Fitz Center for Leadership in Community
Partnerships, past and present
Over nearly 20 years, the Rivers Institute has fostered collaborations between the university and surrounding community, often led by our River Stewards. Our newsletter chronicles recent efforts, featuring stories about foraging, river cleanups, current stewards and alumni from the program. Campus and local media often run stories about bigger projects, with the newsfeed below shedding light on recent capstone projects led by our seniors. For a deeper dive into past partnerships, check out our former blog.
Our biggest projects each year are accomplished by our senior stewards through their cohort’s capstone. Each capstone reflects the shared interests and passions of that cohort, taking up themes like environmental education, access to greenspace and sustainable agriculture, all dedicated to empowering communities to be stewards of our rivers.
Boonshoft exhibit and storybook trail
Along with creating a trail of signs featuring "Into the River" along the Great Miami, the 2024 cohort adapted the RiverMobile as a permanent installation at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.
Boonshoft exhibit and storybook trail
Along with creating a trail of signs featuring "Into the River" along the Great Miami, the 2024 cohort adapted the RiverMobile as a permanent installation at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.
Dakota Center gardening curriculum
In partnership with the Dakota Center, the 2023 cohort created a curriculum for outdoor and environmental education to pair with the center's permaculture garden.
Dakota Center gardening curriculum
In partnership with the Dakota Center, the 2023 cohort created a curriculum for outdoor and environmental education to pair with the center's permaculture garden.
Cleveland Park infrastructure
Returning to past projects, the 2022 cohort collaborated with Linden Heights and Walnut Hills to install drinking fountains and little free libraries in our downtown neighborhood parks.
Cleveland Park infrastructure
Returning to past projects, the 2022 cohort collaborated with Linden Heights and Walnut Hills to install drinking fountains and little free libraries in our downtown neighborhood parks.
Stormwater art for awareness
To promote a fuller understanding of our watershed, the 2021 cohort created a trail of painted storm drains connecting UD's campus to the river just a few blocks away.
Stormwater art for awareness
To promote a fuller understanding of our watershed, the 2021 cohort created a trail of painted storm drains connecting UD's campus to the river just a few blocks away.
'Into the River' Children’s Novel
To promote education on the watershed, the 2020 cohort utilized their creative art skills to construct a novel to help children understand the importance of protecting our watershed and environment.
'Into the River' Children’s Novel
To promote education on the watershed, the 2020 cohort utilized their creative art skills to construct a novel to help children understand the importance of protecting our watershed and environment.
Madden Hills Park
To build community in the Greater Dayton Area, the 2019 Cohort created a park in Madden Hills. The park emphasizes storm water management through trees and vegetation.
Madden Hills Park
To build community in the Greater Dayton Area, the 2019 Cohort created a park in Madden Hills. The park emphasizes storm water management through trees and vegetation.
Cleveland park nature play and mural
Working with the Linden Heights neighborhood association, the 2018 cohort installed a natureplay, mural and butterfly garden dedicated to Brother Don Geiger.
Cleveland park nature play and mural
Working with the Linden Heights neighborhood association, the 2018 cohort installed a natureplay, mural and butterfly garden dedicated to Brother Don Geiger.
Growing at Lincoln Hill
In partnership with Mission of Mary Cooperative, the 2017 cohort supported sustainable agriculture through raised beds, hoop houses, and community-focused events and education outreach.
Growing at Lincoln Hill
In partnership with Mission of Mary Cooperative, the 2017 cohort supported sustainable agriculture through raised beds, hoop houses, and community-focused events and education outreach.
Environmental education at Edison
Working with Edison Elementary, the 2016 cohort assisted teachers in developing sustainability-focused experiential learning, building toward an all-day environmental education fair.
Environmental education at Edison
Working with Edison Elementary, the 2016 cohort assisted teachers in developing sustainability-focused experiential learning, building toward an all-day environmental education fair.
'Going nuts' for urban reforestation
In partnership with Adventure Central, the 2015 cohort provided tutoring and hands-on activities while collecting and propagating nuts to grow and plant more that 6,000 saplings there and throughout metropark locations.
'Going nuts' for urban reforestation
In partnership with Adventure Central, the 2015 cohort provided tutoring and hands-on activities while collecting and propagating nuts to grow and plant more that 6,000 saplings there and throughout metropark locations.
Outdoor engagement portal
Collaborating with UD's RecPlex and Outdoor Engagement Center, the 2014 cohort developed our Outdoor Engagement Portal to encourage students to find exciting ways to get off campus.
Outdoor engagement portal
Collaborating with UD's RecPlex and Outdoor Engagement Center, the 2014 cohort developed our Outdoor Engagement Portal to encourage students to find exciting ways to get off campus.
First-year sustainability orientation
Together with the City of Dayton Department of Water, the 2013 cohort distributed over 2,000 reusable water bottles as part of an awareness campaign about our amazing water resources and drinking water.
First-year sustainability orientation
Together with the City of Dayton Department of Water, the 2013 cohort distributed over 2,000 reusable water bottles as part of an awareness campaign about our amazing water resources and drinking water.
RecBikes program
Seeking to benefit students looking to get involved in our community, the 2012 cohort popularized the RecPlex's bike program, ensuring access to and awareness about sustainable transportation.
RecBikes program
Seeking to benefit students looking to get involved in our community, the 2012 cohort popularized the RecPlex's bike program, ensuring access to and awareness about sustainable transportation.
Exploring our regional assets
Inspired by the incredible stewardship happening in our region, the 2011 cohort hosted a series of events through their Dayton Explorers program to celebrate Dayton's impressive outdoor and environmental assets.
Exploring our regional assets
Inspired by the incredible stewardship happening in our region, the 2011 cohort hosted a series of events through their Dayton Explorers program to celebrate Dayton's impressive outdoor and environmental assets.
