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From educational gatherings and technical workshops to family-friendly festivals, this year's Summer Events Spotlight offers something for everyone. Read on for event details and registration links. June 3: Pinelands Science Forum 2026 Pinelands Alliance will host its 4th Annual Pinelands Science Forum from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, in their newly renovated, historic dairy barn. This year’s theme, “Water: The Lifeblood of the Pines,” will explore the hydrology of South Jersey, future climate impact projections, and the rich aquatic biodiversity supported by these systems, with a special focus on the Kirkwood‑Cohansey Aquifer. This abundant and distinctive aquifer supplies fresh drinking water to hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents and supports the globally unique habitats of the Pine Barrens. Princeton Hydro is proud to sponsor this event and participate in this important conversation. Get more info and register. June 10: AI/Automation Industry Day at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) New Jersey and Philadelphia Posts, in partnership with Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst (JBMDL), are hosting an in-person Industry Day on AI/Automation. The event will feature speakers from the U.S. Coast Guard, Small Business Administration, JBMDL Civil Engineering Office, and industry organizations, sharing practical insights, case studies, and forward-thinking strategies on integrating AI into A/E/C practices. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with federal government representatives and industry leaders. Princeton Hydro is sponsoring the event, and Director of Marketing and Communications Dana Patterson Grear will facilitate a panel discussion. Get more info and register. June 10: 2026 NJ Climate Change Research Symposium The NJ Climate Change Resource Center will host the 2026 NJ Climate Change Research Symposium at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ on June 10. This one-day event will highlight the latest research across natural and social science, economics, engineering, and policy, advancing climate change understanding, evaluation, and response in New Jersey while fostering a collaborative research community. Princeton Hydro Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services, Dr. Fred Lubnow, will lead a workshop on incorporating climate change and resilience into lake management planning. Get more info and register. June 12: Native Plant Conference The Native Plant Conference at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pennsylvania, offers a full day of learning and inspiration in an idea setting: a 134-acre haven dedicated to native plants and biodiversity. Formerly known as the Land Ethics Symposium, the event brings together a diverse audience of landscape professionals, educators, students, homeowners, and sustainability advocates for expert-led sessions and a highly anticipated keynote. Attendees will gain practical and innovative insights on creating ecologically sound, economically viable landscapes using native plants and sustainable practices. Princeton Hydro is proud to sponsor this year’s event and hope to see you there! Get more info and register. June 13: Moorestown Paddle Board Kayak Race The 8th Annual Moorestown Paddle Board & Kayak Race and Family Festival takes place June 13 at Strawbridge Lake in Moorestown, NJ, offering a full day of fun on the water from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by the Strawbridge Lake Beautification Committee and sponsored in part by Princeton Hydro, this community-driven fundraiser supports ongoing lake improvements, including new kayak launches, a pollinator garden, and expanded recreational access. Participants can choose from 1-, 2-, and 4-mile race options, or take part in the crowd-favorite cardboard-and-duct-tape boat building challenge. Open to all ages and skill levels, the event combines friendly competition with family activities, all while raising funds that go directly toward enhancing and preserving Strawbridge Lake, a valued community resource. Get more info and register. July 13: 2026 NJ/NYC SAME Post Scholarship Golf Outing Join the SAME New Jersey and New York City Posts for their annual Scholarship Golf Outing, a signature event dedicated to supporting the SAME scholarship program and helping students offset rising tuition costs. The outing will be held at Picatinny Golf Club in Dover, New Jersey. The day kicks off at 8:00 AM with breakfast, followed by a 10:00 AM shotgun start for 18 holes of golf. Attendees can wrap up the day with happy hour and a BBQ dinner. Princeton Hydro is proud to be part of this meaningful event: Chief Operating Officer Megan Hunter Ruf serves on the planning committee, and our team looks forward to attending. Please note: Registration is required by July 7. We hope to see you there! Get more info and register. Cover photo by Princeton Hydro Vice President Mark Gallagher. The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are known for their vibrant blue-gray plumage and distinctive calls. Their presence in the summer months marks the arrival of these energetic birds in their breeding range, which includes the eastern and southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are also the northernmost-occurring species of their genus and are the only truly migratory gnatcatcher. Their role in the ecosystem as insectivores, contributes to the balance of their habitats. [post_title] => Summer Events Spotlight: Community Gatherings & Educational Opportunities [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => summer-events-spotlight-community-gatherings-educational-opportunities [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-05-22 16:18:15 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-05-22 16:18:15 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=19788 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 19654 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2026-05-04 18:32:16 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-05-04 18:32:16 [post_content] => Conservation professionals, land stewards, and researchers from across New Jersey gathered for the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team Conference, the most comprehensive statewide forum dedicated to invasive species management. The conference was presented by Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS), an accredited nonprofit land trust committed to land protection, resource conservation, and community engagement. The conference was held at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake, which provided an ideal backdrop for a day focused on protecting New Jersey’s natural landscapes. The conference, which Princeton Hydro was proud to sponsor, included exhibitor tables, networking opportunities, and a variety of presentations. The day kicked off with welcome remarks from Jenn Rogers, Executive Director of FoHVOS, and representatives from Mercer County Parks. Educational sessions throughout the day explored the dynamic and evolving challenges facing New Jersey’s ecosystems, cutting-edge academic research, and practical, field-based solutions for mitigating invasive species:
Summer is on the horizon, and with it comes a season full of opportunities to get outside, connect with the community, and celebrate the places and causes that matter most. From educational gatherings and technical workshops to family-friendly festivals, this year's Summer Events Spotlight offers something for everyone. Read on for event details and registration links.
