Welcome Joe Hinton

Friends is strengthening our capacity for building partnerships across the watershed with the hiring of Joe Hinton as director of environment, equity, and engagement.

Joe considers himself a geographer and educator who works at the intersection of environmental protection, education, and civic engagement. Throughout his career he has researched and utilized strategies to help a diverse array of audiences develop a commitment to the environment and discover their role in sustainability, conversation, and justice settings.

“Environmental action, conservation, equity, and engagement are all intertwined,” said Joe. “I want my efforts to help more people and organizations see their role in improving and protecting the Chicago and Calumet River watershed, and to help new and diverse people recognize and claim their roles in environmental action.” 

Most recently, Joe served as a researcher and learning resource specialist with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. In this role, he served on a team that developed innovative learning opportunities that allowed audiences to deepen their understanding of health, health equity, and utilizing data to move to action. Prior to work at the University of Wisconsin, Joe served as an assistant professor of geography at Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago.

Joe earned his undergraduate degree in history at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), and he is a proud member of the SIUE Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. Joe earned his master’s degree in geography at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and he is presently pursuing his doctoral degree in education policy, organization, and leadership at UIUC.