, which drains into Tuckerton Creek and ultimately flows into Barnegat Bay—a critical estuary spanning 33 municipalities in Ocean County and four in Monmouth County. The retrofit will transform the school’s stormwater detention basin into a multi-functional system that mimics natural hydrology, enhances flow control, and improves water quality locally and in the larger Barnegat Bay watershed. Working with GTA and GreenVest, Princeton Hydro is serving as the design engineer, applying nature-based engineering and ecological restoration techniques to intercept, evapotranspire, and infiltrate stormwater runoff at its source. In addition to its technical objectives, the effort includes a strong community engagement component and an educational platform for students. By bringing green infrastructure into the school environment, the initiative provides hands-on experience with water resources, stormwater management, and ecological engineering, help to build STEM skills while fostering a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape and an understanding of how natural systems work together to support environmental and community health. Princeton Hydro also assisted several of these partners in developing successful NJDEP Section 319(h) grant applications, providing technical documentation, conceptual designs, and pollutant load reduction estimates to strengthen the proposals. To date, the Murphy Administration has awarded more than $33M in Water Quality Restoration grants to improve the health of waterways in all corners of the state. Click here to read about all the 2025 grant funding recipients and their innovative projects. As NJDEP Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette noted in the department's press release, “Enhancing the ecological health of our lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters has long been a priority of the Murphy Administration. The Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to award these grants that will help our partners advance a variety of strategies to improve the health of these waterways and enhance the quality of life in our communities.” We are proud to play a continued role in advancing that mission: helping communities implement practical, data-driven solutions that make a measurable difference for New Jersey’s waterways and the people who depend on them. Click here to learn more about our work to protect natural habitat and restore water quality throughout the New Jersey. [post_title] => NJDEP Awards $8M for Water Quality Restoration Projects [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => njdep-319h-grants-2025 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-11-07 01:20:58 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-11-07 01:20:58 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=18586 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 18240 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-09-23 16:29:44 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-09-23 16:29:44 [post_content] => Princeton Hydro is honored to be recognized by Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) with the 2025 Corporate Conservation Recognition Award. This distinction celebrates Princeton Hydro's long-standing dedication to advancing ecological resilience through science-based, innovative solutions. Over the past three decades, our team has led more than 10,000 water resource projects in New Jersey and beyond, integrating engineering and ecology to restore wetlands, manage stormwater, and safeguard natural resources. The award was presented to Princeton Hydro Vice President Mark Gallagher by FoHVOS Executive Director Jenn Rogers during the organization's Annual Fundraising Gala on Sunday, September 14, at Glenmoore Farm. "I’m honored and deeply grateful to accept the Corporate Conservation Award. It’s a privilege to be recognized among so many passionate and dedicated individuals and organizations working to protect and restore our natural world," said Mark during his acceptance speech. "We’re proud to collaborate with environmental nonprofit groups like FOHVOS, government agencies, and community stakeholders to restore habitats that support biodiversity, improve water quality, and enhance climate resilience. Every restoration effort is a step toward healing the land and reconnecting people with the natural spaces around them." Also honored at the event was Jim Waltman, Executive Director of the Watershed Institute, who received the Jack Gleeson Environmental Achievement Award. [caption id="attachment_18245" align="alignnone" width="1227"] Mark Gallagher and Jenn Rogers.[/caption] [gallery columns="2" link="none" size="large" ids="18234,18246"] This year's gala theme - "Flowing Together - Land and Water, People and Purpose, Community and Care" - celebrated science, stewardship, and the collective efforts of the conservation community. Alongside Mark, Princeton Hydro leaders Megan Hunter Ruf, Chief Operating Officer; Samara McAuliffe, Chief People Officer; and Christiana Pollack CERP, CFM, GISP, Director of Restoration & Resilience, attended the event. Guests enjoyed live music, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and the signature Green Carpet, where eco-inspired attire took center stage. Guests weren't the only stars of the evening. Roaming the grounds of Glenmoore Farm was Rizzo, a resident turkey, who quickly became a crowd favorite. From strutting across the Green Carpet to mingling with guests, Rizzo delighted as she proudly paraded through the party. [gallery columns="2" link="none" size="medium" ids="18247,18254"] Princeton Hydro and FoHVOS have a long history of partnership and collaboration, rooted in a shared mission to protect natural resources and foster resilient communities. In addition to project collaborations, our Chief People Officer Samara McAuliffe has proudly served on the FoHVOS Board of Trustees since 2022. Princeton Hydro was also a proud sponsor of this year's gala. We are deeply grateful to FoHVOS for this recognition and look forward to continuing our work together to advance conservation in Hopewell Valley and beyond. Learn more about FoHVOS's initiatives and how you can get involved by clicking here. [post_title] => Princeton Hydro Honored with "Corporate Conservation Recognition Award" [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => princeton-hydro-honored-with-corporate-conservation-recognition-award [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-09-23 16:34:43 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-09-23 16:34:43 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=18240 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 18093 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-09-09 16:52:52 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-09-09 16:52:52 [post_content] => Welcome to our “A Day in the Life” blog series, where we explore the diverse expertise and everyday experiences of the professionals who power Princeton Hydro’s mission. In this edition, we feature Nicole Hanson, Office and Special Projects Manager, and delve into her role as Health & Safety Program Lead. While you may spot many of Princeton Hydro’s team members out in the field inspecting dams, delineating wetlands, or monitoring water quality, Nicole’s work happens mostly behind the scenes. Her dedication to health and safety makes all those field activities possible. Spend a day with her, and you’ll quickly see that safety is anything but routine. It’s equal parts organization, problem-solving, collaboration, and people-care (with a healthy dose of coffee). Laying the Foundation for Leadership in Health & Safety Nicole joined Princeton Hydro in 2007, starting in the former Voorhees, NJ office with administrative tasks like answering phones, ordering supplies, and organizing files. Before long, she took on a much larger responsibility: helping coordinate the construction of Princeton Hydro’s Southern Regional Office in Sicklerville, NJ. The new space was designed to accommodate the firm’s growing staff and house the Geotechnical Soils Testing Laboratory, a facility accredited by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and validated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Materials Testing Center (MTC) to perform a full range of tests. “The office construction project was my first taste of special projects management,” Nicole reflects. “From pouring concrete, coordinating with the movers to relocate the entire office to the new office, and working with the team installing furniture, I was involved in almost every detail. I still have all the original documents and notes from that time.” Over the years, inspired by the many women in leadership roles at Princeton Hydro, Nicole worked hard to grow into her own influential path. "Working alongside such talented and dedicated women showed me what leadership looks like in action, and motivated me to grow, learn, take on new challenges every day, and pursue my own professional goals." Today, alongside her Office Management and Special Projects responsibilities, Nicole manages Princeton Hydro’s Health & Safety Program in partnership with Chief Operating Officer Megan Hunter Ruff and Regional Safety Leaders (RSLs) Jerry Vogel, Chris Mikolajczyk, CLM, and Casey Pantaleo, PE. She has been instrumental in formalizing and advancing the program’s systems and practices. "I take great pride in knowing that I play a key role in implementing a Health & Safety Program that protects our employees in their specific line of work and ensures that everyone goes home safely." Starting the Day: Coffee, Calendars, & Checklists Nicole’s day begins at 8:00 AM, caramel iced latte in hand. After scanning her inbox and calendar, she sets her priorities for the day, though she knows her plan may shift at any moment. “I’m constantly juggling tasks, solving problems, and adapting on the fly,” Nicole says with a laugh. “What surprises people most is how unpredictable my day can be, and how many different team members I connect with across projects. Some mornings, I’ll talk to fifteen employees before I even drink my second cup of coffee!” One moment Nicole is coordinating health and safety needs, the next she’s ordering lunch for the team, and later she’s assisting with a proposal submission. No two hours, let alone two days, look the same! Interwoven with the many tasks on Nicole’s to-do list each day are her health and safety responsibilities, which she views as mission critical. She creates “Toolbox Talks” and newsletter updates on various health and safety topics, verifies all staff certifications are valid and current, reminds staff of required safety trainings, and works with team members to order specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety vests, masks, hard hats, and other field gear. Nicole also keeps the Health & Safety Program current by reading safety-industry publications and attending virtual OSHA-regulated training courses, ensuring both the company protocols and her own knowledge evolve with the latest standards. Her role centers on coordinating and administering the program logistics, compliance tracking, and staff resources, rather than acting as a certified technical safety professional. Success, she says, comes down to collaboration, flexibility, and attention to detail. “Honestly, no one has it all figured out. My role is constantly evolving, so I rely on my notebook to track tasks and stay organized. I’m always open to feedback and enjoy learning from those around me - teamwork is everything, and a steady supply of coffee doesn’t hurt either!” Projects, People, & Safety Nicole’s role is unique in that she bridges multiple departments and disciplines within Princeton Hydro. As Health & Safety Program Lead, she works closely with the COO, RSLs, and many other technical staff across the company, a collaboration ensures that while Nicole steers the day-to-day systems, the technical experts remain at the core of the program's success. Nicole takes immense pride in Princeton Hydro's comprehensive Health & Safety Program. “It became my baby,” she says. “Safety doesn’t always get the spotlight, but it’s essential and the backbone of everything we do here at Princeton Hydro. Every time I help someone navigate a challenge or ensure they have the right tools and support, I know I’m contributing to both their success and their safety, and that feels great!" Nicole puts a lot of effort into making sure staff are prepared and equipped to handle the unique risks of environmental engineering and in-the-field science. Maintaining a strong Health & Safety Program at Princeton Hydro involves a lot of research, planning, budgeting, and communication, including:
The Lake Hopatcong Commission, in partnership with Roxbury Township and Princeton Hydro, and with support from the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, has been awarded a $367,000 Water Quality Restoration Grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the Lake Hopatcong Watershed Basin Enhancement Project.
