Sharon Wilbourne

Sharon Wilbourne (formerly Baker) is excited to join the Board of the Rogue River Watershed Partners (RRWP). She joined in late 2020. Sharon hopes to help the Partners with public outreach and education efforts surrounding the Rogue River. To help expand the local community understanding of the many values the Rogue River watershed provides to them. Encouraging them take "ownership" of this beautiful resource so close to where they live. 

She looks forward to aiding in the development of watershed restoration and protection projects for the Rogue River.

Sharon has a Masters in Science from CMU with a focus on all things aquatic, including watershed management, restoration, and protection. 

She is a retired Aquatic Biologist for the State of Michigan and was among other things, an Area of Concern (AOC) Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Office of the Great Lakes (OGL). While there, she helped in the formation or rejuvenation of many local AOC stakeholder groups. These groups are identified under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) between the US and Canada providing the local perspective on proposed projects and develop place specific watershed management goals for use by state, provincial, and federal agencies when begining environmental restoration efforts in the AOC's Watershed. Fostering and supporting partnerships between the current or historic industries, municipalities, or farms responsible for the various environmental contamination sites with the local stakeholders, state, and federal agencies.

Helping these local stakeholders set science based water quality and habitat goals for their watersheds. Guiding to the development of flexible and updateable watershed managenent plans which identify and prioritized projects needed to meet those restoration goals. A good plan develops long term stewardship committments to those restoration projects. A flexible management plan allows all of the partners to coordinate together to develop the best grant or funding proposals to take advantage of the many different funding sources in a timely manner as opportunities become available.

Sharon loves doing quiet low tech things outdoors. She recently began kayaking with her family. She is an avid book reader abd bird watcher. She enjoys gardening, and landscaping which includes native plant species to keep those species alive and well distributed.  Sharon is an enthusiastic "maker" and creator of many different types of hand craft projects and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others.
Sharon Wilbourne (formerly Baker) is excited to join the Board of the Rogue River Watershed Partners (RRWP). She joined in late 2020. Sharon hopes to help the Partners with public outreach and education efforts surrounding the Rogue River. To help expand the local community understanding of the many values the Rogue River watershed provides to them. Encouraging them take "ownership" of this beautiful resource so close to where they live. 

She looks forward to aiding in the development of watershed restoration and protection projects for the Rogue River.