Jane Conroe is the Vice Chair of the Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium. Ruth Lundin introduced her, noting that the Environment has become the 7th Area of Focus for Rotary. Jane Conroe has lived in the area since she and Doug moved here in 1980 and her love, knowledge and commitment to the area waters has grown as she raised her family here, then taught, and finally worked for water issues with Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy in addition to volunteering for other organizations. She currently is vice-chair of the Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium. It is a new organization that serves as a voice of protection for our region’s water, both surface and ground, and all of the creatures who depend on it. It is a Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate under the auspices of Conewango Creek Watershed Association (CCWA). Waterkeeper Alliance affiliates are in 45 different countries. CCWA is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It promotes stewardship in the Conewango Creek watershed-which includes Chautauqua Lake. Every year since 2008 the CCWA has done a river cleanup. Starting in 2015 they included the Chautauqua Lake Outlet with the support of the Chautauqua Lake Association. In 2020 the groups could not do a clean-up. In 2021 CCWA and the Consortium are coordinating small-group/individual clean-up actions throughout the watershed, from Bear Lake to Chautauqua Lake all the way down through Warren to where the Conewango flows into the Allegheny River. |