On Thursday, March 11, at 7:30 pm, Kokomo Area Creation Care, an affiliate of Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light will host a zoom meeting with a presentation on the Restoration of the Eel River by Dr. Jerry Sweeten. Starting in 2004, Dr. Sweeten became Professor of Biology and Director of the Environmental Studies Program at Manchester College. The program grew from 6 students to over 50 students by 2018. Students were engaged in ecological restoration research along the Eel River watershed. As a result of their work, fish and other aquatic animals are thriving that haven’t lived in the stream in decades. The conservation efforts received national attention when the Eel River was named one of the top 10 improved watersheds by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2016.
The research included: nonpoint source pollution, removal of four dams from the Eel River, construction of a prototype fish ladder around the Stockdale Mill Dam, augmentation of a state endangered fish (Redside Dace), the reintroduction of a federally funded endangered mussel (club shell) to the Eel River, and multiple fish research initiatives.
After retirement in 2018, Dr. Sweeten co-founded Ecosystems Connections Institute, LLC. The company is engaged in helping communities with restoration across Indiana. He has received a wide range of recognition for his work among which are the Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching, Ball State University, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management and Outstanding Research, Indiana chapter of the American Fisheries Society.
Kokomo Area Creation Care welcomes all people of faith and individuals who are looking for ways to be better stewards of our Earth’s resources. Please email our president Lenore to get instructions for joining the zoom meeting at
lenoreskane@outlook.com
Related
