Job Opening at PDE
We have job and internship openings! Are you the next person to join our team? Apply today!
We’re hiring fantastic people to fill open positions for:
- Urban Waters Program Manager (Click here to learn more about the Urban Waters Federal Partnership)
- Grants Coordinator
- Science Intern
Learn more about each of these positions here by clicking here: https://delawareestuary.org/home/careers-2/
2023 State of the Estuary Report
Our 2023 State of the Estuary Report is hot off the press! The Delaware Estuary and Watershed has maintained a “fair” rating since 2012. Find out what determined this rating by visiting www.delawareestuary.org/soe23.
Enter our Art Contest!
It’s time to enter the 2024 Trash Into Treasure Art Contest!
Artists, if you’re 18 years or older and live in the state of Delaware, you could be eligible to enter our art contest aimed at raising awareness about the importance of clean waterways. There are prizes for winning entries!
Click HERE for more information and an entry form.
We’re Looking for Volunteers!
Read the Latest Estuary News
Take Our Quiz for National Estuaries Week (September 16 – 23, 2023)
2022 Annual Report
Urban Waters Mini-Grants
It’s time for the 2023 Spokesdog Competition!
Check Out Our New Native Plant Guide!
PDE’s New Board Chairperson
Nicole Brown Elected Board Chair of Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Organization also welcomes five new board members
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) welcomes a new head of its board of directors and five new board members.
As of Jan. 1, Nicole Brown, Client Development Manager for Suburban Consulting Engineers is PDE’s new board chairperson. In this role, Brown will facilitate board and executive committee meetings as well as provide guidance and leadership to PDE’s management to continue the success of the organization.
In addition to Brown’s election as board chair, PDE also welcomes five new board members: Kate Campbell of Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP, Kelly Anderson of the Philadelphia Water Department, Matin Katirai of West Chester University, Shawn Rodier of Jacobs, and Jeannie Morris of Vicinity Energy.
Brown has more than 25 years of experience with all phases of water and wastewater projects, having worked with clients to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of their systems. As an engineer, she utilizes her problem-solving skills along with effective communication to speak to the community on behalf of her clients. She is passionate about increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the water industry and focuses on encouraging the next generation of water professionals. A native of Philadelphia, Brown is proud to implement her experience to positively impact the region’s water. At Suburban Consulting, Brown manages regional water and wastewater clients.
“Throughout my life, I have had an appreciation of water and problem solving, which is why I became a civil engineer,” Brown said. “Being involved in the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary has given me opportunities to engage with water in creative and interesting ways that remind me of why I fell in love with water. PDE plays a vital role in sustaining this precious resource in our region and sharing the love of water with all that experience it.”
Brown is a proud wife, and mother of four children (and three fur babies). She loves to travel, experience new things and is a self-proclaimed foodie. She is a faithful member of her childhood church in West Philadelphia, and takes every opportunity to tell young people how much fun it is to be an engineer.
“Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is excited to have Nicole as its new board chair,” said PDE Executive Director Kathy Klein. “She has been actively involved with PDE for several years and has demonstrated leadership and her commitment to our organization’s mission. PDE’s staff are excited to be working with Nicole along with all of our board members on behalf of clean waters, healthy habitats, and strong communities for the Delaware River and Bay.”
Read the 2022 TREB
PDE Releases 2022 Technical Report for the Delaware Estuary and Basin
Estuary and Basin maintains a “fair” health grade from 2017
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) recently unveiled its 2022 Technical Report for the Delaware Estuary and Basin (TREB). The report, which has been published every five years since 2012, is the culmination of two years of collaboration among environmental scientists in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. PDE staff, members of the Delaware River Basin Commission, and others, presented a snapshot of the TREB at the bi-annual Delaware Estuary Science & Environmental Summit, held in Atlantic City.
Overall, there’s both good and bad news. The TREB concludes that the Delaware Estuary and Basin maintains its “fair” health rating. Sturgeon numbers are on the rise and nutrient loads have improved since the 1960s, but numbers of striped bass continue to decline and sea level rise is showing no sign of slowing down.
“The TREB helps us think about the health of the ecosystem as a whole rather than specific facets, and it shows that while we have made great progress we have more work to do to address legacy issues, emerging threats, and adapt to climate change,” said Danielle Kreeger, PDE’s Senior Science Director.
The TREB provides an overview of the status and trends of more than 50 environmental indicators, including a diverse suite of water, habitat, and living resources. It’s also a technical snapshot of the primary indicators of the Delaware River Watershed’s general health.
Some parameters, such as dissolved oxygen concentration and sturgeon abundance, are improving thanks to proactive management. For example, more than 90 percent of tested areas met dissolved oxygen criteria. On the other hand, some indicators such as impervious cover, winter streamflow, sea level rise, and striped bass abundance are of increasing concern. For example, increasing impervious surface in the Delaware Estuary and Basin increases storm water runoff, flooding and can impair water quality.
“We are very grateful for all of the partners who contributed to the 2022 TREB including the members of the Delaware Estuary Program’s Science and Technical Advisory Committee,” said Kathy Klein, Executive Director of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. “The 440-page report is an important tool that helps to assess the overall environmental condition of the watershed. The indicators help raise awareness about important environmental issues, serve as tools for evaluating the effectiveness of management actions, and can function as early warning signals for detecting adverse changes in environmental quality.”
The Delaware Estuary Watershed and Basin contains a network of rivers, streams, and communities across 42 counties in four states, covering 13,539 square miles. These places are home to more than 13 million people who draw 6 billion gallons of water daily, not to mention thousands of birds, fish, and plants.
Namsoo Suk, Ph.D., DRBC’s Director of Science and Water Quality Management noted, “Our mission of managing, protecting and improving the water resources of the Delaware River Basin presents a natural partnership opportunity with the Delaware Estuary Program. Evaluation results for more than 50 environmental indicators in the 2022 TREB report better equip our agency to protect aquatic resources, human health, and communities. DRBC values PDE’s cooperative approach to connect technical expertise from our agency and other partners and make the TREB report a true partnership product.”
Later this year, PDE will release a State of the Estuary report. This non-technical summary uses TREB information to provide the public with insight into the status and trends of select natural resources in the Delaware Estuary.
The 2022 Technical Report for the Delaware Estuary & Basin Report can be found on PDE’s website at https://delawareestuary.org/data-and-reports/state-of-the-estuary-report-2/
Additional questions can be directed to the Estuary Science Manager LeeAnn Haaf, Ph.D., at lhaaf@delawareestuary.org.