News

New Upper Maumee Watershed Coordinator

 

Just as rivers begin as small headwater streams, we here at Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District are in the beginning stages of developing a comprehensive management plan for the Upper Maumee Watershed. The Defiance SWCD was recently awarded a four-year ODNR grant that allowed this program to become fully established. This grant will allow the organizing and development of a watershed action plan, educational outreach and implementation of protection and restoration activities within the Upper Maumee River Watershed. Defiance SWCD is very excited about this opportunity and the grant will be a huge asset to our goal of protecting and improving the Upper Maumee Watershed. That is where I come in.

 

Let me introduce myself. My name is Nicole Grindley, and I am the new Upper Maumee Watershed Coordinator. I was born and raised in Alliance, Ohio which is located in Northeast Ohio. I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. After college, I made Defiance my home, and where I still reside today.

 

As watershed coordinator, I will be responsible for orchestrating watershed

planning and activities for the Upper Maumee Watershed Partnership (UMWP), which was started in December of 2009. The group was spearheaded by the Defiance SWCD after receiving a grant from the Maumee Valley RC&D/NRCS for the formation of a community based watershed group. The UMWP has continued to host steering committee meetings to further guide the planning and direction of the group. Indiana Department

of Environmental Management, the Ohio State University Extension, Ohio EPA, ODNR, local municipalities, and businesses have all continued to provide guidance. Stakeholders who regularly attend the meetings represent agriculture, business, construction, conservation, government, education, and residents. The group continues to host diverse interests from agriculture to urban issues. The partnership has chosen two permanent locations for meetings, one in Woodburn, IN and one in Antwerp, OH. The group continues to have regular meetings alternating between sites.

 

In January 2010, the Partnership enacted its bylaws and finalized its name as the Upper Maumee Watershed Partnership. The vision statement were approved and are as follows:

 

Vision Statement: To promote conservation, restoration and appreciation of the natural resources of the Upper Maumee River Watershed.