Kelly Knutson to Serve as Next Director of Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed

(TRENTON, NJ) ― New Jersey Audubon’s Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (“CDRW”) announced that Kelly Knutson (he/him), currently serving as Interim Director, will become the Coalition’s next leader on policy and partnerships throughout the four basin states. Formerly CDRW’s State Policy Manager, Knutson will be the first openly LGBTQ member to hold the Director title in the Coalition’s history. 

“Kelly is a dynamic leader, known throughout the region for his successful facilitation of the CDRW state lead program,” said Eileen Murphy, Ph.D., Vice President, Government Relations at NJ Audubon and Coalition Steering Committee co-chair..  “His leadership will be critical to working with stakeholders and Coalition members to bring the Coalition’s policy portfolio to the next level in restoring and protecting the watershed.”

“To serve as the next Director for CDRW is truly an honor―I’m grateful to continue the Coalition’s legacy and remain dedicated to advancing our shared DEIJ, conservation, clean water, and policy goals. As the drinking source for 13.3 million people, the watershed needs our collective voice to further protections and safeguard resources that are most vulnerable to a changing world” said Kelly Knutson, Director of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed “Now more than ever, we need consensus among organizations and Congress to advance smart policies that address the water and climate crisis that our region and nation are facing. Alongside the Coalition’s growing membership and trusted partners, I look forward to advancing inclusive and strategic initiatives that address ongoing basin-wide issues.”

Kelly joined the Coalition in April of 2019 as State Policy Manager and accepted the role of Interim Director in September 2021. 

In the last three months, Knutson has demonstrated competency to lead by successfully executing the Coalition’s 9th annual Forum, launching CDRW’s 2022 policy nomination process and planning its federal lobbying event. 

Since assuming the role, Kelly has elevated CDRW’s commitment to addressing climate change in the basin and the intersectionality that watershed conservation plays in a warming world. Come 2022, the Coalition is set to formalize climate change as an acting priority with policy positions advancing community resiliency, habitat adaption, natural solutions, environmental justice and more.

From Grant LaRouche, Mid-Atlantic Director of the National Wildlife Federation, “The National Wildlife Federation is excited to welcome Kelly Knutson as the Coalition’s next Director. His mix of experience engaging our members, advocating for the watershed, and his breadth of skills will make him an excellent leader. We look forward to supporting Kelly as he takes the Coalition to new heights.”

The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed is well positioned for continued success in achieving shared outcomes to improve water quality, enhance access to the outdoors for all communities, and to protect and restore lands across the watershed under Director Knutson’s leadership,” said Mark Zakutansky, Director of Conservation Policy Engagement for the Appalachian Mountain Club and Coalition Steering Committee co-chair.

Trained as a biologist, Kelly has spent his professional career advancing science-based policies to stakeholders, communities, and lawmakers to ensure that evidence-driven solutions are at the foundation of constituent advocacy and legislative strategy. 

Previously, Kelly worked for National Audubon Society facilitating their grassroots climate engagement in New York alongside Audubon chapters and active volunteers. In this capacity, Knutson trained advocates to steward victories on local, state, and national scales. Additionally, through prior work at NextGen America, Knutson was instrumental in inspiring the next generation of young and diverse voices to be engaged in civic processes and policy change. 

Kelly will immediately assume the role of CDRW’s permanent Director and be based at New Jersey Audubon’s office of Government Relations in Trenton, NJ.

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The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed protects and restores the land and waters in the Delaware River Basin. We amplify the collective power of 175 member organizations and other stakeholders as we advocate for a healthy and protected watershed with an inclusive, unified voice. The Coalition convenes member and non-member organizations, builds capacity, coordinates communications, and advances policy at the federal and state levels. Click here to learn more.