Pinelands Alliance will host its 4th Annual Pinelands Science Forum from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, in their newly renovated, historic dairy barn. This year’s theme, “Water: The Lifeblood of the Pines,” will explore the hydrology of South Jersey, future climate impact projections, and the rich aquatic biodiversity supported by these systems, with a special focus on the Kirkwood‑Cohansey Aquifer. This abundant and distinctive aquifer supplies fresh drinking water to hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents and supports the globally unique habitats of the Pine Barrens. Princeton Hydro is proud to sponsor this event and participate in this important conversation.
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) New Jersey and Philadelphia Posts, in partnership with Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst (JBMDL), are hosting an in-person Industry Day on AI/Automation. The event will feature speakers from the U.S. Coast Guard, Small Business Administration, JBMDL Civil Engineering Office, and industry organizations, sharing practical insights, case studies, and forward-thinking strategies on integrating AI into A/E/C practices. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with federal government representatives and industry leaders. Princeton Hydro is sponsoring the event, and Director of Marketing and Communications Dana Patterson Grear will facilitate a panel discussion.
The NJ Climate Change Resource Center will host the 2026 NJ Climate Change Research Symposium at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ on June 10. This one-day event will highlight the latest research across natural and social science, economics, engineering, and policy, advancing climate change understanding, evaluation, and response in New Jersey while fostering a collaborative research community. Princeton Hydro Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services, Dr. Fred Lubnow, will lead a workshop on incorporating climate change and resilience into lake management planning.
The Native Plant Conference at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pennsylvania, offers a full day of learning and inspiration in an idea setting: a 134-acre haven dedicated to native plants and biodiversity. Formerly known as the Land Ethics Symposium, the event brings together a diverse audience of landscape professionals, educators, students, homeowners, and sustainability advocates for expert-led sessions and a highly anticipated keynote. Attendees will gain practical and innovative insights on creating ecologically sound, economically viable landscapes using native plants and sustainable practices. Princeton Hydro is proud to sponsor this year’s event and hope to see you there!
The 8th Annual Moorestown Paddle Board & Kayak Race and Family Festival takes place June 13 at Strawbridge Lake in Moorestown, NJ, offering a full day of fun on the water from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by the Strawbridge Lake Beautification Committee and sponsored in part by Princeton Hydro, this community-driven fundraiser supports ongoing lake improvements, including new kayak launches, a pollinator garden, and expanded recreational access. Participants can choose from 1-, 2-, and 4-mile race options, or take part in the crowd-favorite cardboard-and-duct-tape boat building challenge. Open to all ages and skill levels, the event combines friendly competition with family activities, all while raising funds that go directly toward enhancing and preserving Strawbridge Lake, a valued community resource.
Join the SAME New Jersey and New York City Posts for their annual Scholarship Golf Outing, a signature event dedicated to supporting the SAME scholarship program and helping students offset rising tuition costs. The outing will be held at Picatinny Golf Club in Dover, New Jersey. The day kicks off at 8:00 AM with breakfast, followed by a 10:00 AM shotgun start for 18 holes of golf. Attendees can wrap up the day with happy hour and a BBQ dinner. Princeton Hydro is proud to be part of this meaningful event: Chief Operating Officer Megan Hunter Ruf serves on the planning committee, and our team looks forward to attending. Please note: Registration is required by July 7. We hope to see you there!
Conservation professionals, land stewards, and researchers from across New Jersey gathered for the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team Conference, the most comprehensive statewide forum dedicated to invasive species management. The conference was presented by Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS), an accredited nonprofit land trust committed to land protection, resource conservation, and community engagement.
The conference was held at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake, which provided an ideal backdrop for a day focused on protecting New Jersey’s natural landscapes. The conference, which Princeton Hydro was proud to sponsor, included exhibitor tables, networking opportunities, and a variety of presentations. The day kicked off with welcome remarks from Jenn Rogers, Executive Director of FoHVOS, and representatives from Mercer County Parks. Educational sessions throughout the day explored the dynamic and evolving challenges facing New Jersey’s ecosystems, cutting-edge academic research, and practical, field-based solutions for mitigating invasive species:
Native to the Yangtze and Amur River basins in China, the silty pond mussel (Sinanodonta woodiana) is a highly invasive freshwater species that has spread worldwide, often without detection. Its life cycle makes early identification especially difficult: microscopic larvae, known as glochidia, attach to the gills of host fish, allowing the mussel to move unnoticed through connected waterways and establish new populations far from their point of origin.