The project will retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin with a series of green stormwater infrastructure improvements designed to slow, capture, and naturally treat stormwater runoff. The basin project, located between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township, was identified in the 2021 Upper Musconetcong River Implementation Plan (WIP) as a priority project to reduce non-point source pollution and improve water quality before stormwater enters the lake at King Cove.
"Roxbury is truly thankful for the Lake Hopatcong Commission. Lake Hopatcong is such a valuable resource and the commission’s work alongside Princeton Hydro has preserved a natural treasure," said Shawn Potillo, Mayor of Roxbury. "We are grateful to the NJDEP for their support and award of this grant. This water basin project in Roxbury will help continue the commission’s purpose of keeping the lake a beautiful place to swim, boat, relax, and call home."
A range of improvements will be incorporated including planting native vegetation and managing invasive species to stabilize soils, support wildlife, and naturally filter pollutants before they reach the lake. Erosion and sediment control measures will further protect the area by reducing stormwater scouring and preventing bank degradation.
In addition to on-the-ground restoration, the project emphasizes public education and outreach to promote best management practices and ongoing watershed stewardship among residents and local partners. Project success will be evaluated through water quality monitoring conducted before and after construction, providing measurable data on the project’s effectiveness in improving water quality.
“Lake Hopatcong’s fight against harmful algal blooms requires a united front, where many projects, like retrofitting stormwater basins to capture nutrients before they go into the lake, collectively make a big impact,” said Dr. Fred Lubnow, Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services at Princeton Hydro. “Thanks to the leadership of the Lake Hopatcong Commission and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, this collaborative approach is driving real progress toward cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and a more resilient future for New Jersey’s largest lake.”
The basin enhancement project is funded through NJDEP’s Water Quality Restoration Grant Program, which is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Clean Water Act Section 319(h). Along with the state grant, the project includes a $200,000 local match from the Commission, Roxbury Township, and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and builds on a $98,000 planning grant awarded by the New Jersey Highlands Council in 2024 that helped prepare the project for implementation and future grant opportunities.
“This project represents an important step forward in improving Lake Hopatcong’s water quality and reducing pollutants that contribute to harmful algal blooms,” said Ron Smith, Chairman of the Lake Hopatcong Commission. “We’re grateful to NJDEP, Roxbury Township, Princeton Hydro, the Foundation and the Highlands Council for their continued partnership in protecting this vital resource.”
The Lake Hopatcong Commission is an independent state agency created in, but not of, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. LHC is recognized as a steward of the lake and watershed. The 11-member Board of State and local appointees include representatives of the four municipalities and two counties surrounding Lake Hopatcong. LHC is responsible for fulfilling the obligations of the Lake Hopatcong Protection Act, to safeguard Lake Hopatcong as a natural, scenic, and recreational resource. To learn more, click here to visit lakehopatcongcommission.org.
For over 30 years, Princeton Hydro has been proud to work alongside the Lake Hopatcong Commission and Lake Hopatcong Foundation in support of the lake’s health and resilience. Through these partnerships, and with the support of numerous funding agencies, a wide range of projects have been implemented to reduce pollutant loads, manage stormwater runoff, address invasive species and harmful algal blooms, and enhance habitat quality—helping to protect both the lake and the communities that depend on it. To learn more about our collaborative efforts, click here.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently announced $8 million in Water Quality Restoration Grants to support projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution, mitigate harmful algal blooms, restore riparian areas, and enhance watershed and climate resilience. Funded through Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act and administered by the DEP's Watershed and Land Management Program, these grants were awarded to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions across the state.
Princeton Hydro is proud to be a partner on five of the 17 funded projects. Our contributions vary by project and encompass activities such as engineering design, water quality assessment, watershed-based planning, and technical support for implementing stormwater and habitat restoration measures. Let's take a deeper look at these collaborative efforts:
The Watershed Institute received $205K in 319(h) grant funding to develop a watershed-based plan for the Assunpink Creek watershed, located within the Raritan River Basin. This watershed spans 11 municipalities across two counties, where varied landscapes and demographics share common challenges such as localized flooding, stormwater management, and water quality degradation, highlighting the need for a coordinated, watershed-wide, science-driven approach.
The plan will evaluate pollution sources and identify large-scale restoration opportunities, including green infrastructure and riparian buffer restoration, to improve water quality and reduce flooding. It will also assess the cost, feasibility, and pollutant reduction potential of proposed measures to ensure practical implementation. Princeton Hydro supported the Institute in developing the grant proposal and planning framework, leveraging our expertise in watershed-based planning to prioritize nature-based solutions that address both water quality and climate resilience. This initiative represents a critical step toward regional collaboration, enabling upstream and downstream communities to work together on strategies that strengthen watershed health, protect public safety, and build long-term resilience.
The Lake Hopatcong Commission (LHC) was awarded $366K to retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township. This retrofit is part of a larger Watershed Implementation Plan that Princeton Hydro developed in collaboration with LHC, which prioritizes nutrient reduction and stormwater management strategies across the Lake Hopatcong watershed. Over the past several years, LHC has actively implemented multiple elements of this plan to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and improve water quality.
For this project, Princeton Hydro is providing engineering design and technical oversight to transform the existing basin into a green stormwater infrastructure system that slows, captures, and naturally treats runoff before it enters King Cove. The design incorporates native vegetation, invasive species management, and erosion control measures to stabilize soils and filter pollutants, reducing nutrient loading, which is one key driver of HABs. Public outreach and pre- and post-construction water quality monitoring will ensure performance tracking and measurable improvements. This basin retrofit represents a critical step in a coordinated, science-based approach to restoring ecological health and water quality in New Jersey’s largest lake.
Jefferson Township received $350K in grant funding to develop an Emerging Contaminants Management Plan for Cozy Lake, focusing on cyanotoxins and HABs. Cozy Lake is a 28-acre waterbody within a 1,152-acre sub-watershed that includes both forested (60%) and developed (29%) land. The lake is fed by the Rockaway River at its northern end and a smaller southeastern inlet, with outflow through a dam on the western edge.
The shoreline is primarily residential lawn with minimal emergent wetlands, and several inlets and rock-lined drainage ditches exhibit erosion and lack slope protection, contributing to sediment loading. Princeton Hydro provided early technical input to shape this innovative project with the creation of a comprehensive Jefferson Township Lake and Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. As part of the plan, Princeton Hydro made recommendations for Cozy Lake, which included enhancing shoreline buffers with native vegetation and installing living shorelines at select properties to stabilize soils, filter stormwater and reduce nutrient loading, improve habitat quality, and enhance community access. These measures, combined with in-lake monitoring and proactive management strategies, will help mitigate HABs and protect ecological and public health.
Rockaway Township received $399K in grant funding to implement elements of its Watershed Implementation Plan, focusing on green infrastructure stormwater management and nutrient reduction to improve water quality. The project will retrofit the municipal complex by converting a rock-lined drainage swale into a vegetated swale with a bioretention basin, designed to filter stormwater runoff and reduce nonpoint source pollutants entering Fox’s Pond and Fox Brook.
Princeton Hydro played a key role in developing the Watershed Implementation Plan, which encompasses 11 private lakes within the Rockaway River watershed, prioritizing critical locations for intervention and designing cost-effective green infrastructure BMPs. This regional approach aligns with strategies recommended by NJDEP and the Highlands Council. The plan included a comprehensive watershed-based assessment to identify and quantify factors contributing to eutrophication, evaluate management measures, estimate costs, and establish an implementation schedule. Princeton Hydro authored the final report, which guided the Township in applying for the Section 319(h) grant and now informs the design and construction of green stormwater infrastructure that will deliver measurable water quality improvements while supporting ecological restoration goals.
