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The Fourth Annual Northwest New Jersey Rivers Conference returns in-person at Centenary University’s Lackland Center

What: Northwest New Jersey Rivers Conference

When: Saturday, September 17, 2022 – 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Where: David and Carol Lackland Center, Centenary University, 715 Grand Ave, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

After two virtual conferences in 2020 and 2021, this year marks the return to in-person. The theme of the Fourth Annual Northwest New Jersey Rivers Conference is tourism and recreation: Promoting a compatible tourism economy in northwest New Jersey that leverages the region’s incomparable scenic beauty and natural and cultural resource values. We will explore how the region’s resource values can contribute to a more vibrant tourism economy by strategies such as expanding recreational opportunities and promoting the region’s scenic values.

New Jersey’s 34th Secretary of State, the Honorable Tahesha Way, will provide the keynote address. Ms. Way oversees the state government offices supporting New Jersey’s vibrant arts, culture, history, and business communities, all of which are plentiful in Northwest New Jersey.

The conference opens at 9:00 a.m. with a plenary session moderated by Warren County Commissioner James Kern and featuring Jeffrey Vasser, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Division of Travel & Tourism; Dorothy Guzzo, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Historic Trust; and, Tom Drake, publisher of Skylands Visitor Magazine.

Throughout the day, concurrent workshops on a variety of topics explore the destinations, recreational options, economic opportunities and other related subjects presented by noted experts, professionals and officials. Local organizations also will set up tables for sharing information about the region’s resources. Visit the Conference website at northwestnewjerseyrivers.org for detailed information on the workshops, presenter bios and registration options. Tickets are $30. The excellent Lackland Café offers a wide selection of lunch options, buffet style for $10, purchased at the registration table.

Julia Somers, Executive Director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, which coordinates the event said, “This year’s conference offers an unusual chance to learn more about what makes northwest New Jersey a truly great tourism destination. It’s a beautiful place to live, but an extraordinary place to visit—for recreation, for history, for scenic beauty—and so many opportunities to grow businesses that highlight these places and service their visitors. Come to the conference to learn and be inspired by our workshop presenters. We hope everyone will take advantage of what’s available on the day at the conference.”

The Northwest New Jersey Rivers Conference is part of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, a collaboration of over fifty organizations working to improve water quality in the four states of the watershed. Eleven organizations are working together on a variety of projects in northwestern New Jersey: New Jersey Highlands Coalition, Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), New Jersey Conservation Foundation, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, North Jersey Resource, Conservation & Development, Lopatcong Creek Initiative, New Jersey Audubon, Hunterdon Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Musconetcong Watershed Association, Wallkill River Watershed Management Group.