Clean Communities Coordinator Meeting

Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 10:00am – 3:15pm

New Jersey School of Conservation, 1 Wapalanne Road, Branchville, NJ 07826-5116

Meeting attendees received (sign-in sheet is provided at the bottom of this page)

Approved NJCCC Credits: 4

Approved CRP Credits: 4 Classroom

Approved CPWM Credits: 4 Government

NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours: 4

Agenda

Arrival & Welcome – Kittatinny Hall (10:00 – 10:15)

Tanya Sulikowski, NJ School of Conservation Director of Education

Will discuss programs, activities, history of site, etc

MCMUA Clean Communities Updates – Kittatinny Hall (10:15 – 10:45)

Michelle Chavanne, District Clean Communities Coordinator

Presentation on MCMUA updates and new coordinator resources for the upcoming grant period.

Break & Move into Activity 1 Groups (10:45-11:00)

NJ School of Conservation (NJSOC) Activity 1 (11:00-12:30)

All the activities are conducted by an NJSOC Master Educator. Each CC Coordinator will participate in two of the activities listed below. The schedule and class descriptions are included with this agenda.

Fish Ecology with Joe Mikulka, Long House
Water Ecology with Mike Roche, Lab
Turtle Hurdles with Tanya Sulikowski, Corral

Lunch will be served by the NJSOC (12:45 – 1:30)

NJ School of Conservation (NJSOC) Activity 2 (1:45-3:15)

Fish Ecology with Joe Mikulka, Long House
Water Ecology with Mike Roche, Lab
Turtle Hurdles with Tanya Sulikowski, Corral

End of Meeting and Departure (3:15)

Class Descriptions

Water Ecology

This session will demonstrate that clean water is a key human resource and will highlight the anthropogenic factors that impact water quality. The session activities include a brief discussion of water as it relates to all life and to the participants’

home community. We will make comparisons to differences in water quality throughout New Jersey. This will be followed by a hands-on survey of water quality and quantity at the Big Flatbrook, using stream flow measurements, water chemistry and aquatic organism sampling. The session will conclude with a discussion of stewardship of aquatic resources including land use impacts and litter management.

Fish Ecology

This field activity will explore the critical role that fish play in aquatic ecosystems and the importance of responsible fishing practices. One way to do this is using fishing line (monofilament) recycling receptacles, which New Jersey Clean Communities is generously providing to The NJ SOC. Participants capture fish from Lake Wapalanne to get a close-up view. We will have the opportunity to learn anatomical and morphological characteristics of fish, their life cycles and value to the wildlife community, threats to their habitats, current conservation efforts, and the historical and present-day impact they have on our lives.

Turtle Hurdles

This activity teaches participants about the ecology of sea turtles and the impacts of various human activities, with a heavy emphasis on ocean litter/debris. Participants will role-play as turtles, on the limiting factors affecting turtles, through a highly active life cycle. Participants will come away with an understanding of the life cycle of sea turtles and what the specific mortality factors related to sea turtles are, especially related to the reduction of litter in marine environments. This lesson, designed for use with Upper Elementary through Middle School, was developed by Project Wild and will be a wonderful resource for Clean Communities Coordinators to share with local educators.

Contact Information

Tanya Sulikowski, Director of Education NJ School of Conservation Email: tsulikowski@njsoc.org Phone: 973-908-1572 Website: https://njsoc.org	Michelle Chavanne, Morris County Clean Communities Coordinator Email: mchavanne@co.morris.nj.us Phone: 973-285-8395 Website: https://mcmua.com/sw_cc.asp
Aliza Kawecki, Environmental Educator NJ School of Conservation Email: akawecki@njsoc.org Phone: 973-919-7496 Website: https://njsoc.org	Anthony Marrone, District Recycling Coordinator Email: amarrone@co.morris.nj.us