This stealthy mode of transport is believed to be how the silty pond mussel arrived in the United States. The species was first documented in 2010, when it was discovered in New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s Wickecheoke Creek Preserve, which previously operated as a fish farm and is now protected land. Although the mussel had likely been present for several years, its absence from North American records meant it went undetected until genetic confirmation was completed. Investigations identified invasive bighead carp imported for aquaculture as the most likely pathway of introduction.
The discovery raised immediate concern because of the preserve’s ecological significance. Located in Hunterdon County, the Preserve supports nearly 400 native plant species and 14 miles of high‑quality streams. It sits at the headwaters of Wickecheoke Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River that connects to the Delaware and Raritan Canal, part of a drinking water system serving approximately one million New Jersey residents.
Once established, silty pond mussels can overwhelm aquatic ecosystems. During the presentation, Scott Churm and Dr. Emile DeVito explained that invasive mussels may account for over 75% of total benthic biomass in affected waterbodies. Such dominance can disrupt food webs by outcompeting native mussels; harm fish when larvae attach to their gills, sometimes triggering fatal biological responses; reduce biodiversity; and alter water chemistry, ultimately degrading habitat quality for both plants and animals.
Following the initial discovery of the silty pond mussel, testing conducted by the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team, the New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Species Program, and the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences confirmed the presence of this invasive species. With confirmation in hand, early eradication efforts began, centered on careful detection and sustained monitoring to better understand the scope of the infestation.
To assess the extent of the mussel’s presence, response teams combined traditional field surveys with advanced scientific techniques. This integrated approach included SCUBA and snorkel surveys, physical sampling of mussels and stream substrates, and environmental DNA (eDNA) testing, which detects trace genetic material released by organisms into the water and allows scientists to identify species that may not yet be visible during field inspections.
Together, these methods made it possible to find both established populations and early-stage infestations. In 2021, researchers applied highly sensitive genetic markers developed by Rutgers University to determine whether the silty pond mussel had escaped the former aquaculture ponds and spread into surrounding waterways. Initial eDNA sampling focused on Wickecheoke Creek Preserve, where testing provided a clearer picture of the species’ distribution and helped validate findings from visual surveys.
Monitoring efforts later expanded beyond the preserve. In 2021 and 2022, water samples collected from the Raritan River at the confluence of the Millstone and Raritan Rivers produced positive eDNA detections for silty pond mussel. These results pointed to the potential presence of a population within the Raritan River Watershed and highlighted the need for a rapid, coordinated response to prevent further spread.
Together, these methods made it possible to identify both established populations and early-stage infestations. Initial eDNA sampling focused on the preserve, where testing provided a clearer picture of the species’ distribution and helped confirm results from visual surveys. Based on those findings, monitoring efforts expanded to connected waterways where the researchers applied highly sensitive genetic markers developed by Rutgers University to determine whether the silty pond mussel had escaped the former aquaculture ponds and spread beyond Wickecheoke Creek Preserve. In 2021 and 2022, water samples collected from the Raritan River at the confluence of the Millstone and Raritan Rivers yielded positive eDNA detections for silty pond mussel. These results indicated the possible presence of a population within the Raritan River watershed and reinforced the need for a rapid, coordinated response to limit further spread.
Eradication efforts at Wickecheoke Creek Preserve began with extensive planning and regulatory review to ensure treatments would be both effective and protective of surrounding ecosystems. Before field work could proceed, the project team secured all required state permits, verified pond depth and water volume to calculate precise treatment dosages, posted public notices and signage throughout the site, and established protocols for daily safety briefings and site inspections. This preparation ensured the project was conducted safely, transparently, and in full compliance with permit requirements.
Following this approval phase, Princeton Hydro’s licensed applicators, working closely with SePRO and project partners, implemented a targeted treatment using Natrix®, an EPA-registered chelated copper pesticide formulated specifically for invasive mollusk control. Treatments were designed to maintain copper concentrations at 1 part per million for a minimum of 96 hours. To ensure consistent and accurate dosing, water samples were collected and analyzed twice daily at an onsite laboratory throughout the treatment period.
This work is part of an adaptive, science-driven eradication strategy that depends on clear roles and close collaboration among partners. The approach is both preventative and responsive, allowing the team to adjust tactics based on monitoring results and site conditions. The project is supported by funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Delaware River Greenway Partnership through the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic Program.
Looking ahead, the work at Wickecheoke Creek Preserve reflects the themes emphasized by Scott and Emile during their presentation: the importance of early detection, scientific innovation, and coordinated response in addressing invasive species. Continued collaboration among scientists, agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities strengthens the ability to respond quickly and adaptively, while education and public awareness support long-term prevention. Together, these efforts contribute to the protection of native species and freshwater systems and support the ongoing stewardship of our natural spaces.
