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, January 28, 12-1 PM Webinar:
"Funding the Future"
Funding the Future will explore how recent federal and state investments are supporting watershed restoration, source water protection, and recovery efforts across the Ohio River Basin. Hear from regional experts as they share real-world examples—from restoring Raccoon Creek and revitalizing the Mahoning River to addressing contaminants of emerging concern—and discuss how coordinated funding and partnerships are driving measurable environmental progress. Click here to register.
Speakers
Amy Mackey
Amy Mackey coordinates restoration work in the Raccoon Creek watershed and assists with other environmental projects as needed at the Ohio University Voinovich School. She has Associates degrees in Wildlife Management and Natural Resources Management from Hocking College and a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fish Conservation and Management from the University of Rio Grande. She collaborates with landowners, citizens, universities, non-profits, businesses, local, county, state, and federal agencies and has worked with the Ohio University Voinovich School since 2007.
Stephanie Dyer
Stephanie Dyer is the Environmental Program Manager at the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and District Six Liaison for the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program. She manages the Areawide Water Quality Management Plan for Mahoning and Trumbull Counties and leads regional watershed planning efforts, working closely with Ohio EPA and local partners to revitalize the Mahoning River. Stephanie brings the Mahoning River and its watersheds back to life by championing for the removal of the river’s low head dams, providing education to local and state officials, civic groups, residents, and students, and participates in outreach activities promoting watershed functions, quality improvement techniques, and personal responsibility.
Chloe Brantley
Chloe Brantley’s professional experience includes water policy and regulation, water resources management, water/wastewater infrastructure, and project interface between federal, state, regional, and local agencies. Chloe has held various roles for URS Corporation in the Western United States, Kentucky Division of Water, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. She is currently serving as a source water specialist for Kentucky Rural Water Association, and her background is Ecology & Sustainability and Environmental Studies.
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.
