Welcoming Our First DC Coalition Lead!
The Choose Clean Water Coalition was created in 2009 because no entity existed that could harness the collective power of the nonprofit organizations advocating for clean rivers and streams in the Chesapeake Bay region. Today, the Coalition's membership is more than 300 organizations strong. By coordinating policy, messaging, action, and accountability, the Coalition speaks louder with one voice toward our collective goal—clean water. Together, we create a more inclusive and powerful network of advocates championing effective and equitable water policies.
Our Coalition Leads are vital to the success of the Coalition and play an integral role in connecting our members to clean water initiatives at the state and local levels. For many years, our members expressed the need for improved coordination on clean water policy in DC. We are thrilled to share that for the first time in the Coalition's 15-year history, we are welcoming a Coalition Lead for the District of Columbia. This has been a long-time goal in our strategic plan and we are eager to work with Nature Forward who will coordinate local and federal action for clean water in Washington, D.C!
Jamoni Overby will serve as our DC Lead and will start her work with the Coalition on September 30th. She will lead workgroup meetings and communications with our DC members, addressing missed and new solutions to solve environmental injustices, public health issues, inequitable public access, and poor water quality issues throughout the District.
As Nature Forward's DC Conservation Advocate, Jamoni has led Nature Forward's outreach, engagement, education and advocacy work in the District since 2021. She is well-versed in environmental and water quality policy and political and budgetary issues in the District. She has led Nature Forward's successful advocacy efforts on the Healthy Homes For All and 3RC (bottle bill) campaigns; testifies frequently a Council budget and oversight hearings; leads lobbying days on Capitol Hill; led environmental outreach and engagement programming for District youth; and leads the District's flood preparedness programming in Wards 7 and 8 in partnership with DC government entities and community and faith-based partners. Through this work, Jamoni has developed an extensive and deep network of personal and organizational relationships with environmental, watershed, community, and faith-based organizations both in the District and in neighboring jurisdictions (e.g. Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, MD). She has also developed strong working relationships with key personnel at DC's Department of Energy and Environment, Department of Public Works, the Mayor's Office and City Council staff.
A DC native, Jamoni has a deep understanding of the District's challenges, assets, political climate and culture, as well as a personal commitment to improving environmental and community health for all of the District's residents. She is skilled at project and budget management and at recruiting, training, and managing volunteers.
In the coming weeks, we will create a DC working group, share calendar invites for monthly DC calls, and hold an in-person event in the District. This workgroup will identify priorities to pursue which may include coordination surrounding the District's budget, public access, land use issues and flood mitigation. Sign up now if you'd like to join this workgroup!