This Earth Day, students from Foundation Academy Collegiate in Trenton, NJ took their learning beyond the classroom through an immersive placemaking workshop hosted by Princeton Hydro. Designed as a real‑world, community‑based challenge, the experience invited students to reimagine a section of Trenton currently under study as part of the proposed Route 29 relocation project, which aims to reconnect the community to the Delaware River.
The goal was simple but powerful: give students a firsthand look at how planning, engineering, and community engagement shape the places they live, and let them experience those processes in action.
To start the workshop, students explored the basics of land use, Trenton’s development history, and the many steps that go into shaping an engineering project. They learned how planning, engineering design, permitting, construction, funding, and community engagement all work together to influence what gets built and why. With support from the "experts," they analyzed printed maps and photos of the selected site, identifying existing conditions and imagining what could be improved.
Once the activity began, the room quickly transformed into a bustling design studio. Each group received a large map of the site and a spread of crafting materials like blocks, clay, paper, and markers. From there, they built their vision for a future Trenton.
Some groups focused on green space and walkability. Others imagined mixed‑use corridors, safer crossings, or new community gathering areas. A few even experimented with stormwater‑friendly designs, weaving in concepts they had learned earlier in the session.
Throughout the activity, the "experts" from Princeton Hydro including an Engineer, Environmental Scientist, Grant Writer, Communications Specialist, Landscape Architect, and Wildlife Biologist, moved between tables, answering questions, offering technical insight, and encouraging students to think about how different stakeholders might view the same space. Residents, businesses, commuters, environmental groups, and city officials all bring different priorities to the table, and the students quickly discovered how complex those perspectives can be. The students were challenged with questions like "How are you going to fund this project?" "What's your engagement strategy to sell this to your peers?" and "How are you going to manage potential flooding from the river or stormwater in the park?"
Becky Taylor, a longtime Trenton advocate, co‑chair of the Cadwalader Park Alliance, and leader of Trenton Walks! also joined the teaching team for the day. Her work supporting Cadwalader Park’s restoration and experience leading dozens of walks throughout the City has connected her deeply with residents across the city. She is a strategic public affairs executive and small business owner, so as she engaged with students, she encouraged them to think about how public spaces carry history, identity, and community memory, and how thoughtful design can help strengthen those connections.
The students also learned something planners and engineers know well: There is rarely a single right answer. Every design choice involves tradeoffs, and every community space should reflect the values of the people who help shape it.
After building their models, each group presented their development plan to the room as if they were selling their vision to their local community in a public meeting. They explained their design choices, highlighted community needs, and described how their ideas could improve quality of life for residents.
The presentations were thoughtful, creative, and deeply rooted in the students’ lived experience. Many spoke about wanting safer streets, more places to gather, and greener, more welcoming public spaces. Others emphasized the importance of honoring Trenton’s history while planning for its future. They designed features such as a flower garden, a pier for fishing, a stormwater park, wildlife habitat, sports fields, and a kid's playground. One group proposed to elevate the new Route 29 so that the community could walk directly from downtown to their new riverfront park without safety issues of crossing a road. Another group deemed the waterfront development "Trenton 2.0" with trees lining the riverfront, renewable wind energy, and raised housing.
For our team, this workshop reinforced what we already know to be true: youth engagement in STEAM education matters. Young people notice how a place feels to move through, where it feels safe or unsafe, and what kinds of spaces are missing in their daily lives. When given the tools, they articulate those needs with confidence. They also tend to think collaboratively, naturally considering community needs alongside their own.
By learning how land use works and seeing the steps behind planning and development, students begin to understand how decisions are made and how those decisions affect the character of their neighborhoods. Most importantly, they start to see themselves as active participants in shaping their city rather than passive observers. Their insights help ground planning conversations in lived experience, and their voices strengthen the long‑term vision for any community project.
We are grateful to Foundation Academies for spending Earth Day with us and for bringing their energy and insight to this design challenge. As the Route 29 relocation/waterfront study continues, we remain committed to creating opportunities for meaningful participation, especially from young people who will inherit the outcomes of today’s planning decisions.
Dr. Fred Lubnow, Princeton Hydro's Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services, and Jenn Rogers, Executive Director of Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS), were recently featured on the Native Plants, Healthy Planet podcast to discuss the collaborative, first‑of‑its‑kind initiative to monitor Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the Delaware River Watershed using drones, spatial analysis, and community science.
The Delaware River is a lifeline for more than 14 million people, a refuge for wildlife, and a defining natural feature of the region. In recent years, HABs, once confined mostly to lakes and ponds, have expanded into streams and rivers and appearing in colder months. Understanding why this shift is happening, and how to predict it, is essential for protecting water quality, public health, and ecological resilience within the Delaware River watershed and watersheds nationwide.
The podcast, hosted by Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick of Pinelands Nursey, highlights the urgency of addressing HABs and the innovative, cross‑sector partnership driving this work forward. Listen now: Harmful Algal Blooms with Dr. Fred Lubnow and Jenn Rogers.
