ACUA is a proud host Agency for the NJDEP AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program (NJWAP). Watershed Management Area 15 (WMA15) is home to the 55-mile long Great Egg Harbor River. The watershed begins as a trickle in Camden County, flows through Atlantic County, and mixes with salt water in the Great Egg Harbor Bay, before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Watershed Ambassadors have 3 main roles (1) environmental education, (2) stream assessments, and (3) community-based projects. Ambassadors serve for 10 months out of the year – September through July.
The current 2025-2026 Watershed Ambassador for the Great Egg Harbor Watershed is Jacob DeRose. Jacob grew up in Egg Harbor Township and is happy to be able serve this term close to “home.” Jacob’s familiarity with the region sets him up for a strong start for a productive term of service.
Jacob graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Ecology. In addition to his coursework, Jacob gained valuable experience through academic projects ranging from developing management plans for a waterway on the Rutgers Campus and for shorebirds, as well as analysis, calculation and modeling for other research projects.
Jacob looks forward to connecting with students, community groups and residents for educational programs, clean ups and community projects this term. To
schedule a visit from Jacob, please email him at wma15@acua.com.
Here are a few programming options available, which can be tailored to any age or grade:
- Enviroscape: Learn where our stormwater runoff goes and the differences between point v. non-point source pollution using a 3-D model of a watershed
- Macroinvertebrates: See live or preserved macroinvertebrates, learn to identify them, and learn how these critters can teach us about water quality
- Other hands-on presentations or lectures related to water: water cycle, the journey of water, weather & climate, water conservation, food waste & composting, microplastics, and Project WET related lessons
- Salt marsh ecology, chromatography, seining at the beach, and coastal ecology guided hikes