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.