OFFICE OF WATERSHED EDUCATION, ESTUARIES AND MONITORING

Kerry Kirk Pflugh, Section Chief
(609) 292-2113

The purpose of the Office of Watershed Education, Estuaries and Monitoring (WEEM) is to support the Division's mission through coordination of internal and external watershed management efforts and the development and implementation of effective communication plans to educate local government partners, local volunteer partners, and the general public.

WEEM will provide internal coordination for all National Estuary Programs by attending meetings as necessary, coordinating internal meetings on emerging issues, providing representation on Management committees, and providing briefings to the Department's Policy Committee representatives.

WEEM will coordinate the Division's beach management efforts. This includes organizing the Department's Adopt-A-Beach Program and beach clean-up days; continued coordination of the Department's Clean Shores Program through organization and reporting; coordinating and integrating the Department's Coastal Monitoring Program with EPA's national data collection and management system; coordinating with the Department's press office to ensure accurate press notification of incidents; and coordinating Division staff to ensure a Division representative is "on scene" for all reported floatable events.

WEEM will continue to coordinate and enhance within existing staff the Department's Volunteer Monitoring Network by ensuring the quality of data, consistency in reporting format, and usability of data in the Department's water quality monitoring efforts.

Other programs under which WEEM will continue to coordinate outreach and education efforts include the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors, Urban Fishing and Fish Consumption Advisories, as well as the DWM website, the Watershed Focus Newsletter, and Press Release development.

WEEM will also develop and implement effective communication plans for appropriate target audiences for Stormwater Management, Highlands, Smart Growth, Source Water Protection, Water Quality Management Planning, and other emerging issues, by providing staff as necessary to support these outreach initiatives. WEEM will also communicate it's work with the rest of the Division and provide assistance in the execution of communication plans.