Defiance Research Alliance (DRA) is a partnership between the City of Defiance, OH and Defiance College that addresses the water quality challenges in the Maumee Watershed. This is a focused collaboration between students, educators, researchers, and community leaders invested in conducting applied research and providing vigorous outreach and education. Our goal is for this conference to showcase the work of the Defiance Research Alliance since 2022, highlighting the value of working with a diverse group of stakeholders and building collaborative partnerships.
APRIL 2: Student Engagement and Field Day
With an emphasis on science students, educators, and researchers involved with water quality, we will share the work being done by the DRA, and the importance of improving the health of the Maumee Watershed. Throughout the day, attendees will have an opportunity to tour the campus science facilities, including the Maumee Watershed Research Center, hear from a panel of Defiance College student researchers, network with environmental organizations, and take a guided field trip to visit the Conservation Ditch Project in rural Defiance County. Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of regional conservation and environmental organizations as well as academic, career and workforce opportunities in the field of water quality.
APRIL 3: Source Water Protection and Innovation in Conservation
Featuring at least two panel discussions and multiple speakers with a focus on sustaining and developing collaborative relationships for the purpose of source water protection. We will highlight innovative conservation practices and applied research happening in the Defiance area. The entire day will be relevant for watershed professionals, federal, state, and local agency staff, researchers, farmers, crop consultants, and community leaders with opportunities to network with conservation and environmental organizations in the watershed. We will have a gallery for project and research-based poster presentations and offer a tour of the newly renovated Maumee Watershed Research Center.
The Land to Lake Conference “Partnerships for Practical Solutions” presented by Defiance Research Alliance will energize attendees so we can all continue working together to improve water quality in the Maumee River Watershed. We are still in the planning stages, so please share your suggestions and we hope you will join us there!
Confirmed Presenters:
- Chris Winslow, Ohio State University’s Stone Lab and Ohio Sea Grant
- Dan Wire, Maumee Watershed Alliance
- Matt Fisher, Lake Erie Foundation
- Hannah Allen, City of Fort Wayne
- Joe Ewers, City of Defiance Water Treatment Plant
For More Information, Please Contact:
Dana Peterson dpeterson@defiance.edu or Jennifer English jenglish@cityofdefiance.com