It’s safe to say that the 2025 Spring Confluence was our most impactful gathering yet—and it’s all thanks to the incredible community that showed up, participated, and made it truly memorable. Held at the beautiful Westminster College campus, this year’s event was a convergence of passion, purpose, and people who care deeply about water stewardship across the Upper Ohio River Basin. With powerful presentations, interactive exhibits, and meaningful conversations, the day was filled with energy and momentum that we’re still riding high on.
From the start, the tone was set by our keynote speaker—whose message resonated deeply with attendees, inspiring a collective sense of urgency and hope. The sessions that followed featured an exciting range of topics: data innovation, youth leadership, cross-state collaboration, and good governance for watershed groups. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from and engage with speakers from conservation districts, academic institutions, local governments, and volunteer stream groups—many of whom shared slides that we hope to distribute soon.
The “Boatload of Knowledge” displays offered visual insight into the incredible work happening across the region. From macroinvertebrate monitoring to climate resilience projects, these poster boards sparked conversations and connections that we hope continue long after the event. A few attendees suggested more time to interact with these exhibits next year—a great note we’re already thinking about as we plan for Fall.
Special thanks go out to Westminster College for hosting us and providing logistical support that ensured everything ran smoothly. And a huge shoutout to the organizing team and volunteers behind the scenes—you made this all happen. Thanks also to the roving photographer (a talented Westminster student!) for capturing the day.
We also heard valuable feedback from participants. Ideas like color-coded name tags for easier networking and brief attendee polling during opening remarks (e.g., “stand up if you’re from the Mon Basin!”) are simple touches we may incorporate in future events to build connection right from the start.
As we turn the page toward summer, we’re also setting our sights on August—National Water Quality Month. The momentum we built at Confluence will continue as we lift up local projects, amplify community voices, and highlight the critical importance of protecting water health throughout our region.
Whether you’re new to the network or a longtime friend of H2O, we want to thank you for your dedication, your ideas, and your passion. This Confluence was a snapshot of what’s possible when we come together. Let’s keep showing up, keep sharing stories, and keep strengthening our community of care for our rivers, lakes, and streams.
Your Whiteboard Comments from the June 2025 Confluence
At this year’s Confluence, we invited participants to share thoughts, brainstorm ideas, and raise questions directly on the whiteboards throughout the event space. What resulted was an inspiring collection of insights—some practical, some aspirational, and all deeply valuable. Below is a summary of what you shared. These notes will guide our next steps, inform programming, and help shape our collective work moving forward.
💧 Water Challenges & Community Needs
- Polluted water entering our rivers—our drinking water source—needs urgent attention.
- “How do we prepare for and rebound from floods in a post-FEMA world?”
- Many rural water districts (W.D.’s) struggle with attracting and retaining members.
- Utilities often lack resources—how can we better support them?
- Engage colleges and universities to help local W.D.’s.
- Support for nativist-regulated areas is needed.
- Funding for Ohio River Basin (similar to the Chesapeake Bay model).
- Encourage outdoor engagement: “Explore our Ohio Basin Water Trails.”
- Strengthen outreach to congressional reps to join the ORB Caucus.
- Coordinate POWR’s list of water events and community activities.
- Make the next generation feel empowered—not jaded.
🌟 Storytelling, Hope & Sharing Success
- “Lots of successes and exciting projects—how do we get the stories out?”
- Answer: StoryMaps!
- Keep doing the work.
- Celebrate successes.
- Cheer on others.
- “It may feel like it doesn’t matter, but keep voting.”
- Change happens—stay the course.
- “The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t always an oncoming train :)”
- “Never give up hope—optimism is contagious.”
🧠 Policy, Planning & Strategy
- Fill in gaps when regulation enforcement lessens.
- Think state and local, basin-wide.
- Capture the impacts of funding cutbacks.
- AMD and bacteria issues—how should they be prioritized?
- Programs exist—but are they enough?
- Support agriculture via conservation districts.
- Continue engaging universities and colleges as partners.
🗺️ Organizational Strength & Participation
- Issues to tackle:
- Watershed organization recruitment.
- Build membership.
- Think intergenerational.
- Resource funding and alignment.
- Highlight and coordinate water recreation opportunities.
- Maintain a public calendar.
- Share events and trail updates.
- Watershed organization recruitment.
- Recommendations for future events:
- More networking time.
- More Q&A opportunities.
- Provide attendee info in advance (e.g., geographic regions).
- Consider brief “introduction sessions” for new attendees.
- Keep the format contributory and inclusive.
This feedback is a testament to your energy, vision, and unwavering commitment to our shared mission. Thank you to everyone who picked up a marker and helped shape these conversations. Your ideas will continue to ripple through the network long after the whiteboards were erased.
Let’s keep the dialogue going.
