About CRWC
50 years of Protecting the Clinton River Watershed
The Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and celebrating the Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair.
What We Do
Through education, stewardship, programs and watershed management, the CRWC makes a difference in our local community for today and future generations. We provide residents, schools, governments, businesses and other community groups with wide-ranging programs and events to ensure a healthy Clinton River Watershed for us all.
How We Do It
Without you, there is no CRWC! All of our on-going success is due to an exceptional group of volunteers, sponsors, local residents, donors, staff members, businesses, teachers, parents, students, mentors, event contributors, community partners – everyone who comes together to give their time, energy and monetary donations to protect the Clinton River Watershed.
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
To improve the water quality within the Clinton River Watershed, deliberate and coordinated action is required from everyone, from the individual resident to local governments. With time and effort, the Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair are being restored. Join us as we continue to improve the Clinton River Watershed for this generation and the next to come.
CRWC Mission
The mission of the Clinton River Watershed Council is to protect, enhance and celebrate the Clinton River, its watershed and Lake St. Clair.
CRWC Vision
Individual and community actions protect and improve the health of the Clinton River, assuring that its natural, economic and recreational value enhances the quality of life of those who live, work and play in the Clinton River watershed and Lake St. Clair.
CRWC Core Values
Water Quality & Quantity
The quality of the water and stability of flow are important to support a diverse and healthy ecosystem and to provide recreational, economic, aesthetic and educational opportunities that are essential to our quality of life.
Stewardship
Protecting and enhancing our water resources is the responsibility of everyone in our watershed and requires the coordinated involvement and effort of individuals, businesses, governments and organizations throughout the watershed.
Land Use
The way we use our land determines the condition of our water resources.
Watershed Wide-View
With its watershed wide-view, the Clinton River Watershed Council is uniquely positioned to achieve our vision for the river.
Economy & Environment
A healthy environment promotes and sustains a strong economy, and a strong economy promotes and sustains a healthy environment.
Staff
Jennifer joined CWRC in 2022 as Executive Director, leading the organization in its mission to protect, enhance, and celebrate the Clinton River, its watershed, and Lake St. Clair.
Jennifer has 17 years of experience in Great Lakes policy advocacy, non-profit management, and coalition building. As Associate Director of National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Regional Center, Jennifer led the expansion of NWF’s work addressing PFAS in the region, including co-founding the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. She oversaw water, chemicals of emerging concern, and wildlife programs, led the strategic development in the region, and incubated new programming. Jennifer earned her B.A. in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan in 2005. Lake Huron is her family's happy place, and that is where they spend their free time, rain or shine, snow or sun.
Mikela began with CRWC in the summer of 2023 as the Watershed Ecologist.
She received a B.S. in Biology from The University of Michigan in 2018. Mikela also received a Master of Science from the University of Michigan in 2023, where she specialized in Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM) and Geospatial Data Science (GDS).
As the Watershed Ecologist, Mikela leads CRWC’s ecological, biological, and restoration work, including facilitating project development and implementation through partnership building, data collection, and field research. She leads the ecological restoration team, including supervising the Environmental Scientist and summer intern positions, working closely with volunteers, supporting the scientific needs of CRWC programming, and leading the CRCCP.
In her free time, Mikela enjoys spending time outside—whether she’s hiking, kayaking, or photographing nature.
Pronoye became an intern in the summer of 2021. In the fall of 2021, Pronoye became a member of the CRWC. Pronoye graduated from Oakland University in winter of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a Specialization of Natural Resource Sustainability and Management and a minor in Biology.
As the Watershed Program Specialist, Pronoye assists the Director of Education and Stewardship in planning and executing CRWC's stormwater and stewardship programs. She also assists the Chief Watershed Ecologist in completing any ecological applications from fieldwork to data entry.
Pronoye enjoys traveling, reading, and being outdoors.
Lydia started at CRWC in the spring of 2023. They earned an Associate of Science at St. Clair County Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Michigan Technological University.
Lydia has a deep connection to the outdoors. Prior to their arrival at CRWC, Lydia worked at Friends of the St. Clair River where they managed the Thumb Coast Storm Drain Art Project, where stormwater awareness was promoted through art initiatives across St. Clair County.
As the Environmental Scientist, Lydia assists in data collection and analysis in the field, works closely with volunteers and communities within the watershed, and leads CRWC’s Weekly Clean Program.
Cole began working at the Clinton River Watershed Council in February of 2023. His background includes graphic design, multimedia content creation, and strategic communication. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication from the University of Michigan - Flint.
As the Development and Communication Specialist, Cole oversees the CRWC's publication, website, and social media efforts. He is responsible for the CRWC's strategic communication plan, analytics tracking, and marketing its programs and volunteer opportunities.
Cole enjoys backpacking, traveling, and photography.
Jeffery Schiffman started at CRWC in June of 2023 as the Watershed Planner and has a Juris Doctor, Master of Urban Planning, Design, and Development degree from Cleveland State University.
For several years, Jeffery was the Conservation Project Manager at Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Later he served as the Land Bank Administrator for the City of Cleveland in the Division of Neighborhood Development. He moved to Southeast Michigan in late 2020 and worked at the City of Flint in the Planning Department.
As CRWC's Watershed Planner, Jeffery is responsible for leading and developing a suite of programming focused on connecting and re-connecting communities within the watershed to the River. He will plan and implement activities relating to green infrastructure and the needs of WaterTowns communities, counties, and regional partners working within the watershed.
Kaleigh started with the CRWC in 2019 as an intern, returning again in 2020, and again in 2021 as staff member. She graduated with honors from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a Specialization in Resource Sustainability and Management as well as a minor in Biology. She also holds a remote pilot certification for conducting drone operations.
As Director of Education and Stewardship, Kaleigh leads the program team in the coordination of CRWC's education and stewardship programs and events, as well as the development of new programs. She also manages all service contracts with partner communities related to their stormwater education compliance permits.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending all the time she can on the water.
Janice oversees the day-to-day finances of the Clinton River Watershed Council. She has been an accounting professional for over 20 years and has a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University.
In her free time, Janice enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Board of Directors
Shawn Keenan President
Jeff Bednar 1st Vice President
Stacey McFarlane 2nd Vice President
Greg Kacvinsky Treasurer
John Kosnak Secretary
Stefanie Bailey Director
Diana Evennou Director
Joerg Hensel Director
Aaron Loiselle Director
Kimberly Meltzer Director
Erin Quetell Director
Becky Quinn Director
David Szlag Director
CRWC HISTORY
For nearly 50 years, the CRWC has served to coordinate the efforts of local governments, businesses, community groups and individuals in improving water quality, promoting innovative watershed management techniques and celebrating the river as a natural and recreational resource.
- The council was formed in 1972 as an association of local governments under the authority of the Michigan Local Rivers Management Act of 1964.
- In 1994, the council reorganized as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which allows CRWC to obtain funding from grants and private donors.
- Today, we are supported by local and county government membership dues, business sponsorships, state, federal and private grants and individual contributions.
248-601-1280
1115 W Avon
