Catawba Riverkeeper, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden & Shared Leadership with Executive Director John Searby

Segment 2, April 13th, 2024 Last year two iconic, regional organizations in the Charlotte-area decided to utilize a Shared Leadership structure to reduce administrative costs & the align the similar pursuits of both organizations.  The CEO & Executive Director of the Catawba Riverkeeper & Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, John Searby, joined Bill Bartee on the Carolina Outdoors to discuss how & why the decision happened. Show Highlights: The organizations were more alike that many thought. Both had scientists, infrastructure to aid, & were working in adjacent spaces. Shared CEO, CFO, HR, & education duties help create more efficiencies with Shared Leadership services. We learn the Catawba Riverkeeper advocates, manage, & educate regarding the 8,900 miles of waters of the Catawba/Wateree basin The Catawba River has been the life water in this area for thousands of years: from indigenous people to modern Carolinas’ drinking water, transportation, food & power generation It flows through 26 counties in North and South Carolina & has been called the “Hardest working river in America.” Catawba Riverkeeper is headquartered in McAdenville, NC Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens is located on the banks of Lake Wylie in Belmont, NC Made up of 380 acre campus features manicured gardens, trails, & an Orchid Conservatory Things You’ll Learn by Listening: Summer Camps are upcoming at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens & Kayak Rentals & Monthly Eco-Tours are happening with Catawba Riverkeeper Collaboration of organizations that have some similarity is a goal in order to reach each organizations goals. The Carolina Outdoors is powered by the Charlotte fly shop, Jesse Brown’s.