Jenn Rogers, Executive Director of FoHVOS, brings two decades of conservation leadership to the partnership. Her background spans naturalist education, ecological stewardship, and the development of large-scale restoration and public engagement programs. During her fourteen years with the Mercer County Park Commission, she helped establish both the Environmental Education and Stewardship Departments and oversaw the care of more than ten thousand acres of parkland.
Jenn has spent her career building programs that connect people to the landscapes around them. Her commitment to community-driven conservation make her a key partner in a project that relies on both scientific rigor and public participation. Her perspective highlights how land use, watershed health, and community stewardship are deeply interconnected.
Dr. Fred Lubnow serves as Princeton Hydro’s Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services and brings more than 30 years of experience in limnology, watershed restoration, and community and ecosystem ecology. His career has focused on understanding how freshwater systems respond to nutrient loading, hydrologic change, and long-term environmental pressures. He has designed and led numerous lake and watershed restoration projects, developed USEPA Nine-Element and TMDL-driven watershed plans, and created field-based cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin monitoring programs that are now used across the region.
Fred’s expertise in the taxonomy, ecology, and management of algae, particularly cyanobacteria, has made him a leading voice in the study of HABs. He currently serves on New Jersey’s HABs Advisory Team, where he helps interpret water quality data and advises on mitigation strategies. His scientific leadership guides the technical design and implementation of the Delaware River HAB monitoring initiative.
Now entering its second year, the Delaware River HAB monitoring initiative is expanding both its scientific scope and its community engagement efforts. Building on the foundation established in 2025, the project team is conducting multi‑season drone flights, enhanced satellite‑based surveys, and targeted on‑the‑water sampling along 73 miles of the Delaware River and 24 connected waterbodies. These efforts are designed to strengthen the project’s ability to detect and forecast HABs under a wide range of seasonal and environmental conditions.
Year two also introduces several tools and activities intended to support broader participation and more efficient data collection. This includes the launch of a new ArcSurvey123 mobile data platform to support real‑time volunteer water quality submissions, as well as expanded training opportunities for community members interested in assisting with field sampling. Data collected through these efforts will contribute to the development of advanced algorithms capable of forecasting HAB occurrence at multiple spatial scales.
Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's (NFWF) Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF), in partnership with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the project continues to be supported by a diverse network of partners across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including The City University of New York's (CUNY) New York City College of Technology (City Tech), Trenton Water Works, Mercer County Park Commission, The College of New Jersey, Aqua-PA, Philadelphia Water Department, Bucks County Conservation District, Turner Designs, and US Army Corps of Engineers - Philadelphia District's Blue Marsh Lake. Together, these organizations contribute technical expertise, watershed knowledge, and crucial on‑the‑ground support. This collaborative approach remains central to the initiative’s success and long‑term objective: establishing a scalable HAB‑forecasting framework that can ultimately be applied to additional watersheds across the United States.
For a deeper look at the research, partnerships, and shared commitment behind this initiative, listen to the full Native Plants, Healthy Planet podcast presented by Pinelands Nursery. Click here to learn more about the Pinelands Nursery and explore the full library of Native Plants, Healthy Planet podcasts. If you're interested in getting involved in the Delaware River HAB research initiative, the program is currently seeking volunteers for water sampling along the Delaware and select waterbodies. Contact FoHVOS Conservation Biologist Kaitlin Muccio at: kmuccio@fohvos.org for more details.
Princeton Hydro is proud to announce our work with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) at South Cape May Meadows Preserve received the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (NJASLA) Honor Award in the Landscape Architectural Design: Site Design category.
The award recognizes the Boardwalk Trail, a newly created half‑mile universally accessible route that offers visitors an immersive experience through one of the region’s most ecologically significant landscapes. Commissioned by TNC, the project was envisioned to provide inclusive public access and environmental education while safeguarding a fragile ecosystem that serves as a vital stopover along the Atlantic Flyway.
Award winners were celebrated during the NJASLA design Awards Program at Harrah's in Atlantic City. Landscape Architect Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP of Princeton Hydro, who served as both lead designer and project manager, accepted the award.
The South Cape May Meadows Boardwalk Trail sits within a 200-acre freshwater wetland estuary complex, a site historically restored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to function as a natural sponge—filtering runoff, storing stormwater, and supporting amphibians, aquatic plants, and migratory birds. Nestled between historic Cape May, Cape May Point, and the Delaware Bay-Atlantic Ocean shoreline, the preserve is framed by protective dunes and a rich mosaic of sensitive habitat.
Designing a public trail within such a dynamic wetland required a careful balance of human experience and habitat preservation. The project’s goal: create an inviting, educational, and fully accessible route without disturbing critical hydrology, soils, or wildlife.
Wetlands present a unique set of constraints, including seasonal water fluctuations, soft soils, sensitive habitat, and tight regulatory requirements. Traditional construction methods and materials risked unnecessary disturbance and long‑term maintenance issues, making innovation essential.
