The NC Watershed Stewardship Network and You Christy Perrin
Co-coordinator, NC Watershed Stewardship Network Sustainable Waters
& Communities Coordinator, WRRI Cy Stober, Steering Committee,
NC WSN & Senior Regional Planner, Piedmont Triad Regional
Council
Slide 2
Our mission is to empower more effective watershed stewardship
because water is critical to economic, environmental, and community
health.
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
The watershed approach to managing water resources Is
hydrologically defined geographically focused includes all
stressors (air and water) Involves all stakeholders includes public
(federal, state, local) and private sector is community based
includes a coordinating framework Strategically addresses priority
water resource goals (e.g. water quality, habitat) integrates
multiple programs (regulatory and voluntary) based on sound science
aided by strategic watershed plans uses adaptive management
Courtesy of US EPA
Slide 8
NCs officially impaired waters (on EPA Clean Water Act section
303(d) list)
Slide 9
Our water and economic health One-fifth of the US economy would
grind to a halt without a reliable and clean source of water. 46%
of water consumed in America is used to produce the manufacturing
products we buy. 1 to 3.68the water jobs multiplier. Every job we
create in the water sector helps add another 3.68 jobs in the
national economy. 1 to 6every $1 spent on infrastructure
improvements in the US generates $6 in returns. www.value of
water.org
Importance of statewide networking tools Data from Survey 2:
volunteers
Slide 16
NC Watershed Volunteers 2013 survey: What motivated you to take
action on watershed issues? I felt a connection to the land and
waterways (70%)
Slide 17
Some helpful conclusions from our research Many opportunities
exist for partnering and cross training among watershed
professionals Watershed volunteers are likely to get engaged
because they feel connected to their water resources Respondents
would likely participate in one day workshops Statewide networking
is welcomed by most Online interactive networking tools are
welcomed Volunteers need help reaching out to some audiences
Slide 18
Slide 19
Steering Committee Kevin Boyer, City of Raleigh Shari Bryant,
NC Wildlife Resources Commission Caitlin Burke, Conservation Trust
for North Carolina Paul Clark, Use Restoration Watershed Program,
NCDWR Bill Crowell, Abermarle Pamlico National Estuary Partnership
Nancy Daly, NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program Michele Drostin, UNC
Institute for the Environment Joy Fields, Piedmont Triad Regional
Council Greg Godard, Upper Coastal Plain COG Wendi Hartup, NC
Cooperative Extension Joey Hester, NCDA&CS Division of Soil
& Water Conservation Michele Drostin UNC Institute for the
Environment [email protected] 919-966-9802
[email protected] Christy Perrin Water Resources Research
Institute [email protected] 919- 513-1152
[email protected] Betty Huskins, NC Regional Councils George
Matthis, River Guardian Foundation Holly Miller, Town of Wake
Forest Christy Perrin, Water Resources Research Institute Gloria
Putnam, NC Sea Grant Eric Romaniszyn, Haywood Waterways Association
Rebecca Sadosky, NC Drinking Water Protection Program, NCDWR Mike
Schlegel, Triangle J Council of Governments Cy Stober, Piedmont
Triad Regional Council Ron Townley, Upper Coastal Plain COG Jason
Wager, Centralina COG Nicole Wilkinson, Water Resources Research
Institute Melanie Williams, Basin Planning Branch, NCDWR Mitch
Woodward, NC Cooperative Extension
Slide 20
More people leading and working on watershed projects. People
begin and sustain local watershed efforts in all areas across NC,
including areas without watershed management due to lack of
resources. Local watershed efforts are sustained by diverse and
balanced sources of funds and resources. Stewards collaborate
broadly for greater success protecting waters. People make
decisions that protect water resources while improving community
health and economic development. Our Goals
Slide 21
Provide online tools to connect people & share resources
Foster partnerships: public, private and nonprofit watershed
stakeholders Maximize skills of watershed professionals and
volunteers through training and networking How do we work? Assist
stakeholders to leverage limited resources to more efficiently
improve watershed health Communicate on the ground watershed
efforts and program successes
Slide 22
Provide online tools to connect people and share resources
Slide 23
Online webtool: summer 2015 for beta
Slide 24
Success studies: Sparking connections between people and water
resources
Slide 25
Watershed planning workshops How to with focus on
collaborative, science- based process 4 regional workshops Hosting
organizations sought First one in Sept. 2015 Southeast Raleigh
Slide 26
How can the NCWSN help you support your communities?