Currents | May 2024

Did you know that the Great Lakes are the biggest freshwater source in the world? Lake Erie is the most productive for fishing of all the Great Lakes. Your support helps make our streams clean, clear and healthy so they can support this complex ecosystem. By donating to PCS, you help us reach our goals of restoring rivers that lead to Lake Erie beaches that promote fishable and swimmable conditions for generations.

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May 2024

Feature Welcome JesseIntroducing Jesse M Stock, our new Executive Director at Partners for Clean Streams! We are thrilled to have him on board to further the PCS mission of clean, clear, and safe water.

Jesse brings over twenty years of nonprofit experience to the role, spanning critical areas of operation including fundraising, grantmaking, leadership development, volunteer management, human resources, marketing and communications, and program delivery. His extensive career in the nonprofit sector includes roles at organizations such as the American Red Cross, Athens County Board of Development Disabilities, St. Vincent Family Centers, and COSI.

Since moving to Northwest Ohio, Jesse has been fostering connections and meaningful philanthropy throughout the Toledo area as a Philanthropic Services Officer at the Greater Toledo Community Foundation and most recently as the Director for Donor Relations at Zepf Center. Through active participation in Rotary and Leadership Toledo, as a board member for the local arm of the Association for Fundraising Professionals, and as a volunteer soccer coach at the East Toledo Family Center, Jesse has been able to connect meaningfully throughout the community by connecting with local changemakers and exploring opportunities for positive impact. He shares that one of his favorite local projects included work he did to help make the Glass City River Wall a reality. 

Jesse has long been an engaged community member and citizen, spearheading cleanup efforts as a member of the board at Friends of Strouds Run, and as a consulting participant in the development of the Baileys Trail System, a bike trail in Wayne National Forest. A native of southeast Ohio, Jesse has long been committed to taking good care of the beautiful land surrounding his hometown of Athens, Ohio. This longtime understanding of the value of preserving and protecting our outdoor spaces and natural resources made him eager to continue this work in the role here with Partners for Clean Streams. 

Before making his home in Perrysburg, Jesse led community grantmaking efforts and a leadership program at the Athens County Foundation. Through his role, he inspired philanthropy and service, dispelled stereotypes about the southeast Ohio region, and convened discussions meant to help community members develop solutions to community concerns. Jesse's journey is woven with threads of dedication, community, and unwavering commitment to serving communities.

Jesse's passion for service extends beyond his professional endeavors. With over 22 years of military service, including two tours in Afghanistan and recognition as a double Bronze Star recipient, he has managed complex missions and supervised teams with precision and excellence, earning praise for managing multi-million-dollar operations. He was able to keep grounded in its purpose to stabilize a region and found meaning in making sawdust blocks, so people did not burn trash to stay warm at night. While overseas, he also collected school supplies and soccer balls to distribute to kids in the area.

In addition to his professional and military achievements, Jesse is a devoted family man and lifelong athlete. A high school runner, Jesse has continued to engage in running, cycling, and soccer - and he often credits soccer for providing him a community no matter where he is. He enjoys coaching and refereeing soccer, as well as spending time with his wife, Robin, and their two children, Alia (21) and London (17). Through family, Jesse finds joy in the simple moments of life.

Though he was born and raised in Athens, Ohio, Jesse was no stranger to shores of Lake Michigan. His love for northern Michigan is now more than four decades long, and he enjoys annual trips to his family's century-old cabin on the shores of Crystal Lake in Frankfort, Michigan. The move to Perrysburg put him three hours closer to the place he most loves. There, he has taught his children to fish in the crystal-clear waters by the cottage, and to hunt Petoskey stones on the shores of the big lake - a pastime at which he joyfully competes against his voracious rockhound family members. 

With a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Franklin University and ongoing studies towards a graduate degree in business administration, Jesse combines his academic background with real-world experience to drive positive change and efficiency in every endeavor he undertakes. As Jesse assumes the role of Executive Director at Partners for Clean Streams, his passion, leadership, and commitment serve as a reminder that we can all play a role in a brighter tomorrow. 

Join us in welcoming Jesse Stock, an invaluable addition to the PCS team!

Education May EventsDon’t worry if you missed some of the Earth Month events, there’s still more opportunities to interact with you community this month. We have 2 more exciting upcoming events that you can check out! They are also posted on our calendar.

Toledo Plant Exchange:

What: The group is co-organized by the Lucas County Master Gardeners and a partnership with the Lucas County Fairgrounds. The purpose is to share plants, educate, and introduce local organizations! Attendees are a mix of new and experienced gardeners. The public begins dropping off their plants at 8:30 am, after which they're free to peruse the booths until the exchange opens at 10.

Where: Lucas County Fairgrounds 1406 Key St. Maumee, OH 43537, in the Arts & Crafts Building

When: Saturday May 4, 2024, 8:30am-11:00am

Metroparks Toledo’s Outdoor Expo:

What: Metroparks Toledo hosts the biggest annual event of the year at Side Cut Metropark. Metroparks is for everyone, and Outdoor Expo invites the community to try tree climbing, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, Kids Zone and much more. Metroparks outdoor skills experts will be on hand to guide you as you discover your next outdoor passion--regardless of ability. This is an inclusive event and staff are trained and ready to make accommodations. A low sensory zone will be available at the Lamb Center. Adaptive equipment will be readily available. Food trucks and music will be on site, so plan to make it a day in the outdoors at the Expo!

Where: Side Cut Metropark

When: Saturday May 18, 2024, 11am-4pm

Stewardship May CYS365Looking for some last-minute volunteer hours for school? Want to get involved in making an impact on your community? Look no further! There are 3 clean-ups we are looking forward to this month, and we hope to see you there. Sign up now!

Clean Your Streams 365

  • Highland Park: Saturday, May 4th, 12pm – 2pm
  • Memorial Park: Wednesday, May 8th, 5:30pm – 8pm
  • Kitty Todd Nature Preserve: Sunday, May 19th, 2pm – 4pm

Partnership Natures Nursery Clean upWe are thrilled to be partnering with Nature’s Nursery for a presentation and clean-up on May 8th! Come out to their new education center to meet their live animal ambassadors, and learn about why clean waterways are vital to their wellbeing. Sign up now!

Partners for Clean Streams will be collaborating with Nature’s Nursery for an enriching experience to learn the importance of clean-up efforts and the impacts on local wildlife.This event will start at 5:30pm at the NEW Nature’s Nursery location in Waterville, OH in their Davey Moore Education Center.  PCS staff will be hosting a presentation on marine debris impacts on wildlife, and who better to get the message across than the live animal ambassadors at Nature’s Nursery?! Attendees will have to opportunity to meet these animals, and then we will venture to Memorial Park to actively participate in clean-up efforts along the Maumee River.

For more information and to register, please visit the Nature’s Nursery website! Come out and support your community and make a cleaner habitat for people and animals!

Partners for Clean Streams Inc. is striving for abundant open space and a high quality natural environment; adequate floodwater storage capacities and flourishing wildlife; stakeholders who take local ownership in their resources; and rivers, streams and lakes that are clean, clear and safe