Green Trust Alliance (GTA), a nationally accredited land trust and public charity dedicated to accelerating large-scale conservation, received $1.39 million in NJDEP funding to implement green infrastructure improvements at Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton, New Jersey. This initiative targets the Tuckerton Creek watershed, which drains into Tuckerton Creek and ultimately flows into Barnegat Bay—a critical estuary spanning 33 municipalities in Ocean County and four in Monmouth County. The retrofit will transform the school’s stormwater detention basin into a multi-functional system that mimics natural hydrology, enhances flow control, and improves water quality locally and in the larger Barnegat Bay watershed.
Working with GTA and GreenVest, Princeton Hydro is serving as the design engineer, applying nature-based engineering and ecological restoration techniques to intercept, evapotranspire, and infiltrate stormwater runoff at its source. In addition to its technical objectives, the effort includes a strong community engagement component and an educational platform for students. By bringing green infrastructure into the school environment, the initiative provides hands-on experience with water resources, stormwater management, and ecological engineering, help to build STEM skills while fostering a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape and an understanding of how natural systems work together to support environmental and community health.
Princeton Hydro also assisted several of these partners in developing successful NJDEP Section 319(h) grant applications, providing technical documentation, conceptual designs, and pollutant load reduction estimates to strengthen the proposals.
To date, the Murphy Administration has awarded more than $33M in Water Quality Restoration grants to improve the health of waterways in all corners of the state. Click here to read about all the 2025 grant funding recipients and their innovative projects.
As NJDEP Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette noted in the department's press release, “Enhancing the ecological health of our lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters has long been a priority of the Murphy Administration. The Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to award these grants that will help our partners advance a variety of strategies to improve the health of these waterways and enhance the quality of life in our communities.”
We are proud to play a continued role in advancing that mission: helping communities implement practical, data-driven solutions that make a measurable difference for New Jersey’s waterways and the people who depend on them. Click here to learn more about our work to protect natural habitat and restore water quality throughout the New Jersey.
Princeton Hydro is honored to be recognized by Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) with the 2025 Corporate Conservation Recognition Award. This distinction celebrates Princeton Hydro's long-standing dedication to advancing ecological resilience through science-based, innovative solutions. Over the past three decades, our team has led more than 10,000 water resource projects in New Jersey and beyond, integrating engineering and ecology to restore wetlands, manage stormwater, and safeguard natural resources.
The award was presented to Princeton Hydro Vice President Mark Gallagher by FoHVOS Executive Director Jenn Rogers during the organization's Annual Fundraising Gala on Sunday, September 14, at Glenmoore Farm.
"I’m honored and deeply grateful to accept the Corporate Conservation Award. It’s a privilege to be recognized among so many passionate and dedicated individuals and organizations working to protect and restore our natural world," said Mark during his acceptance speech. "We’re proud to collaborate with environmental nonprofit groups like FOHVOS, government agencies, and community stakeholders to restore habitats that support biodiversity, improve water quality, and enhance climate resilience. Every restoration effort is a step toward healing the land and reconnecting people with the natural spaces around them."
Also honored at the event was Jim Waltman, Executive Director of the Watershed Institute, who received the Jack Gleeson Environmental Achievement Award.
This year's gala theme - "Flowing Together - Land and Water, People and Purpose, Community and Care" - celebrated science, stewardship, and the collective efforts of the conservation community. Alongside Mark, Princeton Hydro leaders Megan Hunter Ruf, Chief Operating Officer; Samara McAuliffe, Chief People Officer; and Christiana Pollack CERP, CFM, GISP, Director of Restoration & Resilience, attended the event. Guests enjoyed live music, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and the signature Green Carpet, where eco-inspired attire took center stage.
Guests weren't the only stars of the evening. Roaming the grounds of Glenmoore Farm was Rizzo, a resident turkey, who quickly became a crowd favorite. From strutting across the Green Carpet to mingling with guests, Rizzo delighted as she proudly paraded through the party.
Princeton Hydro and FoHVOS have a long history of partnership and collaboration, rooted in a shared mission to protect natural resources and foster resilient communities. In addition to project collaborations, our Chief People Officer Samara McAuliffe has proudly served on the FoHVOS Board of Trustees since 2022. Princeton Hydro was also a proud sponsor of this year's gala.
Learn more about FoHVOS's initiatives and how you can get involved by clicking here.
Welcome to our “A Day in the Life” blog series, where we explore the diverse expertise and everyday experiences of the professionals who power Princeton Hydro’s mission. In this edition, we feature Nicole Hanson, Office and Special Projects Manager, and delve into her role as Health & Safety Program Lead.
While you may spot many of Princeton Hydro’s team members out in the field inspecting dams, delineating wetlands, or monitoring water quality, Nicole’s work happens mostly behind the scenes. Her dedication to health and safety makes all those field activities possible. Spend a day with her, and you’ll quickly see that safety is anything but routine. It’s equal parts organization, problem-solving, collaboration, and people-care (with a healthy dose of coffee).
Nicole joined Princeton Hydro in 2007, starting in the former Voorhees, NJ office with administrative tasks like answering phones, ordering supplies, and organizing files. Before long, she took on a much larger responsibility: helping coordinate the construction of Princeton Hydro’s Southern Regional Office in Sicklerville, NJ. The new space was designed to accommodate the firm’s growing staff and house the Geotechnical Soils Testing Laboratory, a facility accredited by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and validated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Materials Testing Center (MTC) to perform a full range of tests.
“The office construction project was my first taste of special projects management,” Nicole reflects. “From pouring concrete, coordinating with the movers to relocate the entire office to the new office, and working with the team installing furniture, I was involved in almost every detail. I still have all the original documents and notes from that time.”
Over the years, inspired by the many women in leadership roles at Princeton Hydro, Nicole worked hard to grow into her own influential path. "Working alongside such talented and dedicated women showed me what leadership looks like in action, and motivated me to grow, learn, take on new challenges every day, and pursue my own professional goals."
Today, alongside her Office Management and Special Projects responsibilities, Nicole manages Princeton Hydro’s Health & Safety Program in partnership with Chief Operating Officer Megan Hunter Ruff and Regional Safety Leaders (RSLs) Jerry Vogel, Chris Mikolajczyk, CLM, and Casey Pantaleo, PE. She has been instrumental in formalizing and advancing the program’s systems and practices. "I take great pride in knowing that I play a key role in implementing a Health & Safety Program that protects our employees in their specific line of work and ensures that everyone goes home safely."
Nicole’s day begins at 8:00 AM, caramel iced latte in hand. After scanning her inbox and calendar, she sets her priorities for the day, though she knows her plan may shift at any moment.
“I’m constantly juggling tasks, solving problems, and adapting on the fly,” Nicole says with a laugh. “What surprises people most is how unpredictable my day can be, and how many different team members I connect with across projects. Some mornings, I’ll talk to fifteen employees before I even drink my second cup of coffee!” One moment Nicole is coordinating health and safety needs, the next she’s ordering lunch for the team, and later she’s assisting with a proposal submission. No two hours, let alone two days, look the same!
Interwoven with the many tasks on Nicole’s to-do list each day are her health and safety responsibilities, which she views as mission critical. She creates “Toolbox Talks” and newsletter updates on various health and safety topics, verifies all staff certifications are valid and current, reminds staff of required safety trainings, and works with team members to order specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety vests, masks, hard hats, and other field gear. Nicole also keeps the Health & Safety Program current by reading safety-industry publications and attending virtual OSHA-regulated training courses, ensuring both the company protocols and her own knowledge evolve with the latest standards. Her role centers on coordinating and administering the program logistics, compliance tracking, and staff resources, rather than acting as a certified technical safety professional.
Success, she says, comes down to collaboration, flexibility, and attention to detail. “Honestly, no one has it all figured out. My role is constantly evolving, so I rely on my notebook to track tasks and stay organized. I’m always open to feedback and enjoy learning from those around me - teamwork is everything, and a steady supply of coffee doesn’t hurt either!”
Nicole’s role is unique in that she bridges multiple departments and disciplines within Princeton Hydro. As Health & Safety Program Lead, she works closely with the COO, RSLs, and many other technical staff across the company, a collaboration ensures that while Nicole steers the day-to-day systems, the technical experts remain at the core of the program's success.
