The Watershed Institute

10/14/2026

October is a month full of engaging events! From stormwater design webinars to nature walks, there’s something for everyone to learn and participate in. Explore Aldo Leopold's Big Woods with experts, and join our bilingual training sessions for green infrastructure. Don’t miss the chance to make a difference in your community!

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10/14/2026

Discover Aldo Leopold's Big Woods

October 17

10 - 11:15 a.m.

Rider University students and Dr. Daniel Druckenbrod will lead a walk along with Buddy Huffaker, Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, through the Big Woods. Aldo Leopold referred to these woods by name in his letters home while a student at the Lawrenceville School. The walk is co-sponsored by the Aldo Leopold Foundation, The Watershed Institute, Mercer County, Lawrence Township, and Rider University

This free program is rain or shine. Park in the large lot between the soccer field and tennis courts.

Register here:
https://ow.ly/8Z4g50ZXGew

10/14/2026

🌧️ Stormwater Design: Myths & Misconceptions 🌧️

Are you ready to rethink how we manage stormwater in New Jersey? Join us for a FREE, virtual Technical Fridays session on October 16 at 12 p.m. as we bust common myths and reveal the realities of stormwater design!

💡 Learn from top experts:
🔹 Dr. Clay H. Emerson, Senior Technical Director, Princeton Hydro
🔹 Gabe Mahon, Bureau Chief, NJDEP Division of Watershed Protection and Restoration
🔹 Moderated by Mike Pisauro, Esq., The Watershed Institute

Why attend?
✔️ Discover how climate change is reshaping rainfall and flooding in NJ
✔️ Get practical tips for engineers, planners, developers, and advocates
✔️ Understand the MS4 permit and how better designs can speed up approvals
✔️ Earn 1.5 PE & CFM CEUs (additional credits available for purchase)

This is your chance to ask questions, connect with peers, and make a real impact on your community’s water future. Can’t make it live? All registrants will receive the recording!

🔗 Register now—spaces are limited!
Questions? Contact Pri Oliveira at [email protected]

10/13/2026

🎃 It's our Halloween Hike's 10th anniversary, join us and step onto a lantern-lit trail and journey through an ancient Irish folktale! Along the path, you’ll meet live characters who bring to life the story of Stingy Jack - the clever trickster who inspired the very first Jack O’Lantern. It’s the perfect fall tradition for kids, parents, and anyone who loves a good story under the stars.

Not Too Scary - Just the Right Kind of Spooky!

Preregistration is open — spots fill fast!

Sign up here:
https://ow.ly/YYfN50ZBXWE

10/12/2026

🌿 FREE Bilingual Green Infrastructure Maintenance Training 🌿

We will be leading a hands-on training offered in both English and Spanish! Learn practical skills in green infrastructure and native plant garden maintenance that you can use in your work and bring to your clients, including:

🔍 Inspecting, caring for, and adaptively managing green infrastructure, including rain gardens and bioswales
🌱 Identifying native and invasive plants
🤲 Assessing soil texture by feel
🛠️ And more!

Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the training. Certified landscape crews will also be listed on our website and shared with our supporters.

📍 Location: The Watershed Institute, Pennington, New Jersey
📅 Date: Friday, October 30
⏰ Time: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
💲 Cost: FREE!

🔗 Register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=TMRryJDkQkakyZmshvEegZMg-QXCNcBCrfoFUdcn14xUQ1EzT1FHUE5GQkNNQjJJTk5XQTZaSDNUNi4u&route=shorturl

10/12/2026

As fall settles in, the American witch-hazel (Hamamelis sp.) starts explosively releasing its seeds in The Watershed Reserve. This native shrub of New Jersey develops brown seed pods during the summer. During the fall, these capsules dry out and build pressure, releasing small black seeds at speeds of up to 30 feet per second.

This plant employs a unique reproductive strategy by dispersing seeds just before the flowers bloom, maximizing their chances of successful germination and reducing competition for resources. The rapid seed dispersal not only helps spread the seeds but also provides a food source for local wildlife.

10/11/2026

🌿 CAPACITACIÓN GRATUITA SOBRE MANTENIMIENTO DE INFRAESTRUCTURA VERDE 🌿

Aprenda habilidades prácticas sobre el mantenimiento de infraestructura verde y jardines de plantas nativas que podrá aplicar en su trabajo y ofrecer a sus clientes, incluyendo:

🔍 Inspección, cuidado y manejo adaptativo de infraestructura verde, incluyendo jardines de lluvia y el manejo de aguas pluviales (bioswale)
🌱 Identificación de plantas nativas e invasivas
🤲 Evaluación de la textura del suelo mediante el tacto
🛠️ ¡Y mucho más!

Los participantes recibirán un certificado al finalizar la capacitación. Los participantes certificadas también aparecerán en nuestro sitio web y serán recomendados a quienes apoyan nuestra organización.

📍 Lugar: The Watershed Institute, Pennington, Nueva Jersey
📅 Fecha: Viernes, 30 de octubre
⏰ Hora: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
💲 Costo: ¡GRATIS!

🔗 Inscríbase aquí: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=TMRryJDkQkakyZmshvEegZMg-QXCNcBCrfoFUdcn14xUQ1EzT1FHUE5GQkNNQjJJTk5XQTZaSDNUNi4u&route=shorturl