2013 Photo Contest

The Friends of the Jordan River Watershed is pleased to announce its 9th Annual Visions of the Valley photography contest and calendar.

Photographers young and old, novice or pro, are invited to enter their favorite photographs reflecting the spectacular nature of the Jordan River Watershed.

Theme for the 2014 edition is “The Rhythm of the River.”

Fourteen photographs will be selected by an independent judge for cash awards and a page or cover in the 2014 Visions of the Valley Calendar. Cash awards include those for grand prize, viewers' choice, president's choice, youth, and 10 more, all sponsored by individuals and local businesses. All photos must have been taken within the Jordan River Watershed.

Awards will be presented on the afternoon of Saturday, September 21 at the annual Awards Celebration at the Jordan River Watershed Center, 101 Union St., in East Jordan, which will also feature music and refreshments along with an exhibit of all the entries.

Deadline for entries is August 5, 2013.  For submission guidelines and details read our FAQ Page, download Entry Form

Young Friends of the Jordan 2013 Summer Program


Read all about this years event on our facebook page

Get detailed brochure with registration information

Active Issues

NMEAC honors local activists

Dr. John Richter, receives the Clarence Kroupa Award >> Read story in the Traverse City Record-Eagle

Biodiversity Matters

Friday, February 22nd, 2013 marks one of the darkest days in Michigan’s natural history. That was the day Michigan’s Senate quietly passed S.B. 78 which specifically removed “Biodiversity” from the long held stated goals and policies by which our state has managed our public-owned natural resources. No longer will nature, diversity of species or environmental quality be considered or stand in the way of logging, mining or drilling for oil and gas in our State Forests Few people recognize the signif....

Read the whole story by Dr. John W. Richter - President, Friends of the Jordan River Watershed Inc.

When Fracking Comes to Town

This presentation is by Cal Tillman, former mayor of Dish, Texas, and featured in the movie Gasland. Through his personal story, he shows the connection between unconventional, slick water, deep shale horizontal fracking, and the degradation of living conditions that eventually force him to move his family away from Dish to protect their health.

Northern Michigan is the next target for intense development of the Utica Collingwood Shale by the oil and gas industry.

This presentation was made at Harbor Springs High School in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Don't Frack Michigan was the sponsor of the presentation. They seek a ban of fracking of this type.