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UPCOMING EVENTS:
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TUESDAY ON THE FLY: ACUA / Atlantic City/ Tuesday, November 3
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CU SOCIAL: CONSERVATION IN DOWN JERSEY/ Vineland/ Thursday, November 5
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ANNUAL MEETING & VOLUNTEER AWARDS /Millville / Wednesday, November 11
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CLEAN UP / Pittsgrove / Saturday, November 14
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LAST WALK OF THE YEAR / Millville / Saturday. November 21
| | 1.TUESDAY ON THE FLY: ACUA - NOVEMBER 3 | | |
Join us for the final Tuesday on the Fly to explore The Messy Side of Conservation and Sustainability with a behind-the-scenes tour of ACUA’s facilities. At the Wastewater Treatment Facility in Atlantic City, learn how approximately 29 million gallons of wastewater are processed each day and how five wind turbines and 2,700 solar panels help power the operation. You’ll also learn about modern wastewater treatment, renewable energy, and have the chance to get up close to a wind turbine.
From there, we’ll head to ACUA’s 360-acre Environmental Park to see how Atlantic County manages trash, recycling, and yard waste. Explore large-scale composting, where leaves and branches are transformed into EcoSoil, along with trails, gardens, and a recycled playground.
Exploring ACUA’s facilities highlights an important part of protecting the Outstanding Remarkable Values of the Wild & Scenic Maurice River. The choices we make about waste, water, energy, and land management can have a direct impact on the habitats, scenic landscapes, and recreational opportunities found throughout our local watersheds.
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WHAT
Tuesday on the Fly:
ACUA
WHEN
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
9:00 a.m.
WHERE
ACUA Wastewater Treatment Facility & Environmental Park
1801 Absecon Blvd.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
You can sign up for this event
by clicking the button below.
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Be Prepared
Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes.
| | 2.CU SOCIAL: CONSERVATION IN DOWN JERSEY: MARY TREAT AND DALLAS LORE SHARP - NOVEMBER 5 | | |
This month, we highlight a few of the remarkable naturalists who once called the Wild and Scenic Maurice River Watershed home. These leaders in environmental study first found inspiration among the forests, meadows, and swamps of Down Jersey. Later they dedicated their lives to recording their findings and cultivating an appreciation for the natural world in others. Though their passion for the great outdoors was homegrown, their impact on conservation across generations reached a national scale.
Dr. Michael Chiarappa will discuss Haleyville's own Dallas Lore Sharp, who spent his youth exploring the region's Pinelands, wetlands, and fields. Sharp continued his education at Brown University and later led a distinguished career at Boston University, becoming one of the most widely read authors of his era. A naturalist deeply passionate about Southern New Jersey, he wrote extensively about native birds, small mammals, the passing of the seasons, and even the American West.
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Following Dr. Chiarappa's presentation, Deborah Ein will discuss Mary Treat, a pioneering naturalist who moved to Vineland and dedicated her life to studying botany, ornithology, and entomology. Treat discovered five species of plants and animals, and her groundbreaking observations led to a regular correspondence with Charles Darwin.
About the Speakers:
Dr. Michael Chiarappa is a public historian and scholar specializing in historic architecture, landscapes, material culture, and maritime history. Dr. Chiarappa has extensive experience working with universities, museums, government agencies, and environmental organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution and the National Park Service.
Deborah Ein holds a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry and natural resource management. She worked “in the field” for a time, including a summer in California’s Plumas National Forest. Returning to the eastern deciduous forest and the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Deborah turned her focus to writing and editing. She has held editorial positions at New Jersey Outdoors, American Forests, Lapidary Journal, Atlantic City Magazine, The Grapevine, and SNJ Today.
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WHAT
CU Social:
Conservation in Down Jersey
Mary Treat and Dallas Lore Sharp
WHEN
Thursday, November 5, 2026
6:30 p.m.
WHERE
Merighi's Savoy Inn, Rose Room
4940 Landis Avenue
Vineland, New Jersey
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Please let us know you plan on attending
by using the button below.
