PLATT RE-ELECTED TO LEAD GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED ASSOCIATION AS BOARD CHAIRPERSON

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY — Nicolas W. Platt, Harding Township Committeeman and former Mayor of Harding Township, was re-elected as Board Chairperson of the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) for a third year on January 13, 2020. Nic was appointed last year by Governor Murphy to serve as a Co-Czar to address New Jersey’s crippling property taxes by focusing on Shared Services. (The other Co-Czar is Jordan Glatt who also sits on our Board.) Nic also sits on the public board of GAMCO Advisors, is President of the Hartley Dodge Foundation, and is a board member of the Eisenhower Foundation based in Abilene, Kansas.

“We are thrilled that with his very busy schedule Nic has generously agreed to give more of his time and energy to GSWA in his essential role as Board Chair,” stated Sally Rubin, Executive Director of GSWA. “His lifelong commitment to conservation and open space advocacy has been a tremendous asset to our organization.”

GSWA set lofty goals for 2020, on a pace to provide environmental education to approximately 5,000 school children. Through these programs students receive in-class and outdoor learning experiences aimed to encourage engagement in their local environment and inspire future land stewards and environmental leaders.

GSWA has also expanded their water quality monitoring program for 2020. Previous sampling efforts encompassed locations from the upper Passaic River down through Livingston. This year, four new sampling locations were added in the stretch between Livingston and Little Falls as GSWA continues delivering on their mission to extend their reach downstream. This comes on the heels of their new microplastics sampling protocol established in 2019.

“It’s imperative that we all embrace the concept of ‘action without history’ now; to understand and own the impact of our actions, making smarter choices for the sake of our planet,” Platt said. He went on to say, “With the current and future state of our environment in such desperate condition, I feel extremely fortunate to be aligned with such a focused and committed organization as GSWA.”

The organization’s second largest fundraising event of the year, the Third Annual Great Swamp Great Music Festival, takes place Sunday, June 7 at the historic Hartley Farms Polo Field in Harding Township. This site is generously donated by Nic Platt, a member of The Hartley Farms Partners LLC. The event features an afternoon of live music, food and merchandise vendors, and much more. GSWA also offers programs to the public including nature hikes, DIY workshops and environmental speaker programs.

To learn more about Great Swamp Watershed, and view and register for events, visit GreatSwamp.org.

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About the Great Swamp Watershed Association
Founded in 1981, the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the water resources of the Passaic River region, from the Great Swamp headwaters to Newark Bay, for present and future generations. Through education, advocacy, science, land preservation, and stewardship, in collaboration with partners, we work to instill our communities with an awareness of water’s effect on health and the beauty of the environment, from source to sea. The organization educates over 5,000 school children, monitors over 30 stream locations, and holds approximately 50 public events each year.

For more information about the Great Swamp Watershed Association, visit www.GreatSwamp.org.