RRC Works to Develop Two New Chapters

Both Groups in Waterloo and Johnson Creek are exploring becoming a Chapter of the Rock River Coalition. Meetings coming up February 4 & 5.

Chapters work under the umbrella of the Rock River Coalition, taking advantage of our non-profit [501 (c) 3] status, insurance, by-laws and governing body. However, the people who form the chapter develop and oversee their own action plans and activities. s the best of both worlds.  The Coalition currently has one chapter, the Friends of Badfish Creek Watershed.

Here’s more information on the two groups.

Johnson Creek

The Johnson Creek group, lead by past RRC Board Member Peter Hartz is working with local youth organizations, churches and the historical society as well as interested individuals.

They are interested in a revitalized Johnson Creek, a tributary of the Rock, with a goal of making the creek a valuable amenity for Jefferson County and the Village of Johnson Creek.

Their interest of course includes monitoring and water quality, but will also work on improving shorelines, restoring wetlands and improving stormwater quantity and quality, and promoting educational awareness in the watershed from the headwaters to the mouth at the Rock River.

The initial meeting of the Johnson Creek group will be on Thursday Feb. 5 at 6:30 at the Historical Society located at 110 Aztalan Street in Johnson Creek. Contact Peter at peterhartz@tds.net.

Waterloo

The Waterloo group, with a focus on the Maunesha River, is spearheaded by City Councilman, Matt Ziaja. Since the dam was removed in Waterloo a group of local citizens has have held several stream clean-up days, removed barriers to canoeists and helped improve launch sites.

“It’s important to those of us living in Waterloo to have a stream that is clean and inviting, a destination for canoeists, particularly in the spring. Waterloo is the site of a new trail center as part of the Glacial Heritage Area.

We’re excited to explore becoming a chapter which will provide us with the organizational structure that has been lacking in the past,” says Matt Ziaja, one of the chapter organizers.

The Waterloo group will meet on Tuesday Feb. 4 at 6:30 at Waterloo Regional Trailhead Facility.

To learn more contact Matt Ziaja, Alderman, Ward I, City of Waterloo, 920-541-6942 or Matt.Ziaja@gmail.com, or check the Maunesha River Alliance Facebook page.

Thanks to a grant from the Brandt-Quirk Foundation, the RRC will provide a facilitator to help these two groups develop their action plan for their chapter, including organizing events this spring.

The Coalition Board is excited about this opportunity. One of the board’s challenges is how to work locally on stream specific actions while maintaining a basin-wide vision. Chapters provide the perfect vehicle to meet this challenge.

If you would like to know more about forming a Chapter view our RRC Chapters Fact Sheet or contact Suzanne Wade at Email: suzanne@rockrivercoalition.org.