To minimize impacts, the design team utilized helical pile foundations installed with lightweight equipment. This allowed the boardwalk to be constructed from the top down, significantly reducing ground disturbance. Material selections, such as recycled plastic deck boards, anodized aluminum structural components, and stainless‑steel fasteners, were chosen for their durability and resilience in the harsh coastal environment.
The result is a low‑impact, elevated boardwalk that blends seamlessly into the landscape, allowing visitors to experience the wetland’s seasonal rhythms while deepening their understanding of its ecosystems, preserving ecological function, and ultimately serving as a model for sustainable recreation in sensitive environments.
The NJASLA Design Awards Program "highlights exemplary works of landscape architecture and brings recognition to organizations and individuals who demonstrate superior skill in the practice and study of landscape architecture." Each year, the NJASLA Design Awards Program is juried by a sibling ASLA chapter; this year’s jury consisted of selected members of the Arizona ASLA Chapter, who evaluated submissions based on design excellence, innovation, and alignment with professional standards.
This year’s NJASLA Design Awards program featured 17 entries, with only nine receiving awards: one Chapter award, three Honor awards, and five Merit awards. Entrants must be full or associate ASLA members, and submissions are evaluated on strict criteria that reflect the organization’s mission to elevate professional standards and expand public awareness of landscape architecture. In addition to being showcased during the awards celebration, award winners will be featured in upcoming NJASLA newsletters, on the chapter website, and in event displays promoting excellence in landscape architecture across New Jersey.
To learn more about NJASLA and this year's award-winning projects, go here. To learn more about the South Cape May Meadows Preserve and our work with TNC to create a space where people of all abilities can enjoy nature, reflect, and find peace, go here.
Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS), in partnership with Princeton Hydro, has launched a groundbreaking initiative, “Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the Delaware River Watershed Using Drones and Spatial Analysis,” to improve understanding and forecasting of HABs throughout the Delaware River Watershed. Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF), the project leverages drone technology and advanced data modeling to identify environmental conditions that contribute to HAB formation and aims to develop tools and methodologies for early detection and management.
For this innovative research project, FoHVOS, a 501(c)3 and accredited Land Trust located in Hopewell Township, NJ, has teamed with Princeton Hydro. Princeton Hydro conceptualized and designed the initiative and is leading the technical implementation, including field survey design, drone operations, data analysis, and volunteer training.
“The Delaware River is central to Hopewell Valley’s identity. It shapes our way of life, supplies drinking water to 14.2 million people, shelters wildlife like the endangered Atlantic sturgeon, and offers abundant outdoor recreation,” said Jennifer Rogers, Executive Director of FoHVOS. “HABs were once confined to ponds and lakes, but since 2018, they’ve appeared in colder months and spread to streams and rivers. Though land trusts traditionally focus on land, HABs show how land use directly affects water. These blooms often stem from excess nitrogen and phosphorus washed into waterways during storms. Protecting water means restoring land. Our partnership with Princeton Hydro aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we’re working to better understand and safeguard the Delaware River and its tributaries in both NJ and PA.”
HABs, caused by nuisance growth of cyanobacteria, can have detrimental effects on water quality and are a growing environmental concern nationwide. These blooms deplete oxygen levels, release toxins, and disrupt ecosystems, potentially posing serious risks to drinking water supplies and the health of wildlife, pets, humans, and local economies. Despite advances in environmental monitoring, predicting when and where HABs will occur remains a challenge due to the complex interplay of nutrient loading, temperature, and hydrologic conditions that can lead to rapid bloom proliferation.
To address these challenges, this newly launched initiative integrates drone-based remote sensing, field sampling, and spatial data analysis to collect and interpret detailed environmental data over a two-year period. The study spans multiple monitoring sites along a 73-mile stretch of the Delaware River in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, focusing on near-shore sections and 23 associated waterbodies. The first survey event began in August 2025.
Drones equipped with multispectral imaging systems capture high-resolution spatial data that is then integrated with digital platforms to link remote-sensing with the drone data and on-the-water collected data. The field-based water quality measurements are being collected by a team of trained community volunteers who are using phycocyanin fluorometer meters to measure concentrations of the photosynthetic pigment phycocyanin, which is produced primarily by cyanobacteria. Volunteers enter the data into a customized ArcGIS mobile-friendly survey. These combined datasets will be used to develop and validate predictive algorithms for both planktonic and benthic HABs under varying seasonal and hydrologic conditions.
The following photos depict the RGB (Visual) and corresponding Thermal image from the monitoring flights over Spring Lake in New Jersey:
“This research project represents a major step forward in how we study and manage harmful algal blooms at the watershed scale,” said Dr. Fred Lubnow, Project Lead and Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services at Princeton Hydro. “By integrating satellite data, drone imagery, and on-the-water sampling, we’re developing predictive tools that will enable us take a proactive approach to mitigate HABs, improve response time, and better support our ecosystem health.”