Nicole takes immense pride in Princeton Hydro's comprehensive Health & Safety Program. “It became my baby,” she says. “Safety doesn’t always get the spotlight, but it’s essential and the backbone of everything we do here at Princeton Hydro. Every time I help someone navigate a challenge or ensure they have the right tools and support, I know I’m contributing to both their success and their safety, and that feels great!"
Nicole puts a lot of effort into making sure staff are prepared and equipped to handle the unique risks of environmental engineering and in-the-field science. Maintaining a strong Health & Safety Program at Princeton Hydro involves a lot of research, planning, budgeting, and communication, including:
Beyond the checklists and compliance requirements, Nicole also looks for creative ways to keep safety top of mind. By creating and sharing safety-themed memes, she makes important reminders easier to remember and a lot more fun. Here are a few of our favorites:
For special projects, risk assessment and mitigation start on day one. Nicole reviews project goals, timelines, and team roles with a critical eye, helping to identify potential challenges, whether logistical, regulatory, or health and safety related. By asking questions and gathering input from both field staff and managers, she zeroes in on the right Health & Safety experts to guide the team and flags anything that could derail success.
For Nicole, every challenge is also an opportunity. She welcomes the twists and turns that come with her work, letting new projects and unexpected needs guide her growth. “There’s always something new to learn or take on, and I’ve learned to stay open to wherever the day leads me."
After 18 years with Princeton Hydro, Nicole continues to approach her role with curiosity and momentum. She is committed to refining and expanding the Health & Safety Program, not by resting on what already works, but by seeking out new opportunities to make systems more efficient, accessible, and effective. She welcomes input from colleagues and pairs it with her own creative problem-solving to build tools that support the entire team.
Looking ahead, one of Nicole’s top priorities is creating a centralized internal platform that gives staff easy access to safety resources, training reminders, Active AHAs, and comprehensive program documents, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. To bring this vision to life, she’s collaborating closely with the COO and RSLs, combining operational insight with technical safety expertise to build a system that’s both practical and comprehensive for the entire company.
At the end of the day, Nicole’s goal is simple: give her colleagues the confidence to do their best work, backed by the training, tools, and systems that keep them safe. “My highest priority is ensuring that every employee returns home safely to their loved ones at the end of each day. Nothing I do is more important than protecting the health and well-being of our team.”
To learn more about Nicole, click here.
Click here to read the previous “Day in the Life” blog series edition, which follows Casey Pantaleo, PE, a licensed Professional Engineer and Senior Project Manager on the Engineering Services team, as he performs one of his highly specialized roles: dam inspection. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories from our talented team!
Princeton Hydro's Director of Aquatics, Michael Hartshorne, recently traveled to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, to present at the Southern African Society for Aquatic Scientists (SASAqS) Congress 2025. Hosted by the Institute of Natural Resources (INS) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the annual event convened researchers, industry professionals, government officials, and students from around the world to advance aquatic science by linking research with real-world practice.
Over the course of five days, participants shared insights on critical global and regional issues, including water pollution, water security, biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and community-based resource management. The program featured an array of interdisciplinary presentations spanning hydrology, freshwater ecology, and policy, while also creating space for collaboration and connection through interactive workshops, poster sessions and exhibits, networking events, and a gala dinner and awards ceremony. On the closing day, field trips brought attendees out into the surrounding landscape, offering a tangible backdrop to the themes explored throughout the conference.
On the opening day of the SASAqS Congress 2025 program, Michael addressed the full conference audience with a presentation titled “Novel Techniques for the Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Lakes and Rivers of the United States,” which focused on innovative approaches for detecting and managing HABs, a growing worldwide concern driven by nutrient pollution and climate change. Michael illustrated how innovative research can inform practical management strategies while encouraging global collaboration.
HABs are intensifying in frequency, scale, and severity worldwide, presenting challenges for drinking water supplies, recreational lakes, and river ecosystems. Michael’s presentation showcased a suite of monitoring tools, from handheld phycocyanin and phycoerythrin meters, to drones with multispectral lenses, to advanced techniques such as qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction), microscopy, and akinete cell monitoring. Through case studies from lakes, reservoirs, and river systems in New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, he highlighted the strengths and limitations of each method, emphasizing the importance of tailoring monitoring strategies to the unique conditions of each waterbody. Michael also discussed management interventions and highlighted how emerging technologies can support more adaptive, science-driven management of HABs.
“It was an honor to participate in this year’s event and learn alongside so many dedicated professionals who are working to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems,” said Michael. “The international exchange of ideas and techniques is critical in helping us all address the increasingly complex challenges facing our water resources.”
The conference concluded with optional field trips that gave participants a chance to view South Africa’s aquatic systems and management challenges firsthand. Each excursion highlighted a different aspect of aquatic science in practice:
UKZN Zebrafish Research Facility: On the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus, this outing introduced participants to the zebrafish as a model organism for studying genetics, development, and aquatic toxicology. The tour provided a window into laboratory-based aquatic science and its applications to regional and global challenges.
Lions River Monitoring Demonstration: Hosted by GroundTruth, this field trip took a group to Lions River to observe live demonstrations of water quality and quantity monitoring using advanced tools such as UAVs (drones), USVs (unmanned survey boats), and a suite of citizen science methods, including MiniSASS, clarity tubes, and velocity planks. The excursion showcased how high-tech innovation and community-driven monitoring can complement one another in managing freshwater resources.
Outside of the conference, Michael took the opportunity to explore the diverse beauty and culture of South Africa. At Betty's Bay, a small town on the Western Cape he enjoyed coffee while taking in sweeping coastal views; walked scenic trails; spotted a few Hyraxes and Chacma baboons; and observed the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) at the Stony Point colony. He also viewed the Cape Rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus), a ground-dwelling bird endemic to the mountain Fynbos, at nearby Rooi-Els.
He visited Karkloof Nature Reserve in the KwaZulu-Natal province, a rural agricultural area which has implemented conservation efforts for the once endangered, but still threated, Wattled Crane (Grus carunculate).
Michael’s participation in SASAqS Congress 2025 reflects Princeton Hydro’s ongoing commitment to advancing aquatic science and collaborating with experts around the world. By sharing practical monitoring and management strategies for HABs, his contributions added to a rich global dialogue on how science can inform sustainable solutions.
Since joining Princeton Hydro in 2006, Michael has led numerous lake, stream, and watershed studies focused on water quality, restoration, and sustainable management. His expertise includes applied limnology, ecological restoration, TMDL (total maximum daily load) development, and biological surveys. Michael is skilled in designing and implementing monitoring programs that integrate technical rigor with community engagement, ensuring effective outcomes for both ecosystems and stakeholders. To learn more about Michael, click here.
The Institute of Natural Resources promotes the sustainable use of natural resources to benefit both the environment and society. Click here to learn more. To learn more about The University of KwaZulu-Natal a teaching and research-led university with multiple campuses across South Africa, click here.
Earlier this year, Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey M. Goll, PE traveled to Durban, South Africa, to participate in a symposium focused on “Dam Management and Restoration of River Connectivity.” Click here to read the blog about his journey.
Welcome to our Partner Spotlight blog series, where we highlight the meaningful collaborations and shared successes Princeton Hydro enjoys with our valued partners. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Save Barnegat Bay, a nonprofit rooted deeply in environmental advocacy and stewardship, dedicated to safeguarding Barnegat Bay.
Fed by freshwater inputs from rivers, creeks, and streams, and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean, Barnegat Bay is a unique estuary stretching approximately 42 miles from Bay Head to Long Beach Island and the Little Egg Harbor inlet. Barnegat Bay is the largest body of water in New Jersey and one of the region’s most valuable natural resources.
Save Barnegat Bay, founded in 1971 by neighbors concerned about the future of their local waterways, has grown into a highly respected, effective, and influential voice for environmental protection throughout the state. Through advocacy, education, restoration, and community engagement, the organization is leading the charge to preserve the Barnegat Bay ecosystem and the wildlife and communities that call it home.
For this Partner Spotlight, we spoke with Britta Forsberg, Executive Director of Save Barnegat Bay, who brings decades of personal and professional commitment to protecting this vital resource.
Let’s jump in!
“What truly sets Save Barnegat Bay apart is our hyper-local approach. We’re not a Washington, D.C.-based environmental group, we’re right here in the Barnegat Bay Watershed, working directly with the communities we serve. For 54 years, we’ve remained a steady and effective environmental voice, and we’ve achieved meaningful, lasting impacts through persistence, collaboration, and grassroots engagement.”
