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Owens Science Professor Has Spent Two Decades Protecting the Blanchard River

Owens science professor Bob Connour helped found the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership in 2005 and served as a past president.

When Bob Connour leaves his classroom at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus, the teaching doesn’t stop. The science professor helped found the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership in 2005 and has spent the two decades since showing the public why clean water matters.

“We’re lucky to live in a part of the world that has access to clean water,” Connour said. “A lot of what we do is educate people about clean water, what can you do to help with clean water, why it’s so important.”

The partnership is a local nonprofit based in Findlay that protects and improves the health of the Blanchard River and its tributaries through education, collaboration and conservation.

Connour has been at Owens since 2000, moving from western Illinois with his family, and currently teaches biology. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Biology from Knox College and a Master of Science in Biology from Western Illinois University.

Among the group’s efforts are establishing natural wetlands throughout the entire watershed of the river, such as Liberty Landing, a two-acre public park and boat launch on the west side of Findlay. The project included floodplain restoration and reforestation more than five years ago.

Owens science professor Bob Connour explaining the work done at Liberty Landing in Findlay.

However, Liberty Landing is just one of a multitude of projects Connour has been involved with in and around Findlay, Bluffton and Ottawa. Just like the other projects, Connour said the restoration of the natural landscape is already evident.

“As an environmental biologist, I can look at it and see the impact we made,” Connour said. “It’s doing what it’s supposed to do. It’s having an impact on the water quality and river.”

On smaller projects, Connour said the group will be hands-on with the restoration of natural areas. On larger projects, like Liberty Landing, the partnership uses grants to contract professional companies who can prepare the sites and seed with native plants.

In his conversations with community members, Connour said people are often surprised to learn that rain falling in their backyard will find its way to the Blanchard River and then on to the Maumee River and Lake Erie.

“It’s got to go somewhere, and it’ll affect everybody along the way,” Connour said.

The group also holds river cleanups, where they’ve retrieved tons of trash, car tires and other detritus from the river.

“In the 1960s and 70s, before the Clean Water Act and the environmental laws, things were bad. We all remember the Cuyahoga River catching on fire,” Connour said. “Things are a lot better than they were, but it’s still about educating people because you want to build that ethic of why its important. You build that idea in people that this is what we have and why we have to take care of it.”

The Blanchard River at Liberty Landing in Findlay.

Earlier this year, the City of Findlay partnered with the partnership, Hancock County Commissioners and Maumee Watershed Conservancy District to receive a notification of funds obligation on the FEMA Flood Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant, allowing for more flood-mitigation projects such as opportunities for wetlands and wildlife habitats.

Educating people is only one part of the puzzle, though. Connour tries to get people out to enjoy the natural resources the river provides. As a Boy Scout leader, Connour has brough countless scouts to the river to work on merit badges or simply play in the river. He said it helps create an emotional connection to the area which will allow people to care more about the work of conservation.

“If people don’t know about it, they don’t care,” Connour said. “When you get the word out there and why people should care, you build that ownership. It’s about getting people to know about what’s in the backyard and why it’s important.”

Connour makes sure to enjoy the fruits of his labors, too. He will often go by himself to various points along the river and just sit, enjoying what he’s been able to help accomplish.

“I just sit and smile. It makes me know that I was a part of improving something that is dear to me,” Connour said. “We all have something that is important to us, and mine is going outside and playing in rivers.”