8th Annual St. Joseph River Watershed Council Meeting

Join the Friends of the St. Joe River for dinner and social time at the 8th Annual St. Joseph River Watershed Council Meeting at the Sturges-Young Auditorium in Sturgis, Michigan.

Hold Your Water!

Last year we learned how farmers can increase infiltration, reduce runoff and save money by utilizing better management practices on their fields. This year we will explore the ways homeowners and municipalities can use plants, landscaping and permeable surfaces to accomplish the same goals in developed areas.   

How we deal with the water that falls on our public and private property determines whether it sustains life and other natural resources, or whether it becomes a waste product capable of powerful economic, environmental and social destruction. Jim Patchett will tear down the walls of conventional engineering doctrines and bring stormwater management to life when he presents:

Gray vs. Green:

Dispelling the Myths about Urban Green Infrastructure Systems

Jim Patchett, founder and president of Conservation Design Forum, is widely recognized as one of the nation's leaders in the promotion of sustainable land use planning and design.  Jim applies his training and experience as a landscape architect, environmental planner, hydrologist, and restoration ecologist in the design and development of natural resource-based solutions that integrate state-of-the-art green building and site infrastructure measures to restore historical ecosystem functions in both built and natural environments.

Meeting Agenda

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Registration/Social Time (Cash Bar Available)
                             Auction Bidding Begins
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Welcome/Opening Remarks
6:30 - 6:45 p.m. - Award Presentation
6:45 - 7:45 p.m. - Dinner (Auction Bidding Continues)
8:00 - 8:45 p.m. - Presentation by Jim Patchett
8:45 - 9:00 p.m. - Questions & Final Comments
                             Auction Check-Out

A Silent Auction will take place from 5:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Items will include rain barrels, bird houses, canoe and kayak trips on the Pigeon River and much more!

Download the event flyer here.

Contact fotsjr.outreach@gmail.com for more information