Watershed stewards Acamdemy Event Featuring Howard County's Sustainability Chief, Jim Caldwell

Watershed Stewards AcademyDecember 2, 2015

Where did it come from

And

What does it mean

Scottish American Naturalist

Environmental philosopher

Key figure in resource protection movement in the 1850’s

Early advocate of wilderness preservation

Conservation became a major focus

Created the US Forest Service

Established 150 National Forests,

51 Federal bird reserves, 5 National Parks

During presidency protected 230 million acres of public land

1920 TO 1960

PRISTINE PARKS POLLUTED CITIES

FIRST EARTH DAY 1970 NIXON ESTABLISHES EPA

Command and Control

Enforcement

Law Suits

Us and Them

New Curricula in Environmental Sciences

Environmental Engineering Programs

Efficient Building designs

Campuses become models for green development

Manufacturing plants install greater levels of pollution control

New ‘cradle to grave’ philosophy in the manufacture of new products

Complete redesign of manufacturing facilities

Energy efficiency with new technologies becomes cost effective

State and Local Environmental Agencies grow

Governments adopt new technologies to demonstrate viability throughout the community

Outreach and education programs make use of social media to explain challenges

Partnerships with businesses and nonprofits grow as the larger community works to find solutions

Recycling becomes the poster child

Progress becomes evident

No longer us and them

Everyone works toward the solution

We enter the recognition that behavior change is key to further progress

Environmental issues are incorporated into all decision making

This new broader approach - we call

SUSTAINABILITY

Stay Abreast of Emerging Issues

Provide Education and Outreach

Coordinate County Agencies

Develop Community Partnerships

Develop Solutions to Concerns

45 youth hired each summer

1 year round crew

Over 10 impervious acres managed for runoff – rain garden construction

Over 600 trees planted

Stream channel maintenance in Old Ellicott City

Maintenance of existing facilities

Partnership with OCS, DRP, DPW and HCPSS

State Grants of $820,000

Expanded Stream Releaf and Tree Canopy programs

Both on school planting and field trips for private plantings

17,260 trees planted on 104 acres

2,440 Students involved in planting

3,556 student volunteer hours logged

Raise awareness about a forgotten utility

Introduce innovative outreach and education• Stream mAPPer

• Clean Water Howard website

• CleanScapes

Non-profit partnership program

Advocate for innovative runoff solutions

Financial incentives to homeowners• 125 raingardens constructed

• 1.5 impervious acres managed

Sold 3,350 meal kits, up 950 from last year’s sales (45% subsidized).

Kits were made each week by a staff of 3 and 16 volunteers.

Purchased $42,740.18 worth of local produce and proteins this year of which $18,968.26 was from Howard County Farms. That is up from $2,400 of local produce purchased last year.

Bought from 10 local farms - 5 from Howard County.

Howard County General Hospital and Howard County School System became new sponsors while we retained our sponsors from last year. (Horizon Foundation & United Way)

Promoted Roving Radish and local farms at the HoCo Fair. Gave 800 vegetable snack packs with local ready to eat produce.

Met or exceeded most 2007 goals for greenhouse gas reductions

Energy savings from building retrofits

Installation of electric vehicle charging stations

Sponsored Home energy audits and efficiency models for residents

Solar energy system installed at water reclamation plant to offset diesel generator emission

PACE – property assessed clean energy loans