In the video below, Britta shares more about the guiding vision behind Save Barnegat Bay’s work and what continues to fuel the organization’s success:
“Save Barnegat Bay’s work spans decades and addresses a wide range of threats to the watershed, from nutrient pollution to legacy contamination. One of our most impactful successes is the passage of the New Jersey Fertilizer Law, which we wrote and lobbied for. It remains the strictest fertilizer content law in the country. This effort began with local ordinances, but we quickly realized a patchwork of municipal laws wasn’t effective. So, we pursued statewide legislation to reduce nitrogen pollution, a major stressor for Barnegat Bay’s ecological health. This law has helped prevent millions of tons of nitrogen from entering New Jersey’s waterways.
Another critical focus for us is environmental justice and accountability. We’re currently challenging a controversial settlement related to the Ciba-Geigy Superfund Site in Toms River. This site has a painful history: decades ago, a chemical plant discharged toxic waste into rivers, groundwater, and even the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in significant health impacts, including a well-documented childhood cancer cluster. While criminal charges and civil suits were eventually brought, we’re now fighting for appropriate restitution. We believe the NJDEP’s current settlement with the site’s owner, BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, lacks transparency and fails to account for the full environmental damage. We’ve filed an appeal and are advocating for a more just and science-based resolution that considers the lasting damage to 1,200 acres of land, the groundwater, wetlands, river, bay, and ocean.
We’re also proud to have played a leading role in the closure of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, once the oldest operating nuclear plant in the country. The plant’s design used Barnegat Bay water to cool its reactors, then discharged superheated water back into the estuary, devastating marine life daily. We believe Save Barnegat Bay is the only grassroots environmental organization in the U.S. to successfully close a nuclear plant not on the basis of nuclear energy itself, but on its local ecological impacts.
These are just a few examples of the many efforts Save Barnegat Bay has led or supported over the years. From legislative advocacy to grassroots mobilization, our work is broad and ongoing. What unites it all is our deep commitment to protecting the Bay and ensuring its health for generations to come.”
“Barnegat Bay relies on a delicate and often overlooked network of 58 named rivers, creeks, and streams. Many of these freshwater sources originate in the Pine Barrens, winding through Ocean County and parts of Monmouth County before reaching the Bay. They are the lifeblood of the estuary, delivering freshwater that supports the Bay’s health, biodiversity, and overall ecological function.
Our “Rivers, Creeks, and Streams” campaign was created to inspire and connect people with their local waterways and take part in their protection. Whether it's through cleanup activities, water sampling, or making simple, eco-friendly changes at home, we believe small actions can collectively have a big impact.
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, we've been able to acquire a fleet of canoes and kayaks to get people, including elected officials and community leaders, directly out on the water. This hands-on approach helps participants build a personal relationship with their local water resources, see firsthand the challenges and opportunities for improvement, and feel empowered to help. It’s one thing to talk about water quality in a meeting room, it’s another to experience it on the water, paddle in hand.”
In the video clip below, Britta shares more about this unique initiative:
“Over the years, we’ve collaborated with Princeton Hydro on a wide range of impactful projects. We've worked with many members of their team, including Dr. Steve Souza; Dr. Fred Lubnow; Geoffrey Goll, P.E.; and Mark Gallagher, just to name a few. Our work together has spanned everything from technical restoration projects to public education initiatives. In fact, we’ve probably partnered with a good portion of their staff at some point on various critical initiatives across the watershed.”
In the video clip below, Britta highlights two collaborative projects that stand out as major wins, successfully protecting sensitive habitats while navigating the priorities of various stakeholders:
Britta continues: “We’re also partnering with Princeton Hydro to take a proactive approach to water quality management in coastal towns throughout the Barnegat Bay Watershed. Specifically, we’ve been supporting Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head in developing comprehensive lake and watershed management plans. There are three coastal lakes in Point Pleasant and one in Bay Head, and these proactive planning efforts have been incredibly valuable for those communities.
Honestly, I could go on and on. We’ve worked with Princeton Hydro on so many important projects together; it’s a true partnership.”
“There are so many ways to get involved. At Save Barnegat Bay, we encourage people to contribute and participate in whatever way works best for them—time, treasure, or talent. Nearly everything we offer is free and open to the public, from hands-on workshops like rain barrel construction to science-based programs like eelgrass planting and clinging jellyfish monitoring to volunteer initiatives like shoreline clean-ups. We’re not a membership-based organization, which means there’s no barrier to participation. You can simply show up and engage in whatever way feels right to you.
Britta leaves us with a few inspiring words about the power of big ideas, and a reminder to look beyond the everyday and believe in what’s possible:
A heartfelt thank you to Britta Forsberg for her time, passion, and leadership, and for sharing the inspiring story of Save Barnegat Bay. Her dedication to community-driven stewardship and environmental advocacy reflects the profound impact that local action can have on protecting vital natural resources on a wide-reaching scale.
Click here to learn more about Save Barnegat Bay’s work, sign up for the volunteer email newsletter, check out the events calendar, and explore all the ways you can get involved. To learn more about some of Princeton Hydro's work to protect and restore Barnegat Bay, click here.
We are thrilled to announce that Princeton Hydro has been recognized as one of New Jersey's Top Workplaces of 2024 and 2025!
The Top Workplaces program, an annual employer recognition endeavor fueled entirely by input from employees, is considered the nation’s most credible employer recognition program. Winning a Top Workplaces award serves as a testament to a company's people-first ethos and validates a company's dedication to creating work experiences that unlock potential and inspire performance. Each year, for the New Jersey Top Workplaces program, NJ Advance Media gathers nominations and celebrates winners with a dedicated section and awards ceremony.
"Receiving this prestigious recognition as one of New Jersey's “Top Workplaces” is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our team and our commitment to creating a fulfilling work experience at Princeton Hydro, guided by our mission, vision, and values," said Princeton Hydro President and Founding Principal Geoffrey M. Goll, PE. "This achievement validates our efforts to prioritize employee satisfaction and growth opportunities, as well as underscores our dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and promotes employee engagement. Our people get the credit for working together to make Princeton Hydro a great place to be!”
With our dedicated staff spread across office locations in the Northeast region and Colorado, the company's flexible work hours and hybrid office policy allow employees to find a balance between their professional and personal lives, enabling remote work and attracting top talent.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Our award-winning headquarters office offers a stylish and comfortable work environment, featuring contemporary interiors, ample space, and large windows with lush plants creating a refreshing ambience.
To create a supportive workplace, we utilize a variety of techniques, including a unique pet-friendly policy that enhances employee morale, provides a fun break opportunity, and reduces stress levels. And let’s not forget the cherry on top: our PHun events! These include group volunteer activities, brown-bag learning presentations, holiday parties, and chili cook-offs.
With these practices in place, there’s no wonder why Princeton Hydro deserves to be called the best!
Top Workplaces list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, to name a few.
The complete list of New Jersey Top Workplaces of 2024 and 2025 winners was showcased by NJ.com, Jersey’s Best, and The Star-Ledger. For more information about New Jersey's Top Workplaces, click here. To learn more about the Princeton Hydro team and the work that we do, click here.
The Princeton Hydro team is presenting at conferences nationally and internationally; leading continuing education courses; and participating in events that celebrate community and environmental stewardship. In this edition of our Events Spotlight, we provide an overview of all the latest happenings and information on how to get involved.
The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber is hosting its September Membership Luncheon on Thursday, September 4 from 11:30AM to 1:30PM at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. The program, “Understanding the State’s Utility Landscape: An Executive Briefing with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities,” will feature two of New Jersey’s leading energy and sustainability decision-makers: NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy and Chief of External Affairs Henry Gajda. They will share insights into the state’s energy strategy, infrastructure investments, and regulatory priorities shaping New Jersey’s economic and environmental future. During the luncheon, the Chamber will announce this year’s Legacy of Leadership Awards honorees, which will be officially celebrated at the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber Legacy of Leadership Awards Dinner on December 4 (more info below).
Get more info and register.
The New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative (NJCRC) is hosting the Coastal Ecological Restoration Technical Workshop on September 11 at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Bordentown, New Jersey. This full-day, in-person event joins coastal stakeholders, researchers, practitioners, and managers to share knowledge and explore the latest science advancing coastal ecological restoration.
The agenda kicks off with a Work Group session, “Advancing Science-Based Ecological Restoration Across New Jersey’s Coast,” led by a panel of experts and followed by a closing Q&A. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops covering a wide range of topics, including “eDNA and Water Quality as Indicators of Coastal Ecological Health;” “Smart Permitting for Restoration;” and “How to Build a Digital Communications Toolkit for Climate Action,” which is led by Princeton Hydro’s Director of Marketing & Communications, Dana Patterson Grear.
Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided, along with a post-workshop networking reception. To top it all off, every participant will take home a complimentary plant courtesy of Pinelands Nursery.
