Cindy Zipf is pictured addressing a crowd at Rumson’s Bingham Hall on recent pollution issues in the Navesink River. The Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action returns to the borough on October 18, for a free public lecture event sponsored by the Rumson Garden Club.

From press materials furnished by Rumson Garden Club; Monmouth Conservation Foundation

The middle of October will see two free public-welcome discussions — one in Rumson, one in Fair Haven — that aim to furnish the public with updated information on the effort to address the pollution problem in the Navesink River, as well as provide tips on ways that individual residents and business owners can pitch in to help improve the quality of our area’s waterways.

On the morning of Tuesday, October 18, the Rumson Country Club is the setting for a special lecture entitled “Watershed Mindfulness: We Are All Connected to the Sea;” presented by Rumson Garden Club and featuring as guest speaker Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of the Sandy Hook-based nonprofit Clean Ocean Action (COA).

Going on from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, the lecture will highlight the continuing efforts to keep the Atlantic Ocean healthy, both for the enjoyment of the public and the role that it plays in the state’s $28 billion clean ocean economy. In addition, Zipf will discuss COA’s most recent local work to address pollution in the Navesink River.

COA conducted a year-long investigation into the water quality of the Navesink River and wrote the report entitled, “Pathogen Pollution in the Navesink River,” in response the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to downgrade over 560 acres of shellfish habitat. The report included a Call to Action and launched the Rally for the Navesink, a grassroots “no blame-game, find it-fix it” campaign to reduce pollution to ensure the river is safe for fish and families.

Reservations are not required for the October 18 lecture, and more information can be obtained by calling Garden Club president Liz Card at (732)741-7296.

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On the evening of Thursday, October 20, Knollwood School (224 Hance Road in Fair Haven) will host the next meeting of The Rally for the Navesink Coalition; a 7 p.m. panel discussion and expo  that offers “fun ways to help the river” and improve water quality throughout the greater Navesink community.

Topics to be explored include river-friendly alternatives in lawn care; the advantages of “living shoreline” land management; how to plan a rain garden or native plant garden, plus tips on maintaining septic systems and reducing runoff into the river. No reservation is required for the free public meeting, and additional information can be obtained by contacting the Monmouth Conservation Foundation Deputy Executive Director Amanda Brockwell at (732)671-7000.