TOP TEN WATERSHED LESSONS LEARNED

TOP TEN WATERSHED LESSONS LEARNED1. The Best Plans Have Clear Vision, Goals and

Action Items2. Good Leader are Committed and Empower Others3. Having a Coordinator at a Watershed Level is

Desirable4. Environmental, Economic and Social Values are

Compatible5. Plans Only Succeed if Implemented6. Partnership Equals Power7. Good Tools are Available8. Measure, Communicate and Account for Progress9. Education and Involvement Drive Action10. Build on Small Successes

1. The Best Plans Have Clear Vision, Goals, and Action Items• “I want to be able to see my feet” – Bernie Fowler• Vision• Goals• Objectives• Action Items

Example

CHEASAPEAK BAY WATERSHED

2. Good Leaders are Committed and Empower Others• “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn

more, and become more, you are a leader” – John Quincy Adams

• “How you get there is flexible”• Leaders are individuals or groups who care about the

watershed and its future.

3. Having a Coordinator at the Watershed Level is Desirable• A good coordinator is key to a successful watershed

protection effort.• The one who can commit to spending enough time

to really make a difference.

Example

TENSAS RIVER RIVER WATERSHED• “Benefits from having a

Homegrown Coordinator”• “Duck Hunter Loves It”

4. Environmental, Economic and Social Values are Compatible• “Sustainability”• “Nature and people can co exist within the

watershed”

Example

La Mesa Ecopark• To sustain watershed

management systems• To maintain watershed

values for optimal water production.

5. Plans only Succeed if Implemented

• Recommendation called for within a plan are implemented

• Break things down in a manageable scale

Example

La Mesa Ecopark• To sustain watershed

management systems• To maintain watershed

values for optimal water production.

Example

MCKENZIE WATERSHED COUNCIL, OREGON

• McKenzie Watershed Council

• private citizens• public interest groups• representatives of state

government• Army Corps of Engineers• U.S. Forest Service

6. Partnership Equals Power

• Watershed work is about partnerships.• Partners can include any one who has an interest in

the watershed.• Watershed partnerships come in

all shapes and sizes, with each partner having a different interest.

• "We'd rather shake hands than raise our fists, and that strategy has really paid off.

ExampleKNOW YOUR WATERSHED

• McKenzie Watershed Council

• private citizens• public interest groups• representatives of state

government• Army Corps of Engineers• U.S. Forest Service

7. Good Tools Are Available

• Geographic Information System• “How-to Guides”• Monitoring and Modeling Programs• Funding Sources

ExamplePROJECT NEMO

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)• Remote Sensing (RS)• Dedication

8. Measure, Communicate and Account for Progress• Measurements of progress should be associated

with achieving goals set for the watershed effort• Progress can be measured in many ways and

communicated through meetings, brochures,internet sites, annual reports, news releases, and other ways.

ExampleBicol River Basin and Watershed Management Program

• Upland Reforestation(Agoho Seedling)• Assisted Natural Regeneration• Plantation Maintenance and Taxation

9. Education and Involvement Drive Action• “Earth Day 1970”• Resulting actions demonstrated that public support is

the engine that drives protection of the environment• Creating awareness in the general public.• Educating a community for the purpose of stimulating

voluntary action means targeting groups from all walks of life; farmer, businessmen, government officials, homeowners alike.

10. Build on Small Successes• Small success fuels future, larger ones• Commitment to the watershed is the key.• Celebrate success

ExampleLower Paint Creek Association West Virginia

• It’s amazing what a small numbers can accomplish

• 240 tons of solid waste were collected 54 tons were recyclable

• No one can do the job alone• “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a

single step” – Lao Tzu