a model for engaging non-traditional audiences in watershed issues: the watershed stewards academy...

A Model for Engaging Non-Traditional Audiences in

Watershed Issues

Watershed Stewards Academy for Faith Communities

The Need – Restore the Chesapeake Bay

How? By Whom?

• Legislation• Regulation• Enforcement• Technology• Education and

Awareness

• Federal, State, and Local Governments

• Agencies• Non-profits• General Public

Watershed Stewards Academy is an initiative of Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center and the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works to empower communities to restore local waterways.

The Watershed Stewards Academy trains and supports community leaders to serve as Master Watershed Stewards in the protection, restoration and conservation of our watersheds, working to reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff in Anne Arundel County. If you live in Anne Arundel County, you can make a difference in the health of our waterways.

WSA recognizes that although the government has the responsibility to provide leadership, enforcement and resources toward ensuring clean water, without the collective contributions of all watershed residents, no real progress may be made toward this goal.Pg. 96

The National Capital Region Watershed Stewards Academy is an initiative of a coalition of watershed protection groups in the Potomac, Rock Creek, Anacostia and East Patuxent watersheds -- roughly covering Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Master Stewards will implement projects that decrease pollution, prevent stormwater runoff, and improve water quality in their community's rivers and streams, thus positively impacting the waterways of the National Capital Region and the Chesapeake Bay.

National Capital Region Watersheds

Anacostia Watershed Potomac Watershed

America’s Most Endangered Rivers 2012

Restore stream health by a thousand repairs Train individuals to become community leaders who can help raise awareness of watershed issues, including problems and solutions:

Assessing watersheds at a neighborhood level with particular attention to stormwater runoff and pollution sources.

Creating solutions for stormwater and pollution reduction into local waterways by installing rain gardens, and other ways to reduce the amount of pollution entering into water bodies.

Educating and Engaging communities through talks at community meetings, fairs, churches, and other neighborhood organizations.

Training program includes• 15 class evening and weekend training program• Education about watershed issues including stormwater runoff, neighborhood

assessments, GIS basics, pollution threats to watershed, and restoration projects• Presentations from local experts via classroom lectures and field trips• Capstone restoration project, planned and implemented by teams of students• Membership in a network of Master Watershed Stewards and consortium member• Consortium

Classroom Instruction & Capstone Projects

Photos by Maria Sgambati

Benefits of WSA

• Army of Stewards, and you’re the General• Facilitates connections between public,

business and government• Generates a groundswell of awareness and

action benefitting watersheds• Helps municipalities with the WIP and MS4

How To Reach Outside Current Audience

…

Engaging People of Faith in Watershed Issues

For Pious Reasons …

and Practical Ones …

Tailor WSA curriculum to specific audience• Connections to Faith TraditionsDo unto those downstream as you would have those upstream do unto you. – Wendell Berry

• GIS – Sense of PlaceIf you don’t know where you are, you can’t know who you are. – Wendell Berry

• Water: Sacred and Profaned• When Heaven Meets Earth: Community Engagement

and Empowerment

Class Capstone Project

When Heaven Meets EarthFishable, Swimmable, Baptizable

Resources for Pollution Source Reduction

Incorporate Creation Care in…

• Worship• Bible Study and Ministry• Buildings and Maintenance• Advocacy

NCR WSA Supporters

Many thanks to Wendy Bell, Suzanne Etgen, Jim Foster, Kit Gage, Jenny Reed, Amanda Rockler, Maria Sgambati

The Goal

Thank You!

Lee CainDirector of Adult ProgramsAnacostia Watershed Societylcain@anacostiaws.org

Dottie YungerExecutive DirectorChesapeake Covenant Communitydottie@chesapeakecovenant.org

Program SpecialistAnacostia Watershed Societydyunger@anacostiaws.org