Across the Watershed - Winter 2001

Saturday, March 31, will mark the Watershed Association's 20th anniversary. On that date 20 years ago, GSWA was officially born, recognized by the state of NJ as a non-profit corporation.

Listed on the Certificate of Incorporation as the organization's first trustees were Selena (Sally) Dudley, Abigail Fair, Helen C. Fenske, Anne Gralla, Paul Hammann, Anne Lagos, W. Thomas Margetts, Anne Morris, Paul Wehn and Florence Zuck.

According to GSWA's Executive Director Julia M. Somers, the Watershed Association from its beginning was concerned with alerting its members, and local communities, to the impact of development on the watershed's fragile ecosystems.

Among its early accomplishments was the hosting in 1985 of a Great Swamp Wetlands Conference, which brought together federal, state and local officials, as well as scientists, lawyers and planners from across the country. That conference was instrumental in shaping the state of New Jersey's approach to environmental conservation, according to Somers.

The Association's focus broadened in the late 1980s with the sponsorship of a "Design Study of the Future of the Hickory Tree Center" and "Designing our Future," both aimed at preserving the character of local communities. GSWA also participated in the NJDEP's Great Swamp Watershed Advisory Committee, which proposed regional approaches to local environmental issues. Much of the Watershed Association's work today - its technical services, community services and educational services - is shaped by the Advisory Committee's recommendations, Somers said.

The Association's work was carried on entirely by volunteers until Lisa Butera, now GSWA's finance director, became a project director in 1991. At that time, there were fewer than 500 members and an annual operating budget of about $5,000. Today, there are six paid staff members (five of whom are part-time), about 2,500 members, and an annual budget approaching $450,000.

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