Harpeth Conservancy’s Post

This past week, Dr. Ryan Jackwood was a guest speaker to the inaugural TAP Summer Research Interns consisting of high school juniors and seniors from Hillsboro HS and Stratford HS. This summer, part of the focus for the students was water quality research and testing. The program is made possible through a collaboration between Vanderbilt University, The Ayin Project, POWER Youth, and Metro Nashville Public Schools.

What exactly is River Swing? River Swing is our annual river-chic fundraiser, gathering over 1,000 attendees at a picturesque farm in Franklin for an unforgettable evening. The event features top-notch entertainment, a jam-packed silent auction, delicious food and drinks, a photo booth, and much more. All proceeds support our mission to restore and protect clean water and healthy ecosystems for rivers in Tennessee. We believe everyone deserves access to clean water, and this event helps ensure we can continue our crucial work of galvanizing communities and decision-makers to safeguard our water resources for future generations. We are honored to highlight our presenting sponsor, FarmVet, whose generous support is instrumental in making this event possible. We also have exciting sponsorship opportunities at various levels, offering excellent visibility and engagement with a dedicated audience. By becoming a sponsor, your organization can make a meaningful impact on our mission while enjoying significant promotional benefits. This is a fantastic opportunity to align your brand with a cause that resonates with the community and showcases your commitment to environmental stewardship. Join us for an evening of celebration, community, and commitment to a cleaner, healthier future for our rivers. Together, we can make a difference! #RiverSwing #Fundraiser #CleanWater #TennesseeRivers #CommunitySupport #EnvironmentalProtection

Today, we participated in a public meeting hosted by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to learn more about their "Draft Intended Use Plans" (IUP) for Tennessee's "State Revolving Fund" (SRF), which supports water infrastructure projects - from stormwater management and sewage treatment plants to addressing emerging contaminants and replacing lead service pipes. We're partnering with organizations in Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas to build capacity for advocacy that centers equity in our state's water infrastructure investments. Learn more about State Revolving Fund Advocacy here: https://lnkd.in/guAMCM_9 River Network, Environmental Policy Innovation Center, PolicyLink, Native American Indian Association of TN, Inc., Protect Our Aquifer, Young, Gifted & Green™

As we continue to highlight the incredible biodiversity of the Duck River and the important efforts to protect this precious natural resource, we must mention that this river is home to an astonishing diversity of freshwater mussels, vital for maintaining clean and healthy water. These natural filters play a crucial role in the river's ecosystem, making them an essential species to protect and celebrate.

🌟 We’re Hiring! 🌟 Harpeth Conservancy is looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team. We have two exciting full-time opportunities available: 1. Clean Water Protection Director As part of our strategic growth, we're seeking an experienced leader to drive our public policy work, lead advocacy efforts, and build coalitions to ensure clean water and healthy rivers for all Tennesseans. This role requires expertise in conservation policy, campaign management, and a commitment to environmental justice. 2. Operations Manager We’re also seeking an organized and dynamic Operations Manager to oversee the smooth functioning of our organization. This position involves managing daily operations, coordinating with different teams, and ensuring our activities align with our mission to protect Tennessee’s waterways. Are you or someone you know a perfect fit to join our team? Then don’t wait to apply! Check our job posts via LinkedIn! #CleanWater #Conservation #EnvironmentalPolicy #Operations #NonprofitJobs #Tennessee #JoinOurTeam #HarpethConservancy

Throughout the year, we partner with schools to offer experiential workshops about how to protect Tennessee’s clean water and rivers from pollution. We also have a partnership with Warner Park Nature Center to steward the “river exploration” session at PEN Pals - 7 summer outdoor camps for over 150 youth from community centers in neighborhoods across Davidson County. Our “river exploration” session along the Little Harpeth River encourages curiosity about Tennessee’s biodiverse rivers, fosters appreciation for nature through experience, and builds awareness about the importance of watershed health. As the Middle Tennessee area grows at a rapid pace, there is an increasing need for the next generation to understand the importance of protecting our watersheds. Our workshops and our collaboration with Warner Parks’ PEN Pals program offer unique opportunities for youth to engage nature hands-on learning with our passionate staff and connect with the beauty and value of our waterways. The most impactful education happens when students are able to experience our rivers first-hand and nurture their own relationships to nature. Through this programming, we invite young people to become active participants in our work to prevent pollution in our drinking water supply and to maintain healthy areas for biodiversity and for recreation. Thank you Nashville Predators Foundation for supporting this critical program!

🌿 Join Us at the Mill Creek Clean Up Event! 🌿 We're excited to invite you to our next clean up event along Mill Creek this Saturday, June 15, from 10 AM to 12 PM. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible impact on our environment by collecting trash and debris while also learning how to become a lifelong advocate for clean water and a dedicated river steward. Together, we can make a difference. Let's work towards a cleaner, healthier Mill Creek! Event Details: 📅 Date: Saturday, June 15 🕙 Time: 10 AM - 12 PM 📍 Location: Mill Creek Greenway Register: https://lnkd.in/e_-PjgVM Thank you to our funding partners: Tennessee Valley Authority, Centennial Park Conservancy, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and Cosecha Community Development Your participation and support are crucial in helping us protect and preserve our precious waterways. We look forward to seeing you there! #CleanUp #EnvironmentalStewardship #CleanWaterAdvocates #SustainableFuture #MillCreek

This week, HC participated in the Southern State Revolving Fund project led by PolicyLink and River Network! Water advocates from Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee gathered in Houston to kick off the project with planning and power mapping. Over the next year, folks from various groups from the four southern states (see below) are collaborating to learn about equitable water infrastructure investments and how to advocate for the resources our communities need to ensure clean water for all. Representing the communities of the South are Alabama Rivers Alliance, Blackbelt Women Rising , The Capacity Collaborative, Southern Poverty Law Center , Fisherman Interested in Sustaining our Heritage, Native American Indian Association of TN, Inc., Young, Gifted & Green™, Harpeth Conservancy, Water Collaborative of NOLA, Protect Our Aquifer, West Street Recovery, Coalition for Environment, Equity and Resilience, Rio Grande International Study Center, Alliance for Affordable Energy, and Bayou City Waterkeeper. Stay tuned for more information! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/guAMCM_9 . . #DefendRivers #WaterIsLife #StateRevolvingFund #Wastewater