A non-profit organization aimed at supporting and preserving the approximately 470 square mile Raritan River headwaters region recently gave recognition to a group of volunteers hailing throughout Somerset County for their stewardship of the area.
During the Raritan Headwaters Association’s Feb. 22 meeting, Ray Croot, of Hillsborough; Suzette “Suki” Dewey, of Tweksbury Township; Brian Lynch, of Mine Hill; Robert Falcone, of Long Valley; Shana Goodchild and Roberta Brassard, both of Tweksbury Township; and the Jacobs Family, of Bedminster Township, were honored for their work.
“We truly could not do the great work we’re accomplishing without the help of our dedicated volunteers,” RHA Executive Director Cindy Ehrenclou said. “We’re so grateful to each one of them and thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”
According to officials, the Bedminster-based Raritan Headwaters Association has been working since 1959 to “protect, preserve and improve water quality and other natural resources of the Raritan River headwaters region through efforts in science, education, advocacy, land preservation and stewardship.”
During the ceremony, RHA officials said each honoree contributed to the environmental impact of the Raritan River headwaters in a significant way.
Croot, the first Suky Dewey Award recipient, was described by officials as an “all-star volunteer.” As a citizen scientist, he tests nearly half a dozen sites throughout the year, participates in the annual stream cleanup, improved habitats at RHA nature preserves, served as a social media ambassador and helped with a host of other tasks.
“When we need help, he comes running,” RHA Volunteer Coordinator Trish McGuire said. “He’s here at the drop of a dime.”
Croot is also a certified “River Friendly” resident and has installed a model rain garden in his town.
As a volunteer and RHA Board of Trustees member since 2000, Dewey was honored by having the aforementioned Suky Dewey Award named after her.
“The world needs more people like Suki,” Ehrenclou said. He later described Dewey as a passionate environmentalist who believes deeply in the possibility of a greener planet. “She rolls up her sleeves and digs in, we’ve been so lucky to have her.”
Lynch is a volunteer who regularly monitors two stream sites while also serving as a site coordinator for the organization’s annual stream cleanups. He was also recognized for alerting the RHA that a company had been violating its water quality permits.
Falcone is a long-time site coordinator for the stream cleanup, leading his scout group.
“Robert puts his whole heart into trying to find the right site so his scouts have a fulfilling experience,” said Angela Gorczyca, RHA’s water quality manager.
All six members of the Jacobs family, parents Mimi and Lawrence and children Jenna, Lia, Matthew and Thomas, were recognized during the event for their work with RHA. Officials said the family regularly volunteers at the Country Fair, bluebird monitoring and Nature Day Camp, as well as individual Girl Scout and Eagle Scout projects.
“They’re a great family and we’ve been so lucky to have them as part of our watershed community,” said Lauren Theis, RHA’s education director.
Goodchild, Tewksbury Township’s Land Use Administrator, and Brassard, the Tewksbury Township Municipal Clerk, were recognized by the organization for their work in manaing the community test well program every fall.
Mara Tippett, RHA’s well test manager, said the family regularly went “above and beyond” their regular duties to help expand the well test program and improve public health. Goodchild is a resident of Bethlehem, Pa., while Brassard lives in Washington Township.
Along with the individual honorees, RHA honored Morgan Stanley as its corporate volunteer of the year, with volunteer coordinator Arun GunduRao singled out for his role in recruiting his co-workers.
Over the course of three days last June, Morgan Stanley brought over 80 volunteers to help out with a variety of projects at RHA’s Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve in Bedminster and Fox Hill Preserve in Tewksbury.
“When Morgan Stanley comes, we really get our money’s worth,” RHA Land Projects Manager George Schaberg joked.