OWCA Brief History Obed Watershed Community Association was organized in 2005 and received its 501(c)(3) status in early 2006. OWCA has a broad mission of educating the community about the historical, cultural and environmental resources associated with the Obed Watershed within Cumberland County. OWCA Highlights include: - In 2007, our work focused on both broader community education, advocacy, and the Stream Monitoring and Restoration Project, which involved the assessment of over 85 miles of streams and tributaries.
- Between 2008 and 2011, under a series of 319 grants and other funding sources, we have focused on addressing impairment issues within the headwaters of the Obed, targeting both streambank restoration and stormwater reduction techniques.
- To date, we have restored four wetlands with a total of 4.1 acres and acquired and maintained an additional 2 acre wetland, stabilized over 5,600 feet of streambank in eleven projects covering a total of two miles of streams, planted over 5,000 plants along streams and wetlands, and installed four rain gardens and two water capture projects.
OWCA Leadership
Day-to-day operations of the Obed Watershed Community Association are overseen by our Executive Director, Dennis Gregg. Dennis Gregg hold a
MS in Ecology from the University
of Tennessee and has
worked in Cumberland County since 1978. Prior to joining OWCA in 2007, he ran a small high school, the Obed Headwaters School. He has 30 years of administrative experience with non-profit
organizations, as well ten years of teaching experience in science and
environmental studies, including Adopt-A-Stream programs. Staff include:
June Zettelmeyer - Community Education Director
Angela Damron - Senior Staff
Rene Smith, Darcy Smith, Jason Smith, and Melissa Brown are all working as restoration specialists. OWCA is overseen by an able Board of Directors. The board convenes bi-monthly. Members of the board in 2011 include: Pete Peterson (President)
Brad Fox (Vice President)
Wayne Russell (Treasurer)
Kim Miller (Secretary)
Bruce Anderson
Brieka Schrade Our work is further guided by a Technical Advisory Committee that meets periodically lend professional expertise and feedback on the OWCA activities. Members of this committee in 2011 include: Clark Annis, Veolia N.A., Crossville, TN
Kevin Brown, TN Department of Transportation
Tiffany Foster, Tennessee Valley Authority
Dr. Dennis George, Center for Watershed Management, TN Tech University, Cookeville, TN
Mark Thurman, Research Biologist, TN Wildlife Resource Agency
Eric Brady, Stormwater Coordinator, City of Crossville
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