Lisa Jo Frech

Raindrops to Refuge

Lisa Jo Frech is an independent consultant providing board and organizational development, collaboration, facilitation, grant writing, and public relations services to public and private clients in the fields of natural resources and the environment. Ms. Frech is dedicated to the success of nonprofit environmental organizations and brings to her clients a broad base of experience tempered with enthusiasm, humor, and straight talk.

Prior to beginning her consulting practice in 2000, Ms. Frech founded the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, a regional environmental consortium of 32 diverse organizations spanning two states and five counties, and served as its Executive Director for 12 years. She also worked as an environmental planner for the State of Virginia, the State of Delaware, and the National Park Service, Rivers and Trails Program; and founded two local land trusts, which continue to thrive.

Ms. Frech is a contributing author of several publications, including "The Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River Public Access Guide", "Covering the Coasts", a reporter's guide to coastal and marine resources, and "Delaware's Coastal Heritage Greenway Auto Tour". She has produced several films; the most recent is "Partnerships for Clean Water."

In addition to consulting, Ms Frech teaches Introduction to Environmental Mediation, Environmental Ethics, and Starting a Non Profit Organization at Marylhurst University in West Linn, Oregon. She received her certificate in mediation from Marylhurst. She is a regular speaker at the National River Rally hosted by River Network. Other speaking engagements include: Keynote - 6th Annual Virginia Watershed Conference, Harrisonburg, Va.; Maryland State Planners Association; Eastern European Environmental Journalists Tour, Environmental Health Center, Washington, DC; Watershed '96 Conference, Baltimore, Md; National Watershed Coalition ‘99 Conference, Austin, Texas; Sierra Club; The Nature Conservancy; Delmarva Discussions; and many civic groups & schools. Ms Frech is trained in Myers Briggs Personality Type and in Situational Leadership.

The following awards have been bestowed upon Ms. Frech: 1994 Environmental Award from the Nanticoke Watershed Preservation Committee; 1996 National Conservation Partnership Award from the National Park Service; 1999 J. Millard Tawes Award from the State of Maryland; 2000 Outstanding Cooperator Award from The Nature Conservancy and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center; and the 2000 State of Delaware Friend of Wetlands. These awards recognize Ms. Frech for her dedication to watershed health and her ability to help diverse and conflicting constituents find common ground.

Ms. Frech holds a masters degree from Temple University. Her office is on Chehalem Mountain.

Watershed Protection Beginning at Home

Sunday, March 30 from 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm

Ms Frech will discuss briefly the concept of a watershed and its significance to community health and even global health, then move into simple things individuals can do at home to protect their watershed and therefore their home. References between environmental health and economics will be made. Connections between watershed health and sustainability will be made. Her talk will be informative, energetic, and leave you feeling like one person can easily make a difference. Handouts will be available.