Concurrent Sessions - C. Stayin’ Alive: How are water and environmental education, outreach, and citizen science groups succeeding in times of lean budgets?
- University of Southern Maine Stormwater Trail – Amanda Martin and Margret Welch
- Lessons in Collaboration – Andrews Tolman
- What Have You Done for Me Lately? Strategizing for Organizational Success – Barbara Arter
University of Southern Maine Stormwater Trail
Amy Webb (student); Jackie Allen (student); Amanda Martin (student); Margret Welch (student); Robert Sanford
University of Southern Maine
Presentation available (pdf format)
Abstract: Rain that falls on the University of Southern Maine’s (USM) Portland campus flows into the city’s combined sewer overflow system, which empties into Casco Bay. Contaminants from Portland’s impervious surfaces and sewer systems are introduced into the Casco Bay Estuary and watershed. The lack of awareness about these issues adversely impacts the community and surrounding areas. Our objective is to create awareness about the importance of integrated storm water management by modeling different ways to reduce the amount of storm water that enters the combined sewer overflow system. We propose to achieve this by constructing a storm water awareness trail on campus. A sign at the beginning of the trail will offer visitors a brief summary of the ways in which storm water impacts the health of the estuary, watershed, and community. Improvements will be made at several sites along the trail and signs will be used to explain various problems and solutions.
When implemented, this project will increase awareness about the issues surrounding storm water runoff. The trail will educate visitors about the impact that storm water has on the community and surrounding areas while showing individuals and businesses alike how they can apply green infrastructure to solve storm water management problems. By modeling storm water management techniques the USM Storm Water Trail will show the community how and why implementing those techniques can improve their lives, their community, and the health of the estuary and watershed.
Lessons in Collaboration
Andrews Tolman, Maine CDC Drinking Water Program
Presentation available (pdf format)
Abstract: In 2003, the DWP completed assessments of risks to public water sources in Maine, with a lot of help from public water systems. We were surprised to find that the biggest risk to safe and secure drinking water was future development near water sources. With hindsight, we shouldn’t have been surprised. Most water systems had carefully chosen the cleanest, least threatened source they could afford to develop. What they hadn’t been able to do, with a few notable exceptions, is control all the land that provided that source with clean water. As Maine’s population dispersed from town centers to the country in the last thirty years, much of that development encroached on water supply areas. Neither water systems nor the Drinking Water Program have the tools or authority to manage land use and development, short of buying land. Once the Assessment results sank in, we increased our efforts to find allies who could help us and water systems ensure safe and secure drinking water for future generations. We looked for entities with common interests in clean water, and in land uses that help generate clean water. Developing alliances like this is a long process, and almost a decade later, we’re still working on it. Since Source Protection is a voluntary, incentive-based program, much of our state-level work is focused on finding partners with resources and common cause with water systems. We’ve used the National Source Water Collaborative as a tool to engage local affiliates.
What Have You Done for Me Lately? Strategizing for Organizational Success
Barbara Arter, Senator George J. Mitchell Center, Diadromous Species Restoration Research Network
Presentation available (pdf format)
Abstract: The success and sustainability of any conservation organization lie not just in its ability to raise funds but also in its ability to stay relevant. The most successful organizations have several qualities in common such as coalition building, mission flexibility, community leadership skills, strong networking and communications, and the ability to provide the community with timely uncomplicated solutions. Although some traditional funding streams are no longer available, others have opened up, but only those organizations which are flexible and creative will be able to take advantage of these opportunities. Barbara Arter has over 20 years of experience in collaborative capacity building in conservation and habitat restoration, and in this presentation she will review lessons learned in information transfer, networking, coalition building, solution design, and creative funding from many of Maine’s successful organizations.