Ada, Liberty Township and most of the northwestern portion of Hardin County is part of the Ottawa River Coalition.

Ada’s connection to the coalition is through the Grass Run area that encompasses Liberty Township.

The coalition, now in its 28th year, recently held its 2021 annual meeting in a virtual format, according to Haley Belisle, an Ohio Northern University graduate, who is now its executive director.

Belisle said, “This annual event is a time for the coalition to reflect on the achievements of the organization and look ahead to future endeavors.

This year, the coalition was able to remove the Allentown Lowhead Dam in the Ottawa River. This was a significant effort from our members and partners to establish long-term improvements in water quality.

We are looking ahead to a drive-thru version of our annual Good Friday Fish Fry, as well as establishing a scholarship fund, which are also firsts for the coalition.”

Belisle has served as the director of the Ottawa River Coalition since early 2020 after Beth Seibert stepped down.

During the annual meeting, 2021 officers were elected. They are Joe Gearing, chairman, representing the Allen County Engineer’s Office; Tyler Black, vice chairman, representing Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District; and Sophia Fisher, treasurer, representing the City of Lima Community Development Office.

Two persons were recognized during the annual meeting. They were Nate Tessler, as an outstanding watershed partner and Beth Seibert, who received the Watershed Impact Award.

About the coalition
The Ottawa River Coalition is a nonprofit collaboration of agencies, businesses, and organizations all working together to understand and protect water quality in the Ottawa River Watershed.

Their common connection is a shared interest in the health and well-being of our community and the life-giving natural resource that runs through it – the Ottawa River.

The local nonprofit is celebrating 28 years of partnering for a healthier river system. For more information, visit www.thisismyriver.org.