Today being "green" is all the rage, but 60 years ago there was only one organization dedicated to protecting the Central Jersey watershed and its environment.

The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, one of the first watershed associations in the nation and the largest and longest-running watershed group in New Jersey, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, according to an association press release.

Founded in 1949 by a handful of citizens concerned about soil erosion and environmentally responsible land use practices, the watershed association continues to make the CASE (Conservation, Advocacy, Science and Education) for clean water and healthy environments.

"For six decades the watershed association has led the way with a farsighted vision of protection for our lakes, rivers and streams," Jim Waltman, the association's executive director, said in the press release. "From soil erosion and sedimentation in the 1950s to challenges associated with climate change and global warming today, the watershed association continues to fight for your water and environment. We are your environmental voice."

To celebrate its accomplishments, the watershed association is hosting "60 Events for 60 Years," which combines informative speakers, how-to sessions, and fun-filled activities for children, families and adults throughout 2009.

"Birds of a Feather: Two men's passion for birds take flight" on Feb. 26 will feature Princeton decoy collector Jay Vawter and watershed association Education Director Jeff Hoagland, who will explore the evolution of bird decoys and adventures in bird watching. The event will start at 7 p.m. at The Arts Council of Princeton on Witherspoon Street in Princeton.

"Underwater Worlds: A photographic journey" on March 10 will feature awardwinning underwater photographer and watershed resident Jeff Rotman, who will give a pictorial tour of his global underwater adventures. The BBC Underwater Wildlife Photographer of the Year will also be signing copies of his books. The event will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Watershed Reserve on Titus Mill Road in Pennington.

The group will also host watershed meet and greets to find out what area residents treasure and to educate them about what the association is doing to protect their towns and give their environmental issues immediate attention. The events will take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Hickory corner Branch of the Mercer County Library in East Windsor and at 7:30 p.m. March 12 at the Millstone Township Community Center in Millstone.

The Maple Sugar Brunch and Hike will take place 9:30-11:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Watershed Reserve. The event will feature maple sugaring and a pancake breakfast with homemade watershed syrup. Registration is required and can be done by calling 609-737-7592.

"Vernal Pools of the Sourland Mountains" on April 4 will feature watershed association naturalist Allison Jackson and an exploration of the vernal pools in the Sourland Mountains. For time and location details call 609-737-7592.

The Frog Slog on April 24 will feature education director Jeff Hoagland, who will discuss the secret life of frogs on a special night hike at the Watershed Reserve. Registration information can be obtained by calling 609-737-7592.

The association will also hold its annual watershed-wide stream cleanups April 25- 26 and May 2-3 in Cranbury, East Windsor, Franklin, Hopewell, Hightstown, Lawrence, Millstone, Monroe, Princeton, Plainsboro and West Windsor.

For more information about the watershed and its 60 anniversary events, visit www.thewatershed.org.