The CCIA is pleased to again be the host agency for the Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program (NJWAP). Ambassadors hosted through the CCIA are responsible for WMA17, the watershed management area, which consists of the Maurice, Cohansey and Salem River watershed.

This year’s ambassador is Marcelo Gracia. A native of Houston, TX, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a BA in Earth Science, concentrating in Environmental Sciences, with a minor in Biology. He was introduced to the Watershed Ambassadors program after graduation and was selected to participate in the NJWAP from September 2020 through June 2021.

With COVID19 safety precautions strictly enforced, Gracia plans to be actively involved in the communities of WMA17. He said, “My goals for this year are to improve the health of WMA17 through constant monitoring and assessing of my assigned streams, improving environmental stewardship in the area through engaging presentations and training.”

Tony Riviera, director of the CCIA Solid Waste Complex, will be supervising the NJWAP and working with Gracia. “The Watershed Ambassador Program works closely with the county Clean Communities Program. Each year, the ambassadors prove to be essential and beneficial to the county. We look forward to working with Mr. Gracia and familiarizing him with our beautiful natural resources in South Jersey,” Riviera said.

Contact WMA17 Ambassador Marcelo Gracia at [email protected] or 856-825-3700 x2165 to take part in one of his many exciting programs. For more information on the Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program (NJWAP), go to state.nj.us/dep/wms/bears/americorps.htm.