Brookdale, Sierra Club Present Free Science Monday Lectures on Stormwater and Endangered Species

Brookdale Community College, in collaboration with the Sierra Club of the Jersey Shore, will present two free Science Monday programs this fall examining environmental issues affecting New Jersey, including stormwater management and the conservation of endangered species.

The programs will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Twin Lights Rooms of the Warner Student Life Center on Brookdale’s Lincroft campus, 765 Newman Springs Road. Both are free and open to the public.

Watershed Management: Green and Sustainable Infrastructure for Stormwater

Monday, October 26, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.

Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E., professor of environmental sciences at Rutgers University and Extension Specialist in Water Resources with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, will present “All About Rain Gardens.”

Obropta will discuss how rain gardens and other green infrastructure can help reduce flooding, improve water quality and manage stormwater by capturing and filtering runoff naturally. He will also discuss the Green Infrastructure Champions Program, which trains local leaders, municipal staff and residents to implement green infrastructure projects throughout New Jersey.

Obropta specializes in watershed management, water quality modeling, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, coastal engineering, watershed restoration and stormwater management. Before joining Rutgers, he worked for 12 years as an environmental consultant.

Habitat Conservation for Endangered Species in New Jersey

Monday, November 23, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.

William “Bill” Pitts, senior zoologist with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program, will discuss new tools and technologies being used to study and protect endangered species and their habitats in New Jersey.

The presentation will highlight conservation efforts involving species including the American kestrel, bog turtle and eastern tiger salamander. Pitts will discuss environmental DNA, or eDNA, which uses samples collected from the environment to detect the presence of species, as well as GIS habitat modeling and other technologies that are expanding the ability of wildlife biologists to study breeding, survival and habitat needs.

Pitts has been with the Endangered and Nongame Species Program since 2005 and manages projects involving eastern tiger salamanders, migratory shorebirds and American kestrels. His work has also included partnerships with conservation organizations and the development of citizen and community science programs.

Science Monday lectures are held on the fourth Monday of the month during September, October and November and January through April. The series brings scientists, researchers and environmental professionals to Brookdale to share their expertise with the community.

Complimentary pizza and light refreshments will be available for attendees. Parking is available in Lot 7.

For more information about the series and upcoming programs, visit Science Mondays or the Sierra Club of the Jersey Shore website.