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Prairie Rivers Network Building Capacity In Illinois Watersheds

Prairie Rivers Network Building Capacity In Illinois Watersheds. Photo: Jason Lindsey www.perceptivevisions.com. OUR MISSION: “To protect the rivers and streams of Illinois and to promote the lasting health and beauty of watershed communities.”. IDNR.

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Prairie Rivers Network Building Capacity In Illinois Watersheds

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  1. Prairie Rivers Network Building Capacity In Illinois Watersheds Photo: Jason Lindsey www.perceptivevisions.com

  2. OUR MISSION: “To protect the rivers and streams of Illinois and to promote the lasting health and beauty of watershed communities.” IDNR

  3. protecting Illinois’ riversfor people, fish, and wildlife IL DNR Jason Lindsey GLNPO

  4. CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS Capacity Building Workshops are funded through an Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA CWA 319 grant

  5. PARTNERS GLNPO

  6. Phase I: 2008 Watershed Assessment Surveyconducted by KimErndt, HabitatResource Specialist STRATEGY FOR BUILDING CAPACITY IN ILLINOIS WATERSHEDS Phase II: Workshop Series 5 workshops held over 2 years (2009-2010) organized by Alison Meanor Water Resources Advocate

  7. PHASE I: WATERSHEDASSESSMENT SURVEY With Special Thanks To: Karyn McDermaid –Visiting Research Specialist U of I Dave White –U of I Amy Walkenbach –IEPA Cecily Smith –PRN Dave Kamps –Hach Environmental Charlie MacPherson –Tetra Tech Inc. Tom Davenport –USEPA Dennis Ross -ILMA By Kim Erndt Prairie Rivers Network

  8. To identify the skill sets needed in Illinois watershed groups for effective watershed management.To determine where watershed management efforts are hindered.To find out which stakeholders need assistance and in what areas. To understand how we can improve the creation and implementation of effective watershed plans. WHY WE CREATED THE SURVEY Jason Lindsey

  9. WHO DID WE ASK? • City Managers • Environmental Engineers • Watershed groups • Environmental NGOs • State employees • Anyone we knew who is involved in watershed planning, restoration, or water resource issues. • This list ended up to consist of approximately 1100 individuals.

  10. WHO ANSWERED? 85 responses: NGO –40% Local Municipal Group –34% State Agency/Organization –15% Academic Organization –10% Private Company –1% 100 responses: Paid Employee –68% Volunteer –22% Other 10%

  11. PRELIMINARY SURVEY RESULTS What are the water quality problems in your area? • Erosion = 100% • Excessive Nutrients= 91% • Degraded Aquatic Habitat= 86% • Non-Native Plants or Animals = 84% • Pesticides = 64% • Bacterial Contamination = 63% • Heavy Metals = 35%

  12. SURVEY COMMENTS • Many of you are doing more than one job. • The problems and issues are too complex to be dealt with on a part-time basis. • You need a full-time person managing projects, fundraising, and overseeing/assisting with outreach. • It’s difficult to get stakeholder participation and public input.

  13. PHASE II: SURVEY SAYS…. You want workshops to teach you how to: • be effective at outreach • form more partnerships • get access to sound science • form strong relationships • communicate better with different groups Other issues: • Need for affordability (so...$15.00 registration fee) • Different training needs evident in upstate (Chicago-area) watershed groups vs. downstate.

  14. GRANT OPPORTUNITIES& FUNDING OPTIONS February 2009, Peoria (at ILMA’s Annual Conference) Participants learned about dozens of funding programs from > 10 agencies. Presenters • IEPA • NRCS • IDNR • Lake Sara Forever Foundation • Wonder Lake Homeowner’s Association

  15. USING ON-LINE DATA & TOOLSFOR YOUR WATERSHED June 2009, Chicago August 2009, Champaign U.S. EPA taught locally-led watershed groups how to use internet tools such as Enviromapper, Surf Your Watershed, Google Maps, and Data to Maps.

  16. BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS Under a contract with U.S. EPA, Tetra Tech, Inc. presented the manual “Getting In Step: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns.” November 2009 Lisle & Peoria Participants learned ways to reach their target audience, effectively communicate, work together, and increase participation in their watershed management efforts.

  17. HOW TO WRITE A FUNDABLE 319 GRANT March 2010, Lisle downstate workshop in planning stages Learn helpful hints on grant writing from a watershed planning perspective ...and hear insights on obtaining funds to implement watershed restoration projects from: • U.S. EPA • Illinois EPA • The Morton Arboretum • Lake County Forest Preserve District • Wonder Lake Master Property Owners Association • Lake County Stormwater Management Commission

  18. THIRD-PARTY TMDLs to be held upstate and downstate Participants will learn: • what a third-party TMDL is; • how it can benefit their watershed; • the basics of watershed planning that go hand-in-hand with TMDLs; • data gathering and TMDL creation; • picking the best consultant for writing their TMDL; • bringing the appropriate stakeholders to the table.

  19. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Attend a workshop! • Get on our listserv, receive our workshop announcements, and help spread the word - ameanor@prairierivers.org • Go to www.prairierivers.org to read workshop presentations, articles, and related material • Complete PRN’s Watershed Assessment Survey www.prairierivers.org/survey

  20. Thank You!contact: Alison Meanorameanor@prairierivers.org

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