Come join us for a special networking occasion. At this meeting we will have the unique opportunity to chat with several coordinators and leaders of a few key environmental organizations in the region. We are planning this gathering to have a little more time available than our traditional Latino Community Coalition luncheons, so please mark your calendars and set aside some time after lunch to stay and chat with these guests. Environmental organizations are eager to engage the Latino and Hispanic community, they want to learn about your priorities and are seeking partners with some of their upcoming programs. But they also want to hear what are your priorities and what your community wishes to focus on.

We will feature three brief presentations from:

• Francisco “Paco” Ollervides, Leadership Development Manager for River Network as he highlights a few cases of Hispanic groups involved in the environmental issues at a national scale.

• Elaine Sterrett Isely, Director of Water Programs with West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) will provide an overview of WMEAC's water projects, including information about what you can do to protect the environment and your local water resources, and

• Wendy Ogilvie, Director of Environmental Programs at Grand Metro Valley Council and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds will share their efforts in protecting and restoring our Lower Grand River watershed.

Expect in attendance and tabling half a dozen additional individuals and organizations that are hoping to meet with you after lunch. Please note that although a few tables will be set aside for you to have materials to share, we don’t expect this space to be very large so we recommend your materials to be handouts. If you have any of these materials in Spanish, this will be a great audience to share with.

For questions please reach out to Paco Ollervides (follervides@rivernetework.org)