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A new profile of community-based watershed groups by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania says they play a critical role in improving water quality, building strong environmental coalitions and get results through education, collaboration and positive action, not confrontation or litigation.

Based on interviews and a survey send to more than 580 watershed organizations in 2002, the study built a profile of watershed groups at that time.

Forty-four percent of the groups were formed since 1995 based on concerns about water quality (80 percent), environmental education (47 percent), aquatic habitat (43 percent), recreation (39 percent) and land use issues (36 percent), in that order.

The original Growing Greener Watershed Program was cited as very important to the formation and success of the groups.

The members of the typical watershed group felt that solutions to threats to water quality lie at the level of the individual and education aimed at changing the attitudes of people and their actions.

“Instead of being pegged as environmental activists, many watershed groups see themselves as “active environmentalists,” getting things done in the community and improving their local environmental quality,” the study said.

Groups believe strongly in collaboration and cooperation to get environmental action, not protesting or litigation and use their relationships and networks to facilitate action.

By working with local citizens and local governments, they demonstrate that the community has the capacity and the power to enact changes. They create energy and momentum around environmental issues and community activism in general.

The typical watershed group is run by volunteers with a core group of 10 to 12 people who help manage the organization and they have about 50 members.

A majority of groups have an average of six other major partners including conservation districts, DEP, the Fish and Boat Commission, PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers and the Canaan Valley Institute.

The study concluded that watershed groups: empower local residents, develop local leaders, provide examples of successful community organizations, compliment other state and local environmental programs, get results, play an essential role in promoting the environment, and act as environmental advocates.

The authors of the study were Dr. Francis Higdon, Dr. Kathryn Braiser, Dr. Richard Stedman, Brian Lee and Sally Sherman from the Penn State Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.

A full copy of the report is available online. Visit the Center for Rural Pennsylvania for more information.

Session Schedule

The Senate and House return to session December 12, 13, and 14, the last scheduled voting days this year (at least at this writing).

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda

· Bills Moving in Senate/House

· Energy Producers Tell House Committee About Natural Gas, Electric Prices

· Environmental Issues Forum Puts Focus on Recycling Market Development

Other News

· EPCAMR Testifies Before U.S. House on Watershed-Based Mine Reclamation Needs

· Conservation Districts Receive Water, Watershed Education Grants

· Next Rachel Carson Forum Focuses on Water Credit Trading

· EPA Sponsors Free Audio Webcast on Water Credit Trading December 14

· Paxton Creek Conservation Plan Released in Dauphin County

· Plan to Clean Up Mine Drainage in Chartiers Creek To Be Presented

· New Guidebook Details Control of Urban Runoff

· Commission Taking Survey of Fishing Skills Education Programs

· PA Energy News Website Provides Updates on Energy Issues in PA

· Solar Energy Leader Honored by Society of Women Environmental Professionals

· What’s Your Carbon Footprint? Calculate Your Energy Use Impacts

· Scholarships for Women in Environmental Fields - Undergraduate and Graduate

· December Center for Environmental Education Newsletter Now Available

· Environmental Question of the Week a Hit with Teachers, Students

· New Web Gateway to PA Natural Diversity Inventory for Public, Professionals

· EPA Accepting Air Innovations Grant Applications Through January 6

· Making Water Supply Systems More Secure Topic of January 11 Seminar

· HELP WANTED – Fish & Boat Commission Seeks Fisheries Biologists

· HELP WANTED – PA Conservation Districts Association Educator

Feature –

· DRBC Honors Pioneering Ecologist Dr. Ruth Patrick

Opinion

· Pennsylvania Leads Again – Building a Sustainable Industry from Sustainable Energy, By Brent Alderfer, President and CEO Community Energy Inc.

Winter Safety Tips

· PEMA Urges Winter Weather Preparedness at Home, Traveling

Regulations

· December EQB Agenda Includes Storage Tank, New Source Review Regs.

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

12/9/2005