About Us
Our Mission
The Duck River Watershed Society is a membership organization that is focused on increasing the Watershed’s overall health and sustainability for the betterment of all who rely on it. We facilitate this through seeking out collaborative partnerships; educating those living throughout the Watershed, and engaging our members, and the public, in various recreational and ecological programming.
Our vision
Promote the uniqueness and sustain the health of one of the world’s most ecologically diverse Watersheds for the betterment of our river communities for generations to come.
Board Leadership
Kevin Ira Vann
Board Chair and Founder
Christian F. Rieseberg
Vice-Chair, Treasurer
George McGee
Secretary
Brian Wofford
Board Member
Bob Wilson
Board Member
Keith DeMell
Board Member
David Bradley
Board Member
A letter from our founder
As a kid growing up adjacent to Old Stone Fort Archeological State Park, I would often join the neighborhood kids as we jumped on our banana-seat bikes and scurried over to one of our favorite swimming holes along the Duck River. The water was cool, the cliffs imposing, and the smell of raw nature permeated the air. It was mystical. I would watch the rushing water and wonder “where does the river go from here?”
Fast forward to 1987, as a member of a civic organization called the Tennessee Jaycees, I organized the Duck River Watershed Project. Our purpose was to unite all the Jaycee Clubs along the Duck River in an effort to clean the river and to draw attention to the ongoing litter issue. It was a noble effort, but far from the impact we envisioned.
Today, our organization is renamed the Duck River Watershed Society. The name change reflects our focus on human capital, as our members will be the driving force for this grass-roots organization. We demand clean and safe drinking water for our families as we guarantee the viability of the most biodiverse river in North America.
Everyone living in the watershed has an investment in the sustainability of the Duck River. This ecological gem is in our backyard. It is imperative we protect it.
As a recently created nonprofit, we have ambitious plans for the entirety of the Duck River Watershed Basin. We shall pursue a modest approach initially and focus primarily on the Duck River Watershed in Coffee County. We welcome your thoughts and ideas. Come join us in our efforts.
Keep it Noble,
Founder/CEO
DRWS
