Knowledge & Education for Informed Decisions
The Knowledge and Education for Informed Decisions (K.I.D.) Working Group works with stakeholders, higher education institutions, and the general public throughout the Ohio River Basin to support research-backed decision making through collaboration and education.
Ohio River Discussion Series
Each winter, the K.I.D. Workgroup hosts a webinar series to make knowledge on Clean Water, Ecosystem Restoration, Research, Education, Transportation, Flood Control, and Recreation more accessible to the public. Winter 2026 webinars will be held on January 28 ("Funding the Future"), February 25 ("Turning Science into Stories"), and March 25 ("Student-Led Discoveries") from 12-1 PM Eastern. Click the buttons below to register for this year's series.
Wednesday, March 25, 12-1 PM Eastern Webinar:
"Student Voices" - Focus on Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District student research
Click here to register.
Student Voices – Focus on Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Student Research brings together three graduate researchers studying pressing water quality challenges in Ohio’s inland lakes. This webinar features student presentations on microplastic contamination in Tappan Lake Reservoir, sediment dynamics and the role of internal loading in algal bloom development, and the use of multi-platform remote sensing to characterize harmful algal blooms and invasive aquatic vegetation in Pleasant Hill Lake. Together, these presentations highlight the innovative research being conducted by the next generation of environmental scientists and engineers working to better understand and protect freshwater ecosystems across the Ohio River Basin.
Past Webinars
The Ohio River Discussion Series was originally created by the Ohio River Way in 2020. Since 2021, the Series was expanded to include additional ORBA partners to provide content and support. The series is hosted by ORSANCO, and is supported by the Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE), the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, Ohio University Voinovich School, Thomas More University, and West Virginia Rivers.
ORBCRE
MERGER
In 2024, the K.I.D. workgroup merged with the Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education (ORBCRE). The merger of the organizations led to the establishment of two Knowledge committees. The first (the KID Committee) will address ORBA priorities in Citizen Science, Public Education and Outreach, K-12 Teacher Training, K-12 Experiential Education, and related areas. The second Knowledge committee (the ORBCRE Committee) will address ORBA priorities by identifying knowledge gaps and research needs related to ORBA initiatives, establishing interinstitutional grant writing and research teams, and supporting broad-based education and training programs for workforce development.
K.I.D. Workgroup Highlighted Strategic Actions
Workgroup Objectives
1) to serve as ORBA’s liaison to leadership of each working group established in response to the Ohio River Basin (ORB) Strategic Plan;
2) to advise and support the work of working groups, agencies, and other entities established in the implementation of the ORB Restoration Initiative;
3) to keep the Board of Trustees apprised of progress and opportunities for ORBA in the broad areas of research and education; and
4) to support other strategic ORBA actions with scientifically sound data and analyses.
K.I.D. Workgroup Member Locations
Workgroup Leadership
If you'd like to join the Knowledge and Education for Informed Decisions (K.I.D.) Workgroup, email one of the Co-Chairs. The K.I.D. workgroup meets the second Tuesday of every month at 10:15 AM Eastern.
