As the watershed scientist for Friends of the Reedy River, Josie spends her days working to protect one of our most important waterways in the Upstate. Native plants play a critical role in the preservation and restoration of streams and wetlands in the Reedy River watershed. Josie will share more on the importance of riparian buffers and native plants, and how FoRR uses them to improve the Reedy River’s water quality.
BIO:
A South Carolina native, Josie was raised on Lake Murray and enjoyed frequent visits to the waterfalls of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her family, developing a love and deep connection to water systems at a young age. She furthered her passions for environmental conservation and stewardship while attending Furman University in Greenville, SC, where she earned a B.S. in Sustainability Science.
Josie’s professional background includes stream and wetland delineation and permitting, as well as sustainable agriculture initiatives and riparian buffer management. Her passions lie in biodiversity protection, stream, wetland, and riparian zone conservation; promoting equitable access to outdoor spaces; native plant conservation; and public education and outreach within these areas to promote community engagement in protecting the invaluable resources of the Reedy River watershed.
Since August 2021, Josie has served as FoRR’s Watershed Scientist. She also sits on the Saluda River Basin Planning Council; the Reedy River Water Quality Group Best Management Practice Committee; the Reedy River Water Quality Group Public Outreach Group; and is a South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream Freshwater and Macroinvertebrate Trainer. She looks forward to connecting with you regarding ways to protect and preserve the Reedy watershed, improve and monitor the water quality of the Reedy and its tributaries, and help others learn about the intricacies of Greenville’s hometown river.
Outside of her professional commitments, Josie enjoys spending time outdoors, seeing live music, gardening, and crafting stoneware on the potter’s wheel.
Meeting Information
March 19, 2024
In person social time starts at 6:30PM
ZOOM opens at 6:50 for announcements
Presentation at 7PM
Kroc Center Greenville
424 Westfield St, Greenville, SC 29601
