Volunteer Appreciation 2006
As a non-profit organization with limited funding, the Great Swamp Watershed Association depends heavily on volunteers to help out with tasks ranging from clerical help, to event staffing, to trained environmental observers. We take time out at least once a year say thank you to those volunteers who give their time and expertise selflessly to our organization.
This year the Watershed Association held its annual Volunteer Dinner on Friday, June 2nd. With over 60 people in attendance, a good time was had by all. This year three volunteers were recognized as “Volunteers of the Year” by the Association and the Abigail Fair Good Government Award was presented to Senator Robert Martin.
Roger Edwards, a long time member of the Association and resident of Long Hill Township, was honored for his contributions to the organization in the areas of stream monitoring and development. Roger really helped out the Association this year when Stream Monitoring Specialist, Kelley Curran, went out on maternity leave to have her second daughter, Rory Elizabeth. Roger coordinated the activities of the stream team in Kelley’s absence and also completed a project that summarized the results of 10 years of stream monitoring data (entitled Water Quality in Loantaka Brook Headwaters). Roger has also been a long time member of the Development Committee where he has helped write numerous grants and participated in other fundraising initiatives.
Blaine Rothhauser, a naturalist and environmental consultant, was also honored for his continuing contributions to the organization. Since 1996, Blaine has contributed his talents as a photographer and naturalist to the organization many times over. Whether its supervising corporate volunteers at the Association’s conservation management area, providing input into the direction of our habitat restoration project, leading a tour for members, or allowing the Association to make use of his incredible photographs, Blaine has been a steadfast volunteer who has helped make the Association what it is today.
The third volunteer to be honored at this year’s Dinner was Ellen Drury. Ellen came to us in 2005 with some time on her hands and a desire to contribute meaningfully to our organization. With her experience in the media industry, she quickly became an invaluable resource as she spearheaded the organization’s publicity of the Jockey Hollow Challenge Professional Bike Race. Ellen also spent countless hours stuffing envelopes for mailings, contacting lapsed members and researching other projects. However, her favorite volunteer activity at the Association was stream monitoring. Ellen quickly became a dedicated member of the Stream Team, taking water quality samples and updating the Association’s water quality information. Unfortunately for us, Ellen discovered that she truly missed working in the media industry and decided to return to her roots in April of 2006 where she became the Senior Vice President and Director of local TV and radio investments for Publicis Groupe’s Optimedia. We wish Ellen continued success in her new position and want her to know that there will always be a place for her at the Great Swamp Watershed Association!
Senator Robert Martin receives his Abigail Fair Good Government Award from its namesake, Abbie Fair.
Senator Robert Martin received the Abigail Fair Good Government Award and was honored for his on-going support of environmental causes, most importantly his support of the Highlands Act. In an era of increasing concern about water resources, Senator Martin also sponsored the “New Jersey Clean Water, Drought Mitigation and Water Resource Security Trust Fund Act”, a funding mechanism for future water resource issues. He is a Professor of Law & Director of the Center of State and Local Government Law at Seton Hall Law School.
Julia Somers looks on as Board Vice-Chairman David Budd thanks her for her 14 years of service to the Watershed Association.
The evening would not have been complete without an opportunity for the staff and volunteers of the Great Swamp Watershed Association to say goodbye to long time Executive Director, Julia Somers. Vice Chairman David Budd had many kind things to say about Julia and her many contributions to the organization during her 14 years. She will be greatly missed but always fondly remembered! She was presented with a metal sculpture of the Association’s symbol, a heron, in appreciation of her work at the Great Swamp Watershed Association. We wish Julia success in her new role as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition.