The journey to your glass begins here!
From the headwaters of the James River!
The James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) is a grassroots, not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization working to improve and protect the water quality of the springs, streams, rivers, and lakes in the James River Watershed which consists of almost a million acres of land in portions of 7 counties. Click for basin map.
Basin Facts:
* 563 springs * 598 gaining streams * 151 losing streams * 3,163sinkholes *
* 931,112 acres * 95 % of SW Missouri’s drinking water comes from groundwater *
JRBP was formed in 1997 as a project of the Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development. In August of 1999, James River Basin Partnership became an autonomous organization, relying on grant funding and membership donations from individuals, businesses and governments across the watershed.
Leading the organization is a core group comprised of the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Executive Director, Project Managers, and support staff. The JRBP Board is comprised of dedicated volunteer members from across the region that represent the diversity of the James River Watershed—county and city governments, educators, citizens, businesses, agriculture, and members-at-large. The JRBP Board is a working board and each member serves on one of our action committees.
The strength of JRBP can be substantiated by the number of committed, local citizens involved in JRBP projects, the quality of and high degree of participation in our programs and events, and by the numerous, successful, collaborative projects with other organizations that are also working for better water quality.
Our Goals:
- Implement water quality evaluation protocol.
- Implement programs to positively impact water quality.
- Increase citizen participation in water quality issues.
- Develop sustainable funding sources.
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
LARRY MARTIN DAVE COONROD RON DOUGLAS
PRESIDENT PRESIDENT EMERITUS VICE-PRESIDENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
DR. BETH BOWLES DR. WILLIAM CHEEK TRAVIS COSSEY
LOUANNE DANNER JASON FRANTZ DR. JANICE GREENE
BUD HOGAN DR. ROY HOLAND DAN HOY
TODD JOHNSON RAY JONES MARTIN MACDONALD
MIKE OWENS DR. BOBBY WIXSON BRYAN YATES
ADVISORY COUNCIL:
DR. A. DUANE ADDLEMAN TOM ALEY STACY BURKS
JENNIFER DALTON GORDON DAY KATHY KRAUS
DON LUCIETTA RITA MUELLER TODD PARNELL
BRIAN SHIPMAN
SUPPORTED IN PART BY:
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD BASS PRO SHOPS GREENE COUNTY
CITY OF NIXA CITY OF OZARK MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CITIZENS OF JAMES RIVER BASIN
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View James River Basin Partnership By-Laws
Joe Pitts- Executive Director
Joe has 20 years experience with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in which a major portion of that time involved serving in the Environmental Education Unit where he was the State Coordinator for Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). He also served in the Water Pollution Control Program Enforcement Section and most recently in the Water Protection Program Financial Assistance Center as a Project Coordinator in the State Grant and Loan Unit. This involved helping to provide loans and grants to Missouri communities for the construction of wastewater collection and treatment systems. He was also the Financial Assistance Center contact person for onsite sewage system issues. Joe also has worked as a teacher in the public schools and at the college level. Through Missouri State University Joe holds a B.S. Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management, an M.S. Degree in Biology and Lifetime Teaching Certification in biology and general science for grades 7-12.
Email: joepitts@missouristate.edu
Phone: (417) 836-8878
Melissa Bettes - Project Manager
Melissa Bettes graduated from Missouri State University with an Agronomy degree in 2004. She became a full time employee for the James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) in June of 2005. For the last 11 years she has been working in the on-site wastewater treatment (OWTS) field. She is licensed and certified in the state of Missouri for:
• On-site Soil Evaluator/Soil Scientist for OWTS -- MO#10079
• Disposal of Wastewater in Residential Housing Developments
• Basic OWTS Installer
• OWTS Inspector
• Member of the Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientist (MAPSS). Melissa is trained to write urban Nutrient Management Plans (NMP) through Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS). She provides approximately 30 NMP to residents of the James River Basin annually. She worked through the MU Extension on a 319 grant to help provide training for Manure Management Plans (MMP) in Southwest Missouri. She has managed the Septic Tank Pumping Reimbursement Program for the last six years. She is on a Christian County OWTS stakeholder committee.
Melissa has been involved in several of JRBP daily and annual responsibilities, such as: Membership, Basic office and financial tasks, Provide assistance in rain garden design, soil erosion control and stream bank restoration, Worked on several 319 grants including one with Table Rock Lake Water Quality grant, Brochure and other promotional material development, Watershed Festivals, River Rescue and the Dam Jam, Adopt-a-hwy cleanup program, Earth Day Cleanup.Melissa previously worked for the Corps of Engineers, Table Rock Lake as an Interpretive Park Ranger, her dues included park management, guest relations and educational presentations. Prior to furthering her education she owned and operator a Missouri state licensed daycare facility for 10 years.
Email: melissabettes@missouristate.edu
Phone: (417) 836-4847
Tiffany Frey – Project Manager
Tiffany graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders in 1995. She has been with the Partnership since 2006 with her beginnings as an AmeriCorps Stream Team assistant. Since that time, she has worked on many projects including helping to create and manage the Rain Barrel Program, Rain Barrel Reveal, Storm Drain Reveal and The Ripple Effect conference. She currently manages the Stormwater 319 grant and the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant. Her focus is Low Impact Development and urban stormwater issues. In 2004, Tiffany, her husband, and then 8 year old daughter turned a school bus into an RV that runs on waste vegetable oil and traveled across the country talking to others about alternative fuels.
Email: tfrey@missouristate.edu
Phone (417) 836-6183
Kellie Herman - Development and Education Outreach Manager
Email: jamesriverbasin@gmail.com
Phone: (417) 836-3756
Directions to the JRBP Office
117 Park Central Square,Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 65806
If you are coming from the South Side of Springfield:
- Take Campbell South toward the Down Town area
- As you enter the Down Town area you will notice a parking garage on the left
- Go RIGHT on McDaniel
- Take McDaniel to the corner of McDaniel and South Street
- You will see the Big Brick Building, Park Central Office Building located on the South East corner of the Park Central Square
- Second Floor room 225
Enter through South Street door:
Go to second floor and follow carpet hall until it dead ends at plastic flooring and go RIGHT. At the "T"T look LEFT and you will see our door.
Enter through McDaniel Street door with WHITE door overhead saying "Park Central Office Building, Missouri State" you will see ATM by alley:
Go up stairs to second floor and through the zip card door *no card needed*. Walk to end of hall and follow it to your LEFT. At the "T" look LEFT and you will see our door.
Public Parking:
All Parking Garages are FREE
Bus station parking is for 2 hrs
All street curbside parking is 1-2 hours
We are a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency region VII, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided partial funding for this project Under Section 319 of the clean
Board of Directors:
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