Ridge to River is a 5-town coalition working toward clean water and flood resilience in Vermont’s Mad River Valley. We discovered quickly that managing stormwater across the Valley is a critical strategy for reducing our vulnerability to flooding, and we worked together for 2 years on a strategic process to explore this nuanced challenge, our community, and a range of possible strategies for building resilience. Come hear panelists Luke Foley and Ira Shadis speak about the growing program and goals for resilience in the Mad River Valley.

Join us in person or remotely via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89212586891
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Luke Foley is the Climate and Engagement Manager for Friends of the Mad River. Luke has an extensive background as an educator, having previously worked as an Experiential Learning Coordinator and Outdoor Educator at Northfield Middle High School. Prior to working in public schools, Foley also worked as a wilderness instructor, international travel guide, and program director for several schools and programs in Vermont, the western United States, and around the world. He was the 2014 Vermont Teacher of the Year and a 2017 National Park Service Climate Resiliency Fellow. Most recently, Luke received a 2019 Rowland Fellowship to pursue a project that looked to expand experiential learning opportunities in Vermont schools. In addition to his role with Friends of the Mad River, Luke is an adjunct professor for Mt. Holyoke College and Castleton University, as well as founder and owner of Frontiers Education, a business which delivers professional development opportunities for teachers focused on wilderness expeditions, place-based education, and community-oriented student projects. Foley lives in Waitsfield with his wife, Rachel, a teacher at Fayston Elementary, and his two children, Nora and Tobin. In his free time, Luke likes to run and bike our local trails, swim and paddle in our rivers and lakes, and use all types of skis to navigate the winter landscape.

Ira Shadis grew up in the arms of the Winooski River; home up in the headwaters, school on the main stem, and summer days swimming in the Mad. His professional life has focused on the cross section of environmental stewardship, education, and communication. These days he focuses on turning the Mad River Watershed into a sponge and building resilience into the landscape.