Bob Connour, a science professor at Owens Community College, has dedicated the past two decades to promoting the health of the Blanchard River and its surrounding environment. Since co-founding the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership in 2005, Connour has focused on educating the public about the importance of clean water.
“We’re lucky to live in a part of the world that has access to clean water,” Connour said. “A lot of what we do is educate people about clean water, what they can do to help, and why it’s so important.”
The partnership, a nonprofit organization based in Findlay, aims to protect and improve the health of the Blanchard River and its tributaries through educational initiatives, collaborative efforts, and conservation projects. Connour, who has been teaching biology at Owens since 2000, has a Bachelor’s in Biology from Knox College and a Master’s in Biology from Western Illinois University.
Among the significant projects initiated by the partnership is the Liberty Landing, a two-acre public park and boat launch on the west side of Findlay. This project included floodplain restoration and reforestation and was completed over five years ago. Connour noted that the restoration of the natural landscape is already showing positive effects.
“As an environmental biologist, I can look at it and see the impact we made,” he said. “It’s doing what it’s supposed to do. It’s having an impact on the water quality and river.”
The Blanchard River Watershed Partnership engages in various project scales, from hands-on restoration activities in small areas to larger initiatives like Liberty Landing, where they secure grants to hire professional contractors for site preparation and planting native species.
Connour often emphasizes the connection between local properties and the broader water system. He explains to community members how rainwater collected in their yards ultimately flows into the Blanchard River, affecting water quality downstream. “It’s got to go somewhere, and it’ll affect everybody along the way,” he said.
The group also organizes river cleanups, successfully removing several tons of debris, including tires and other trash, from the waterway. Connour recalled the poor conditions of rivers in the past, referencing the Cuyahoga River fires of the 1960s and 70s as a cautionary example. “Things are a lot better than they were, but it’s still about educating people,” he stated.
Earlier this year, the City of Findlay collaborated with the watershed partnership, Hancock County Commissioners, and the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District to secure funding through FEMA’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant for additional flood-mitigation projects.
Efforts to educate the community include leading Boy Scout groups to the river for various activities. Connour believes that fostering a connection to local natural resources encourages greater awareness and care for the environment. “If people don’t know about it, they don’t care,” he asserted. “It’s about getting people to know what’s in their backyard and why it’s important.”
Connour often reflects on the successes of his conservation work by enjoying the peaceful settings along the river. “I just sit and smile,” he said, expressing pride in contributing to improvements in the local landscape. “We all have something that is important to us, and mine is going outside and playing in rivers.”
