Waterspirit is a co-sponsor of the League of Women Voters NJ (LWVNJ) Activist Training to amplify and encourage participation in civic life with education from longtime nonpartisan experts. The health of our ecosystems is inextricably linked to state funding and legislative transparency. These training opportunities provide necessary know-how to move from passion to policy impact.

Why should watershed residents care about budgeting?

Water infrastructure projects—from lead line replacements to stormwater management and water privatization—rely heavily on state allocations. Understanding the “New Jersey Budget Process 101” (March 17) is vital because it reveals for us how the Executive and Legislative branches determine program priorities and fiscal deadlines. When we want projects funded, we must know where the money begins.

Envrionmental issues often affect marginalized areas of most concern in any region or state disproportionately. The “Reaching Marginalized Voters” (March 31) session offers us strategies for ensuring the voices most impacted by water pollution or privatization are empowered and represented in the democratic process.

The lapsed “Intoduction to the Legislative Process” training provided a roadmap for how bills (i.e. regarding a NJ Green Amendment, Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, or Clean Water Act provisions) move through our state legislature. This helps support you through the bill tracking process and effective advocacy before a final vote is reached.

More often than not, critical water decisions happen at the municipal level during town halll or utility authority meetings. The “Observer Corps” (April 22) session teaches you how to keep local government transparent, which is essential when monitoring local water quality permits or development in land designated as environmentally sensitive, or potential risk of flooding.