Project partners include New York City College of Technology – The City University of New York, which donated the drone and is supporting remote sensing and data integration; Trenton Water Works, Mercer County Park Commission, and The College of New Jersey which are providing monitoring sites and contributing volunteers for water quality data collection in New Jersey; Aqua-PA and the Philadelphia Water Department, which are providing monitoring sites and volunteers to collect watershed data in Pennsylvania; the Bucks County Conservation District, which is coordinating volunteer data collection; and Turner Designs, whose advanced phycocyanin sensors are being used to calibrate and validate drone-based monitoring data.
In the photos below, volunteers are being trained by Princeton Hydro staff on how to use phycocyanin fluorometers and Secchi disks to gather water quality data and log their findings.
This $1M project is funded through a $488,400 NFWF DWCF grant as part of the NFWF’s Research, Monitoring, & Evaluation Grant category and $513,700 in matching funds from project partners. This grant category aims to support high-performing science that is inclusive, adaptive, and innovative, with the potential to transform the Delaware River Watershed’s future through improved conservation, restoration, and public engagement.
Once complete, the project will produce a comprehensive report summarizing methods, analyses, and data-driven recommendations for practical, low-cost HAB monitoring and mitigation strategies that can be replicated across the Delaware River Watershed and beyond. Crucially, the report will identify tributaries and sources contributing to riverine HABs, enabling targeted restoration of the most affected lands and waters. Data collection will continue through Fall 2025, resume in Spring/Summer 2026, and culminate in a final report expected in 2027.
FoHVOS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit land trust dedicated to conserving the natural resources of the Hopewell Valley region and beyond. Through land preservation, ecological restoration, community engagement, and science-driven initiatives, FoHVOS works to protect and enhance open spaces for future generations. Learn more at www.fohvos.org.
Princeton Hydro is committed to improving our ecosystems, quality of life, and communities for the better. The firm was formed in 1998 with the specific mission of providing integrated ecological and engineering consulting services. Offering expertise in natural resource management, water resources engineering, geotechnical design and investigation, and regulatory compliance, their staff provide a full suite of environmental services throughout the Northeast for the public and private sectors. Project Lead, Dr. Fred Lubnow, is an expert in HAB management and has worked with dozens of lake associations and government agencies to restore lakes, manage watersheds, reduce pollutant loading, address invasive aquatic plants, and mitigate nuisance HABs. To learn more about Princeton Hydro's work to mitigate harmful algal blooms, go here.
We’re excited to announce Senior Wildlife Biologist and Ecologist Mike McGraw, CSE, QAWB, ACE is a co-author of a newly published study in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, a leading journal in agroecological research. The paper, “Is regenerative agriculture for the birds? Outcomes are practice and species specific,” offers fresh insight into how regenerative farming practices affect the abundance and diversity of bird species across working landscapes in the Northern Great Plains of the US and Canada.
The full paper is available for free via an open-access link until January 13. We encourage everyone interested in wildlife conservation, regenerative agriculture, or avian ecology to take advantage of this limited-time access. Click here to read it now.
Regenerative agriculture is often heralded as a win-win for soil health, productivity, and biodiversity, but how exactly do these practices affect bird communities? Birds are highly sensitive to agricultural change, and many North American species have experienced significant declines due to intensification of farming practices. The newly published study takes a closer, science-driven look at whether regenerative approaches can help reverse these trends.
Drawing on extensive point counts, distance sampling, and acoustic recording units across agricultural landscapes, the research team examined nine common regenerative practices, including cover cropping, integrating livestock, eliminating tillage, and enhancing field margins. Rather than assuming a blanket benefit, the study asked a nuanced question: Which birds benefit from which practices, and why?
This work helps refine what regenerative agriculture can contribute to working-lands conservation and provides actionable, species-specific insights for farmers, land managers, and conservation practitioners.
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment is a leading interdisciplinary journal that publishes high-impact research at the intersection of agroecology, land management, and environmental science. The journal focuses on how agricultural systems function, how they influence the environment, and how environmental change shapes those systems in return. Research featured in this publication is known for being data-rich, hypothesis-driven, and globally relevant.
This publication represents a collaborative effort among a team of researchers dedicated to understanding how regenerative agriculture shapes biodiversity in working landscapes. The authors contributed expertise in avian ecology, agricultural management, statistical analysis, and landscape science, bringing a multi-disciplinary lens to this important study.
Mike J. McGraw, CSE, QAWB, ACE, is a Senior Project Manager, Regulatory and Wildlife and Senior Wildlife Biologist and Ecologist, Regulatory and Wildlife with Princeton Hydro. He has over 20 years of experience designing and conducting ecological assessments and wildlife surveys across the United States and Canada. His work spans compliance-based assessments, regenerative agriculture research, long-term ecological monitoring, and conservation-focused outreach. Mike also teaches Avifaunal Ecology in the MES program at the University of Pennsylvania and serves on several municipal and land trust committees.
In addition to Mike, the paper was co-authored by the following contributors:
This publication reflects years of fieldwork, analysis, and collaboration—an accomplishment the entire Princeton Hydro team is proud to celebrate. Though Mike’s work has been published previously, this marks the first time his work appears in print under the Princeton Hydro affiliation, making it a particularly meaningful milestone for all of us.
