It takes an invitation, a friendly face, and a bit of preparation to share an experience with a friend, neighbor, or colleague—one that helps them understand your curiosity, interest, and perhaps even your passion for the river. Sometimes it takes a second or third try. What matters is recognizing the value of that invited connection—whether it's a hike along the river, a paddle on the water, snapping a few photos, or simply choosing to disregard the raindrops and not worry if your makeup runs.

Join us to meet two individuals who live this approach in their work and hear about their impressive, in-progress successes. Panelists Chris Geden, Director of Community Engagement and River Guide at River City Foundation, and Herman Jenkins, Trails Program Manager for Friends of the Rouge, will share how they are inviting non-traditional urban residents to discover, connect with, and become part of their river-based programs in St. Louis (on the Mississippi River) and in Plymouth, Michigan (between Ann Arbor and Detroit).

The River City Foundation is comprised of 1. Big Muddy Adventures – a big river outfitter and guide company offering day and overnight canoe excursions on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers; 2. Terrain Magazine – an outdoor publication covering events, programs, and recreation opportunities throughout the region and beyond; and 3. River City Outdoors – a program providing outdoor experiences to youth, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities, who are often overlooked in outdoor access and inclusion efforts.

Friends of the Rouge "advocates, educates, explores, investigates, and restores." Each year, they engage thousands of people in hands-on restoration and stewardship efforts throughout the Rouge River watershed via a variety of public involvement and education programs.

Registration

On the second Tuesday of the month, the River Management Society hosts River Management Roundtables (facilitated virtual discussions) with professional river, greenway, and water trails leaders, planners, and managers who will benefit from peer-to-peer sharing. Our goal is to facilitate an open forum in which you can ask questions, share solutions and build comradery. There's no fee or membership requirement to attend, but registration is required to help us set expectations and improve our outreach. We will record the discussion and send it out to registrants within the week.

Watch the recording