JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton County residents have a thirst for knowledge!
Whether engaged citizens chime in on the latest planning considerations or residents of all ages show up to public presentations on exciting new topics, the overwhelming majority of locals have the same zest for learning that as they do for playing in the mountains or out on the rivers and lakes. It’s one of the community’s greatest strengths in the face of an ever-changing future.
To that end, Tap Into Science, a free public presentation series created by Protect Our Water Jackson Hole (POWJH) in July 2022 and generously hosted by Snake River Brewing (SRB), is back! POWJH and SRB are proud to offer four water-related presentations this summer from June to September and are optimistic that the featured speakers will have something to offer everyone who calls this valley home.
Dwight Reppa, owner of Macy’s Services, will kick off the presentations this Monday, June 17, at the Brewpub. Attendees are welcome to join starting at 6:30 p.m., and the presentation will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the courtyard. Dwight’s presentation, “Much ado about septic! Proper septic system care and maintenance helps your household and our watershed,” will provide an overview of how septic systems work, common system types utilized across our valley and ‘the do’s and don’ts’ of system maintenance. In short, a little bit of informed management can be a lifesaver by preventing disruptive, unpleasant, and expensive problems down the line!
Having confidence that your septic system is functioning properly not only fortifies your bottom line; it is one of the most impactful ways you can do your part to protect the quality of drinking water sources and watershed health for our entire community.
Accordingly, POWJH is excited to offer a new Septic System Pumping Cost Share Program for Teton County, WY residents! The first 75 households to sign up by Friday, July 19, 2024, will be eligible for a $200 reimbursement to help cover the costs of inspection, pumping or other necessary septic system maintenance. This program is funded by a POWJH Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education Grant. To sign up and find more information, visit: powjh.org/septicrebate
As summer continues, presentation topics will gradually shift from focusing on household-based actions that protect water quality to collective actions underway throughout our watershed to accomplish the same goal. Upcoming featured presentations are:
- July 15: “Are You Trout Friendly? Best Lawn Care Practices for Healthy Streams and Rivers”, presented by David Lee, Water Resources Specialist for Teton Conservation District.
- August 12: “WyACT: Wyoming Anticipating Climate Transitions – A multidisciplinary approach to better predict human-environment impacts of climate change on water availability and enable WY communities to prepare for significant, lasting changes,” presented by Brent Ewers, Director of the University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute and National Science Foundation EPSCoR.
- September 16: “Collaborative Approaches to Restoration and Water Management in the Snake River Headwaters,” presented by Leslie Steen, Wyoming State Director for Trout Unlimited, and Kathy Lynch, Wyoming Water Policy Advisor for Trout Unlimited.
With such a wide array of topics to choose from, POWJH and SRB hope that you find the time to grab a pint, pull up a chair, and learn more about how we all can better understand, restore and protect our community’s irreplaceable water resources! For more information and to stay informed about future presentations, visit: powjh.org/tap-into-science
