The Friends of the Lower Muskingum River

(FLMR) is a partnership of organizations and individuals whose mission is to restore, protect and maintain the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the Muskingum River and to protect and promote its natural, cultural, historic and socioeconomic resources.

In early 2001, the group and its partners expanded their focus to the three-county Lower Muskingum River to more adequately deal with the entire watersheds needs. The FLMR has been a 501(c) issue advocacy group since early 2003. In conjunction with its partner agencies, the FLMR is steadily increasing public participation, collecting and analyzing existing water quality and biological data, identifying issues and goals and successfully seeking funding to restore the watershed to its highest ecological potential.

The FLMR currently meets monthly to discuss the health of the watershed. Guest presenters in recent months have led discussions dealing with the wildlife in the basin, volunteer monitoring, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Districts future assessment and habitat conservation efforts for rare, threatened and endangered species. A comprehensive management plan scheduled for completion in November 2004 will aid the group in prioritizing work over the next decade to protect and restore the watershed.