Talk Description:
Southeast Michigan is being hit with more water each year as a result of climate change. This water moves within watershed boundaries, but does not respect political boundaries. If we are going to address the threat of more extreme rainfall, drier dry spells and more freeze/thaw events in Southeast Michigan, we must collaborate across municipal boundaries and think about upstream and downstream solutions. The Huron River Watershed Council is partnering with U of M and other research institutions to build resilience to climate change in our river and watershed communities. While we must foster collaboration between local governments, we must also foster watershed education and develop stewardship values in young people. The Clinton River Watershed Council is partnering with U of M to do this work by enhancing student streamside experiences and incorporating climate change into curriculums. Regionally, both Clinton River Watershed Council and Huron River Watershed Council are actively working with sister watershed groups across Southeast Michigan on collaborative initiatives that respond to the impacts of climate change through action, including deep investments in green stormwater infrastructure.

About the Speakers
Rebecca Esselman, Executive Director, Huron River Watershed Council

Rebecca Esselman is the Executive Director of the Huron River Watershed Council. She has more than 20 years of experience in water resource management and river protection. In her 14 years with HRWC she has led the organization’s climate adaptation efforts, implementing projects that prepare the river, as well as cities and towns, for a changing climate. She is a skilled facilitator, successfully bringing together diverse constituents to make progress on some of the most pressing issues facing our freshwater resources. Rebecca works at the state and regional level to increase the impact of HRWC’s work and create enabling conditions for the protection of the freshwater throughout the Great Lakes region. Prior to joining HRWC, Rebecca spent ten years with the Nature Conservancy. She holds a Master of Science in Conservation Ecology from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Botany from Michigan State University.

Jennifer Hill, Executive Director, Clinton River Watershed Council

Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Clinton River Watershed Council. Jennifer brings 19 years of experience in Great Lakes policy advocacy, non-profit organizational management, and coalition and partnership building. In her role with CRWC, Jennifer provides strategic direction to the organization, leads partnership building, and fosters program development. Jennifer has worked extensively in her career to develop unique partnerships, coalitions, and networks aimed at addressing the most pressing problems to the Great Lakes and she brings that skillset with her to CRWC every day. In her previous roles, Jennifer worked across the Great Lakes advocacy community to establish and advocate for sustainable funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, uplift community voices impacted by PFAS pollution, and to empower women across the conservation and environmental communities to grow as leaders. Jennifer received her B.A. in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and the Environment in 2005.

About Water@Michigan Coffee Talks:
Coffee Talks provide a monthly opportunity during the academic year to network, learn about pressing and emerging water-related issues, hear about ongoing water-related research, and meet new partners. In 2024/25, Water@Michigan Coffee Talks will explore the water-climate nexus.

You can register for this event here: https://graham.umich.edu/wateratmichigan/coffee-talks