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Be Prepared
If you'd like to have dinner at Merighi's we recommend making a reservation for either before the presentation at 5:00 p.m. or afterwards at 8:00 p.m. For reservations please call the restaurant at 856-691-8051.
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3.ANNUAL MEETING & VOLUNTEER AWARDS - NOVEMBER 11 | | |
Each year, CU Maurice River takes time to celebrate the incredible energy and dedication of our volunteer team. As we gather for our Annual Meeting, we reflect on the many ways our volunteers have made a difference. More than 200 individuals have contributed well over 8,000 hours toward protecting and enhancing the outstanding natural resource values of the Wild & Scenic Maurice River. From tending gardens and leading nature walks to cleaning riverbanks, restoring habitats, collecting data, managing wildlife, and lending a hand at festivals and field trips, their efforts have made a lasting impact on our community.
The commitment of these volunteers is the heartbeat of CU Maurice River. Their generosity of time and spirit keeps Down Jersey’s environment thriving. During the meeting, we will honor those who have gone above and beyond for local environmental and community health with Volunteer Service Awards presented to those who have devoted more than 100 hours during the past year.
During the business portion of the meeting, CU Maurice River staff will provide an overview of the organization’s business, programming, and outreach activities. The Board of Trustees is recommending the election of three nominees, Pamela Weichman, Linda Finch, and Dorothy Manera, who have expressed an interest in serving a three-year term. Join us to meet the candidates, learn more about their passion for Down Jersey’s great outdoors, and hear how they became involved with CU Maurice River.
Following the awards and meeting, Executive Director Karla Rossini will provide an update on the Manumuskin Restoration Project, sharing the latest developments from this important effort to restore and enhance this essential habitat.
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WHAT
Annual Membership Meeting & Volunteer Awards
WHEN
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
6:30 p.m.
WHERE
John Boggs Hall
152 Port Elizabeth-Cumberland Rd.
Millville, NJ 08332
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Please let us know you plan on attending
by using the button below.
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Join CU Maurice River and the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program for a community cleanup at Alliance Beach in Pittsgrove. Located along a wooded stretch of river, Alliance Beach provides valuable access to our local waterways and surrounding natural habitats. Volunteers will work together to remove litter and debris, helping maintain the health and beauty of this riverside environment.
Litter along riverbanks and shorelines can easily enter waterways, where it may threaten wildlife, degrade aquatic habitats, and contribute to pollution downstream. Community cleanups play an important role in preventing pollution at its source while protecting the natural resources that sustain our watershed. By working together, we can help preserve Alliance Beach for future visitors, support a healthier river ecosystem, and make a meaningful contribution to the long-term stewardship of our local environment.
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WHAT
Clean Up
with AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador
WHEN
Saturday, November 14, 2026
9:30 a.m.
WHERE
Alliance Beach
2 Eppinger Ave
Pittsgrove, NJ 08318
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
You can sign up for this event
by clicking the button below.
| | 5. LAST WALK OF THE YEAR - NOVEMBER 21 | | |
Join CU Maurice River Naturalists and Staff for our final walk of the year at Holly Farm, a remarkable conservation success story in the Maurice River watershed. After more than 30 years of advocacy by CU Maurice River, this 1,400-acre property was preserved in 2020 through New Jersey’s Green Acres Program, becoming part of the Menantico Ponds Wildlife Management Area. Its protection connected approximately 5,500 preserved acres with an additional 28,000 acres of protected land, creating an expansive network of connected natural habitats.
As we explore Holly Farm, we’ll enjoy the changing landscape, look for seasonal changes, and reflect on the importance of protecting the forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats that make our region so special. Whether you’ve joined us throughout the year or are new to CU Maurice River, this final outing is an opportunity to experience a meaningful conservation success firsthand, learn something new, and close out the year with the CU Maurice River community.
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WHAT
Last Walk of 2026
WHEN
Saturday, November 21, 2026
9:00 a.m.
WHERE
Holly Farm
3001 East Main Street
Millville, NJ 08332
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
You can sign up for this event
by clicking the button below.
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Be Prepared
Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes or boots. Use of sunscreen and insect repellent is recommended. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a snack.
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