Celebrate the sights, sounds, and flavors of fall at Trenton River Fest 2025 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark and the Back Parking Lot from 11am - 4pm. This free, community event offers something for everyone, from scenic boat and canoe rides on the Delaware River to hayrides, fly fishing demonstrations, and hands-on educational activities hosted by local organizations. Enjoy live music, sample seasonal craft beers, and explore a variety of local vendors, including Princeton Hydro’s table, where you can learn about protecting New Jersey's waterways and wildlife. The festival’s grand finale is the 9th Annual Trenton Thunder World Famous Case’s Pork Roll Eating Championship, a thrilling 10-minute Major League Eating contest featuring some of the world’s top competitive eaters.
Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS), an accredited nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving land, protecting natural resources, and inspiring a new generation of conservation, invites you to join them for its Annual Gala. The fundraising gala, themed "Flowing Together," will take place under the tent at Glenmoore Farm on Sunday, September 14 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Mingle with FoHVOS experts, enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, listen to live music by Clyde St. Clifford and the Omnidextrous Jazz Ensemble while celebrating science, stewardship, and conservation. Attendees are invited to walk the Green Carpet in their most creative eco-inspired attire, from Forestry Flair to Biodiversity Bling. FoHVOS has selected Princeton Hydro, a proud sponsor of the gala, as the 2025 recipient of its Corporate Conservation Recognition award, which will be presented during this special event.
This comprehensive online course offered by Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Office of Continuing Professional Education provides participants with essential knowledge in dam safety compliance and ecosystem restoration. Led by Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E., an expert with over 30 years of experience who has overseen more than 100 dam removal projects, the course features instruction from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The Nature Conservancy, and members of the Princeton Hydro team. Participants will explore dam demolition techniques; hydraulic and sediment transport modeling; fish passage and habitat connectivity; conceptual models of impoundment areas; ecosystem restoration of former lakebeds; infrastructure protection; and sediment discharge mitigation.
Designed for professionals from a wide range of disciplines, including engineers, scientists, biologists, restoration coordinators, and project managers, this course offers 0.7 Rutgers CEUs (7 contact hours) and select professional credits. Whether you’re developing your first dam removal project or looking to deepen your technical expertise, this course will help you stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.
Creek Week is the largest watershed-wide clean-up in the state of Colorado! Over nine action-packed days of service and stewardship, volunteers from across the Fountain Creek Watershed will come together to clean up litter and lend a hand. Get outdoors, get active, and get busy creating positive change for your community and those living downstream. Princeton Hydro's Senior Manager of Aquatics Christopher L. Mikolajczyk, CLM, President-Elect of the Colorado Lake and Reservoir Management Association's 2025 Board of Directors, is participating in clean-up events throughout the week and hopes to see you there! Click here to learn more about Princeton Hydro's work in Colorado.
The 11th World Conference on Ecological Restoration will take place in Denver, Colorado. SER's World Conference is an exciting and inspiring biennial gathering of global experts in ecological restoration, and the premier venue for those interested in being active members of the global restoration community. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with leading professionals and experts from around the world at this important event that only takes place in North America every 12 years. The conference schedule is jam packed with engaging activities, including a film festival, the "Make a Difference" volunteer day, and a wide array of field trips, training courses, symposiums, and workshops. Princeton Hydro is leading two workshops:
The Watershed Institute is celebrating 50 years of the Watershed FEST, its largest annual fundraising event. Proceeds are used to maintain and enhance Watershed Institute programs and the work they do to protect and restore our water and natural environment through conservation, advocacy, science, and education. Guests of this special evening will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres under the tent, music by Cold Soil Drifters, a full dinner and dessert experience catered by Under the Moon Cafe, and s’mores around the fire pits. For this year's FEST, themed "Streams and Dreams," everyone is asked to wear "forest formal attire," which is described as a dress code that blends the elegance of formal wear with the natural, rustic elements of a forest setting.
Please note: This event has been postponed until Spring 2026.
Princeton Hydro and The Watershed Institute are happy to announce this year's 2-Day Watershed Restoration Academy, being held on Oct 8–9, 2025 (Rain Date: Oct 10) at The Watershed Center, 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, NJ. Dive into the science of streams and watershed restoration in this immersive, hands-on course designed for engineers, scientists, planners, landscape architects, and restoration professionals. Participants will experience: One day of interactive classroom instruction; One field day exploring a healthy & degraded stream; Real-world data collection & analysis; and Certificate of completion + continuing ed credits
Learn from top experts: Casey Clapsaddle, Fluvial Geomorphologist, Princeton Hydro; Mark Gallagher, VP & Restoration Ecologist, Princeton Hydro; Mike Pisauro, Esq., Policy Director, The Watershed Institute; Erin Stretz, Assistant Director of Science, The Watershed Institute; and Steve Tuorto, Ph.D., Director of Science and Stewardship, The Watershed Institute.
The Rutgers University Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, dedicated to generating philanthropic resources and facilitating meaningful engagement to advance the mission of Rutgers, is hosting it's Medal of Excellence Dinner, which recognizes the achievements of six outstanding School of Engineering alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally since graduating. For the first time this year, the event also includes an award ceremony for the Corporate Partner of the Year. Alumni, school community members, and industry partners will assemble from 6pm - 9pm at the Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering for an evening of celebration. Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E. holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University (Class of 1990) and a Master of Engineering Management degree from UW–Madison. In 2022, Geoffrey was appointed to the Rutgers University School of Engineering Industry Advisory Board. Princeton Hydro is a proud "Builder" level sponsor of the event.
Princeton Hydro is proud to sponsor the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC)'s 52nd Annual Environmental Congress. The conference features educational workshops and inspirational speakers, covering topics like how to support pollinators and reduce invasives, energy innovations for New Jersey, and guidance for preparing a watershed improvement plan. For the keynote address, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette will share insights on how New Jersey is positioning itself to address climate change. The program also includes a ceremony for the 2025 ANJEC Environmental Achievement and Municipal Officials Leadership Awards along with a robust exhibitor hall - we encourage you to come by the Princeton Hydro booth to say hello!
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) leads collaboration between government and industry in support of national security priorities through a commitment to advancing three interdependent strategic goals: Drive Partnerships, Deliver Solutions, and Develop People. The SAME Mid-Maryland Industry Day and Small Business conference gives small and minority businesses in the architecture, engineering and construction industries the opportunity to connect with federal agencies to showcase best practices and highlight future opportunities to work in the federal market. This year’s conference includes an exhibitor hall, keynote presentations, networking events, training sessions, and panel discussions led by local, state, and federal agency professionals.
The New Jersey Highlands Coalition invites you to participate in its North Jersey Rivers Conference being held at the David and Carol Lackland Center at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The event offers a full program focused on a central theme: “Currents of Connection Between Land, Water and People.” Participants can attend plenary sessions, networking events, and choose between nine workshops across three tracks: Resilient Lands and Waters, Climate and Habitat Change, and Community Connections.
NJAFM is hosting its 20th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Atlantic City, New Jersey. With over 500 people expected to attend, it is the premiere floodplain management conference in the Northeast, providing an opportunity for professionals in the fields of engineering, hydrology, geology, planning, code enforcement, floodplain management and emergency management to participate in educational seminars, training opportunities and exclusive networking events. Participants will engage in educational sessions centered around the conference theme: “NJAFM at 20 Years: Celebrate the Past, Focus on the Future.” Princeton Hydro, a sponsor of the conference, is exhibiting and leading two technical workshop sessions:
The National Stream Restoration Conference is hosted by the Resource Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing America’s natural resources by restoring streams, rivers and wetlands. The 3-day event, themed “Resilient Rivers: Adapting for the Future,” will focus on prior and current projects, specific examples, success stories, and lessons learned to advance stream and wetland restoration. The agenda includes regional roundtables, plenary presentations, a panel and audience Q&A, a field trip to the Severn River watershed, and a variety of technical breakout sessions. For the "Dam Removal and Aquatic Fish Passage" Technical Breakout Sessions group, Beth Styler Barry, The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey Director of Freshwater Programs, and Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E., Princeton Hydro President, are leading a workshop on "Calculating Flood Hazard Reduction as Part of Dam Removal Feasibility Studies."
The 13th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum, being held at the County College of Morris in Randolph, New Jersey, is a must-attend event for anyone interested in protecting the Delaware River Watershed. This one-day, in-person conference, of which Princeton Hydro is a sponsor, brings together watershed advocates, legislators, environmental organizations, and community members to participate in dynamic education sessions, plenary discussions, networking events, and field trip excursions. A detailed conference agenda including speakers, and workshop descriptions will be released soon.
