Friends of the St. Joe River Association, Inc upcoming events

Monthly Board Meeting (21 Apr 2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Monthly meetings of the Board of Directors and Watershed Council are usually held on the third Tuesday of the month. The April Board meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on April 21st at 1pm.

An email with login information will be sent to our stakeholder email list. If you do not already receive our regular meeting announcements via email, please indicate your interest in being added to our list at: fotsjr.outreach@gmail.com.

Meetings are free and open to the public, but you must contact us for login information at fotsjr.outreach@gmail.com if you are not a member, or do not already receive our emails.

Click here for the April Meeting Agenda
Click here for the March Meeting Minutes - coming soon!

St. Joseph River Watershed Celebration (15 May 2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Join the Friends of the St. Joe River Association for dinner and networking at our 18th Annual St. Joseph River Watershed Celebration at the Pokagon Band Community Center in Dowagiac, Michigan.

At the Center of It All

Stories of Transformation, Connection, and Endurance

This event will feature dinner, presentation of the Watershed Stewardship Award, and two stories connecting our region to the broader landscape.

The evening will open with a personal family story set in the Black Swamp of the neighboring Maumee River Watershed, reflecting on the transformation of massive marshy landscapes through drainage and settlement. Ted Beatty's story will be followed by dinner, and then Rob Hartman will share his story of paddling 80 miles solo straight across Lake Michigan — a journey of endurance and connection. Together, these stories ask us to think about where we live: a watershed that endures in ways its neighbors have not, defined by its geography, its wetlands, and its connection to Lake Michigan.

Dinner will be provided by Bneshi Mijem, featuring dishes with cultural significance to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.

Evening Agenda

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Registration, Social Time & Outdoor Activities
5:00 - 5:15 p.m. - Welcome & Opening Remarks
5:15 - 5:30 p.m. - Watershed Stewardship Award Presentation
5:30 - 6:00 p.m. - From the Black Swamp: A Family Story of Transformation
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Dinner
7:00 - 7:55 p.m. - 090 for 80: A Solo Lake Michigan Crossing
7:55 - 8:00 p.m. - Questions & Reflections

This year's event will follow the St. Joseph River Basin Symposium, which will be held at the same location earlier in the day (10:00 AM–4:00 PM), focusing on riparian law, water access, and governance across the basin.

For more information, contact fotsjr.outreach@gmail.com

23rd Annual St. Joe River Races (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Paddling and running races on the St. Joseph River!

Biathlon (Run-Paddle Challenge) – Winners based on cumulative time between 5K run and 3‐mile paddle. Paddle may be completed solo or as a team at 10:00 AM.
5K Running Race – Running course may be completed alone without participating in paddling events.
Solo Paddling Race – 3 mile and 7.2 mile solo paddling events for canoes or kayaks in the morning.
Team Paddling Race – 3 mile and 7.2 mile team/family paddling events for canoes or kayaks in the afternoon.

Registration at Boat Launch - Parking and bathrooms are available on the north side of street by pavilion and softball diamonds. Loading and limited parking in the launch area.

Special Recognition for "Iron People" who complete the Biathlon, 7.2 mile solo paddling race and 7.2 mile team paddling race.

Schedule of Events
7:30 AM – Registration Opens
8:30 AM – Pre‐Race Meeting
8:45 AM – 5K Running Race Start
10:00 AM – 3 Mile & 7.2 Mile Solo/Biathlon Paddling Race Start*
12:00 PM – Run‐Paddle Challenge & Individual Awards
1:00 PM – 3 Mile & 7.2 Mile Team Paddling Race Start**

Run Course Description: Race starts and finishes in Veterans' Memorial Park boat launch parking lot. Starts heading west (downstream) on river walk 1.5 miles to Howard Park footbridge turnaround.

Paddling Course Description: Race starts and finishes at the Veterans' Memorial Park boat launch. All racers begin downstream to Howard Park footbridge turnaround. All racers return to boat launch for 3‐mile finish time. 7.2‐mile racers continue upstream around Kamm’s Island (counterclockwise) and return to boat launch for finish.

PAST RACE RESULTS AVAILABLE HERE:

2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

VIEW COURSE RECORDS HERE

*Solo classes include:

Racing Canoe - C1 (USCA specs)

Production Canoe (most other canoes)

Open Racing Kayak - K1 (ICF and Unlimited)

Other Racing Kayaks as necessary (USCA specs)

Recreational Kayak (plastic, short, heavy)

**Team classes include:

4 Person Canoe or Kayak - C4, K4 (Unlimited)

2 Person Canoe - C2 (Pro Boats/Racing Canoes)

2 Person Rec Canoe - (aluminum and non-racing canoes)

Family Class - (more than two family members)

For more information visit:

http://tinyurl.com/StJoeRiverRaces

Or contact Matt Meersman at paddleheadz@gmail.com

Entry fee $20 per person (covers all races)

Proceeds benefit the Friends of the St. Joe River Association