In addition to his peer-reviewed work, Mike’s contributions to regenerative agriculture research are featured in “Roots So Deep,” a four-part documentary series about inventive farmers and maverick scientists working to solve climate change with hooves, heart, and soil.
Mike appears throughout the series, including Parts 1 & 4 which will be shown at the Newtown Theatre in Newtown, Pennsylvania, during a special Screening & Discussion event taking place on January 21 at 7pm. Following the film, Mike will join the post-screening panel to take part in the audience Q&A.
Don’t miss your chance to access Mike's full article for free through January 13. Explore the study and discover the latest insights into bird conservation and the role of regenerative agriculture. Click here to dive in.
Princeton Hydro was proud to participate in the New Jersey Association for Floodplain Management (NJAFM) 20th Annual Conference and Exhibition, held this fall in Atlantic City, NJ. Celebrating two decades of collaboration and innovation within the floodplain management community, the conference brought together more than 500 practitioners, researchers, agency staff, and industry leaders from across the Northeast.
As the region’s premier floodplain management event, the NJAFM conference serves as a hub for sharing cutting-edge tools, best practices, and real-world strategies that help communities reduce flood risk, adapt to changing climate conditions, and build long-term resilience. Over the course of two days, participants attended educational sessions, hands-on training, and networking events centered on the theme: “NJAFM at 20 Years: Celebrate the Past, Focus on the Future.”
Princeton Hydro was excited to return as a conference sponsor, exhibitor, and session presenter.
Floodplain management is a multidisciplinary practice that integrates planning, engineering, ecological science, and public policy to reduce flood risk while preserving the natural functions of riverine and coastal systems. At its core, it involves understanding how water moves across a landscape, identifying areas vulnerable to flooding, and implementing measures that protect people, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Floodplains provide a range of essential functions. Hydrologically, they convey, store, and infiltrate water during storm events, supporting natural flood attenuation, erosion control, and groundwater recharge. Ecologically, they contribute to biodiversity by providing habitat, migration corridors, and spawning areas for fish and wildlife. From a community perspective, well-managed floodplains can offer recreational value, improve water quality, and enhance the aesthetic and economic vitality of local neighborhoods.
Modern floodplain management relies on both structural and non-structural approaches. Structural measures may include engineered solutions such as levees, floodwalls, culvert improvements, or stormwater system upgrades. Non-structural tools often involve land-use planning, flood-resilient building standards, conservation of open space, and community engagement programs that help residents understand risk and adopt best practices.
Princeton Hydro works with municipalities, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and watershed groups to develop and implement comprehensive floodplain management strategies across the region, emphasizing strategies that balance flood risk reduction with ecological enhancement, ensuring that floodplain management supports both resilient communities and healthy, functioning watersheds.
Pictured above: before and after photos from the Floodplain Restoration and Urban Wetland Creation project in Bloomfield Township, New Jersey. By removing a little over four acres of upland historic fill in this densely developed area and converting it into 4.2 acres of a functioning floodplain wetland, the project restored valuable ecological functions, enhances wetland and riparian zone habitat, and increases flood storage capacity for urban stormwater runoff.
Our team led two workshops at the NJAFM 20th Annual Conference:
Christiana Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP, Princeton Hydro’s Director of Restoration and Resilience, presented on strategies to address chronic flooding and climate-driven impacts in Eastwick and Tinicum Township, Philadelphia. Her talk highlighted a two-year technical assessment commissioned by The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and led by Princeton Hydro. The project combines integrated field data collection, advanced hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and rigorous alternatives analysis to evaluate nature-based solutions. These include wetland creation or enhancement, stream and floodplain reconnection, and stormwater management retrofits, with the ultimate goal of restoring natural hydrologic function, reducing flood risk, and strengthening habitat and community resilience. Read more about the project here.
Elizabeth Treadway of WSP USA and Dr. Clay Emerson, PhD, PE, CFM, Senior Technical Director of Engineering at Princeton Hydro, led a session on the practical, legal, and financial considerations of establishing a stormwater utility, an increasingly vital tool for sustainable infrastructure funding. Participants learned:
The session also addressed common challenges such as aging infrastructure, rapid development, and the growing frequency of severe storm events driven by climate change. Stormwater feasibility studies were highlighted as a key resource for evaluating costs and benefits before moving forward.
Managing stormwater effectively is essential for resilient infrastructure and community safety. Click here to learn about a Stormwater Utility Investigation & Feasibility Study we conducted for the Town of Hammonton, New Jersey.
Throughout the conference, our team was able to connect with planners, municipal officials, engineers, and local leaders at our exhibitor booth. These conversations offered valuable opportunities to discuss project experiences, share resources, and learn from others working to advance resilience across New Jersey.
Princeton Hydro is proud to be part of this community and remains committed to advancing science-based, equitable, and sustainable approaches to reducing flood risk. We look forward to continuing our partnership with NJAFM and supporting clients and communities in building a safer, more resilient future.
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'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.
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