Stay tuned for more info and a registration link.
Join Restore America’s Estuaries for the 2025 Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop taking place in New Haven, Connecticut. Hosted by Restore America’s Estuaries and Doherty Climate and Resilience Institute at Save the Sound, the event brings together over 250+ professionals, practitioners, and policymakers to learn, engage, and exchange knowledge about living shorelines – an innovative and nature-based solution to shoreline stabilization and ecosystem conservation. The two-day program includes insightful presentations, invigorating discussions, valuable networking opportunities, and field trips showcasing innovative coastal resilience strategies and habitat restoration efforts. The first day includes a poster session and reception from 4:30 - 6:30pm. Princeton Hydro’s Director of Marketing & Communications, Dana Patterson Grear, was selected to present her poster on "How to Build a Digital Communications Toolkit for Climate Action."
Discover innovative solutions and strategies at the NALMS 2025 International Symposium, titled "Navigating Change Together: Enhancing Lake, Watershed and Reservoir Resilience." Experts and professionals will gather in Myrtle Beach, SC, to tackle the complex challenges of managing lakes, share success stories, and discuss the latest techniques and technologies. The program features field trips, poster presentations, networking events, workshops, a 5K fun run, and plenary and concurrent sessions covering topics like, Aquatic Plant Ecology and Identification; Ecology and Life of Cyanobacteria; and Sediment Phosphorus Inactivation in Lakes and Ponds.
With temperatures rising and extreme weather events growing more frequent and intense, infrastructure resiliency has never been more critical. At the SAME Philadelphia Post Resilience Conference, attendees will hear from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers experts, industry leaders, and small businesses on topics including transportation systems, healthcare facility resilience, and geospatial data innovation, as well as contracting opportunities within the Philadelphia and Baltimore Districts. The program also features networking activities and a fireside chat with experts and small businesses engaged in the Philadelphia District’s Resilience and Dredging programs. Princeton Hydro is proud to serve as both a sponsor and exhibitor at this year’s event.
The SAME Philadelphia Post's Small Business Conference aims to provide small business entities from the A/E/C, environmental, and facility management industries the opportunity to come together with federal agencies to discuss opportunities for collaboration and tangible tips on how to navigate the bidding process. The conference, which takes place from 9am - 3pm at the DoubleTree Center City in Philadelphia, includes presentations, interactive breakout sessions, networking opportunities, panel discussions, and a small-business exhibitor hall. Princeton Hydro, one of the event sponsors and exhibitors, joined SAME as a sustaining member in 2018.
The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber will host its Legacy of Leadership Awards Dinner on Thursday, December 4 at TPC Jasna Polana, a historic and elegant golf club in Princeton, New Jersey. This annual tradition is devoted to celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of Chamber members, with special recognition given to leaders who have made a lasting impact on the business community. The evening will honor this year’s award recipients in four categories: Business Leader of the Year, Community Leader of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and Innovator of the Year.
Hundreds of leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to strengthening New Jersey’s water systems will come together at the College of New Jersey for the Jersey Water Works' (JWW) Annual Conference. With the theme “Our Commitment to Future Generations,” the program features an expanded lineup of 12+ interactive sessions, offering fresh perspectives on water infrastructure, stormwater management, and solutions for a sustainable and equitable water future. Attendees can expect a dynamic mix of committee-led discussions in the morning and collaborative workshops in the afternoon, plus opportunities to earn valuable Continuing Education Units. Dana Patterson Grear, Director of Marketing and Communications for Princeton Hydro and JWW Stormwater Utilities Subcommittee Co-Chair, is facilitating a panel on "Building Holistic Pathways for Resilient Municipal Stormwater Management." The conference serves as a hub for exchanging ideas, building partnerships, and driving collective action toward a healthier water future for all. We hope to see you there!
Now in its 25th year, the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve hosted its Land Ethics Symposium on August 29. For the first time since 2020, it returned live and in-person at Delaware Valley University, bringing together leading voices in ecological landscape design and stewardship. This year’s theme, “Creative Approaches for Ecological Landscaping,” highlighted innovative strategies for designing low-maintenance, cost-effective, and ecologically balanced landscapes using native plants and restoration techniques. Geared toward landscape architects, designers, contractors, land planners, municipal officials, and engaged homeowners, the symposium featured presentations by top experts, including:
Attendees explored topics such as native plant-based garden design, sensitive habitat restoration, land stewardship, and wildlife-friendly landscaping methods. The event also included an exhibitor hall and opportunities to connect with fellow professionals and enthusiasts. Continuing education credits were also available. Princeton Hydro proudly sponsored and exhibited the event!
Welcome to the latest edition of our Client Spotlight blog series, which provides an inside look at our collaboration, teamwork, and accomplishments with one of our client partners.
In this special edition, we’re shining the spotlight on the Town of Mina and Findley Lake Watershed Foundation (FLWF), two organizations working closely together to protect and preserve Findley Lake in Chautauqua County, New York. This charming 300-acre lake is a cherished focal point for recreation, tourism, and community pride, and safeguarding it is a shared responsibility. The Town of Mina and FLWF, a volunteer-led nonprofit, have built a strong partnership dedicated to maintaining the lake’s health and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
We kicked-off the conversation with a question for Rebecca:
Rebecca continues: “As part of our 2024 Comprehensive Plan, the Town of Mina identified four core community values that guide our decision-making, with our top priority being Findley Lake!
The lake is the heart of our community. Ensuring it remains clean, beautiful, and accessible for recreation and overall enjoyment is essential to our identity. That’s why we work so closely with FLWF. During the comprehensive planning process, FLWF developed a Lake Management Plan, which now guides our environmental efforts.
Our second core value is economic development. Findley Lake is experiencing an exciting period of growth, with several initiatives underway, including a new warehouse distribution center, growing retail presence, and revitalization in the downtown area. It’s truly a renaissance moment for our community.
Third, we’re deeply committed to preserving and enhancing our community character. We value our rural lifestyle and are working to improve it with expanded trails, new boardwalks, and safer, more accessible green spaces for all to enjoy. And, our fourth core value centers on strengthening local government, becoming more efficient, effective, and responsive to the needs of our residents. We want people to feel heard, supported, and engaged in the future of our town.”
“FLWF was established in 2002, but our roots go back much further. Before that, our work was carried out by the Findley Lake Property Owners Association, which formed in the late 1940s after the lake was no longer needed as a power source for milling operations.
At that time, the lake and dam were donated by Larry Schwartz to a group of local, stewardship-minded residents. That group did the best they could with limited resources and knowledge. But as science, lake management practices, and environmental awareness progressed, so did our approach.
By transitioning to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2002, we were able to access grant funding and expand our work significantly. Since then, we’ve purchased weed harvesters, partnered with Princeton Hydro for lake studies, and supported major infrastructure projects like the new sewer system currently in development to address septic-related pollution.
We’ve also taken steps to reduce streambank erosion and manage phosphorus loading that affects lake oxygen levels. Our board is strong and diverse—we have dedicated members with the expertise needed to keep moving the organization and the lake forward. At our core, FLWF is committed to maintaining, enhancing, and improving the quality of Findley Lake and its watershed through science-based action and collaboration.”
Rebecca continues: “We’ve made significant strides in advancing the health of our local environment, thanks in part to support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). We’ve completed three DEC-funded studies that are guiding our next steps.
One study focused on culverts throughout the watershed with the goal of improving water flow and reducing flood risk. Every culvert was assessed to identify those that need repair or replacement. Another study analyzed stormwater runoff, identifying ten key inflow areas to Findley Lake where erosion and sedimentation pose potential threats. Each site was evaluated and prioritized, and we’ve since secured a DEC grant to address the highest-priority site. And, the third study explored in-lake nutrient control strategies, which laid the groundwork for our current partnership with Princeton Hydro on nutrient management efforts.
Beyond lake-focused work, we’re also committed to enhancing community access to nature. We’ve received support from Chautauqua County for efforts that will benefit both the environment and quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
“We first partnered with Princeton Hydro a few years ago when our board recognized the need for expert guidance on lake management. While we have a strong, professional board, we lacked the specialized knowledge in lake ecology and water quality science to move forward confidently with major decisions.
After researching several firms, we chose to bring Princeton Hydro on board to help us better understand nutrient dynamics in the lake. One of our key concerns was the persistent late-summer algae blooms, which we later learned were linked to phosphorus being released from the lake’s sediments.
Princeton Hydro conducted an in-lake nutrient study that clearly explained this internal loading process and helped us chart a path forward. Building on that work, we’re now working with the Princeton Hydro team on a bathymetric and sediment analysis to guide our next step, which will be to install an aeration system to reduce phosphorus release and improve water quality.
Princeton Hydro’s expertise has been instrumental in making complex science understandable and actionable, which has helped us take meaningful steps toward restoring the health of Findley Lake.”
Following Rebecca’s remarks, Ed adds: “I’d just like to echo what Rebecca said—the Princeton Hydro team we worked with this Spring was truly a pleasure to collaborate with. Their depth of knowledge was impressive, but just as important was their ability to communicate complex concepts in a way that was clear and easy for our board to understand. That kind of approachability made a big difference. It was a great experience working with them.”
“We’re always grateful for donations, they fuel much of what we do. But beyond financial support, one of the most valuable ways people can contribute is by sharing their experiences and ideas.
There are countless lakes and watershed organizations out there facing similar challenges, and many have come up with innovative, cost-effective solutions. We’re always eager to learn from others; whether it's a new technology, a successful restoration approach, or a creative funding strategy. Collaboration and information-sharing are incredibly powerful tools in watershed management. If you’ve worked on a similar issue or simply have ideas that could help, we’d love to hear from you. The more we connect and learn from each other, the better we can protect and improve Findley Lake for generations to come.”
Following Ed’s comments, Rebecca adds: “One of the things that makes the Town of Mina so special is the strong culture of volunteerism. We’re fortunate to have many residents, often individuals who’ve had professional careers elsewhere, who bring their skills, energy, and passion to our community.
Even though we’re a small town, we benefit from a wide network of nonprofit organizations and local initiatives. For example, the Findley Lake Nature Center is actively working on trail development, and there are many other opportunities for people to get involved in stewardship, whether it’s helping maintain green spaces, supporting water quality efforts, or sharing expertise on local projects.
What’s especially unique about our community is how welcoming we are. Newcomers don’t have to wait decades to feel at home here—they’re embraced right away, and their ideas are valued. That openness has really enhanced our ability to protect Findley Lake and strengthen the town as a whole.”
In the video below, Ed reflects on the strong sense of community in the Town of Mina and the local support that fuels the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Findley Lake:
After Ed’s remarks, Rebecca shares a few additional reflections: “One particularly meaningful designation we’ve received is from New York State, which has identified us as one of only two rural NORCs (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) out of 43 statewide. This designation recognizes our vibrant population of older adults and has allowed us to pursue new forms of support and services. We’re currently looking into developing a pocket neighborhood to help seniors remain in the community, where they continue to be active, involved, and deeply valued.
And here’s a fun fact that speaks to the energy of Findley Lake: it serves as the practice site for the women’s rowing team from Mercyhurst University, who happen to be the reigning national champions. Pretty cool, right?”
Yes, Rebecca, we think that’s very cool!
A heartfelt thank you to Rebecca and Ed for their partnership and for taking the time to speak with us to share their passion for protecting Findley Lake and strengthening the Town of Mina. Their leadership and collaboration exemplify the power of community-driven stewardship.
To learn more about their work and how you can get involved, we encourage you to visit the Town of Mina’s website and FLWF at findleylakewf.org.
Click here to read the previous edition of our Client Spotlight Series featuring Farmington River Watershed Association Executive Director Aimee Petras.
Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, Princeton Hydro President, has been honored with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the New Jersey Highlands Coalition. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to protecting and enhancing New Jersey’s environmental, cultural, and natural resources, with a particular focus on the Highlands region.
"It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the Highlands Coalition," said Geoffrey. "Protecting water resources and restoring critical habitats has always been at the core of what drives me, so it is deeply meaningful to be awarded by an organization that shares that same commitment."
A licensed Professional Engineer in nine states, Geoffrey has over 30 years of experience designing and implementing complex engineering projects that blend ecological restoration with innovative water resource solutions. He has led 50+ dam removals and hundreds of environmental restoration efforts across the Northeast—many of which have directly improved water quality, habitat connectivity, and ecological health within the Highlands region.
Geoffrey was recognized alongside fellow honoree Stuart Lieberman, Esq., founding partner of Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich, a law firm widely respected for its work in environmental and land use law. Stuart’s legal advocacy has advanced the protection of New Jersey’s natural landscapes, making him a well-deserving co-recipient of this year’s "Lifetime Achievement Award."
The awards were presented during the Highlands Coalition’s 10th Annual Golf Outing at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Warren County. Known for its eco-conscious design and innovative water management technologies, Hawk Pointe provides a fitting backdrop for a day focused on conservation. The outing featured 18 holes of golf, the Coalition’s signature “Empanadas on the Green,” a silent auction, and the celebratory luncheon awards ceremony. Several members of the Princeton Hydro team, a proud event sponsor, participated in the golf outing and the day's festivities.
The Highlands Coalition works to protect and conserve New Jersey's Highlands region to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come, and Princeton Hydro is honored to support their mission. For over a decade, the two organizations have partnered on regulatory compliance reviews, environmental impact analyses, stormwater management projects, and community-focused stewardship initiatives.
To learn more about the Highlands Coalition, click here. To learn more about Princeton Hydro's environmental restoration work in New Jersey, click here.
We are thrilled to announce that Warrington Township received the prestigious 2025 Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for the transformative ecological uplift initiative at Lion’s Pride Park—a collaborative restoration effort for which Princeton Hydro served as the design, regulatory, and construction administration lead.
Each year, the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) under the leadership of Governor Josh Shapiro, recognize innovative projects that demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental protection, climate resilience, community engagement, and sustainability. Winning projects are selected for their measurable environmental outcomes, creative approaches to conservation, and the strength of their partnerships. For 2025, only 19 projects across the entire Commonwealth were selected for this honor, highlighting the exceptional impact and innovation of each initiative.
In a press release, PADEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said, “The Environmental Excellence honorees embody the innovative thinking needed to protect our environment and shape a more sustainable future here in Pennsylvania. Together, we will spur the next generation of environmental stewards. These projects showcase our ability to work collaboratively to preserve and protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources.”
The Lion’s Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project stood out as a model of creative collaboration, forward-thinking design, and community engagement. This ambitious effort transformed an overgrown, flood-prone pond into a thriving, accessible wetland mosaic that now supports native biodiversity, mitigates stormwater impacts, and provides a wide range of environmental education and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Spanning 47 acres, Lion’s Pride Park serves as a vital green space for the Warrington Township community. However, the pond at the center of the park was affected by invasive species overgrowth, chronic flooding, and declining water quality.
To address these issues, Warrington Township and Warrington Environmental Advisory Council partnered with Princeton Hydro to develop and implement a comprehensive restoration strategy. Beginning in 2020, the team conducted detailed site investigations, including bathymetric surveys, sediment analysis, and wetland delineations to understand the site’s specific challenges and ecological potential.
The work culminated in the design and regulatory coordination of a restoration plan focused on converting the pond area into a biodiverse emergent wetland system. Some of the key project elements include:
Throughout the process, Princeton Hydro led the permitting and compliance efforts, securing approvals from PADEP, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and Bucks County Conservation District to ensure that the project met both ecological and regulatory standards.
Now, the revitalized wetland serves as a habitat haven for birds, pollinators, and native plant species; reduces nonpoint source pollutants discharged to downstream waters; and provides accessible pathways and observation platforms so all community members may learn from and enjoy this restored landscape. Click here to learn more about the Lion's Pride Park restoration effort.
On Tuesday, June 10, the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence was formally presented at a ceremony hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Attending on behalf of the project were Ivy Ross, member of the Warrington Township Environmental Advisory Council; Andy Oles, Parks and Recreation Director for Warrington Township; and Amy McNamara, EIT, CPESC, Water Resources Engineer and Engineering Services Technical Project Manager at Princeton Hydro. Their presence at the ceremony reflected the strong inter-agency collaboration and shared commitment that made this award-winning project possible.
“This project exemplifies how ecological restoration can do so much more than improve habitat—it can strengthen community resilience, foster environmental stewardship, and create lasting educational opportunities,” said McNamara. “We’re incredibly proud to have partnered with Warrington Township, the Advisory Council, and others to bring this vision to life, and are honored to see that work recognized at the state level.”
Pictured below from left to right: Ivy Ross Warrington Township Environmental Advisory Council; Andy Oles Warrington Township Parks and Recreation Director; Amy McNamara EIT, CPESC, Princeton Hydro Water Resource Engineer and Engineering Services Technical Project Manager.
Congratulations to Warrington Township and everyone who made the Lion’s Pride Park Ecological Restoration Project a success! And, thanks to Ivy Ross for providing great photos from the awards event.
Click here for more information and to read about all the award-winning projects selected for 2025. We invite you to explore the links below to learn more about the organizations that contributed to this effort:
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