ENGAGING RURAL COMMUNITIES ON WATERSHED ISSUES Devin Gill Director Friends of the Shiawassee River

In order to effect change in the Saginaw Bay AOC… …we need to make small impacts in many places.

What we’re starting with…. Est. in 1996 for an Annual River Clean-Up Who is FOSR? - ROAD BLOCK! - How do we sustain momentum and diversify funding sources in a cash-strapped community? Strong, working Board with professional skill set Funding for first Director; achieved 501 (c)3 status in 2008

Our Questions…. 1. How can a small non-profit be sustainable in a rural, resource-limited region of the state? 2.How can a small non-profit utilize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) as a vehicle for building organizational capacity?

Our Proposed Answers. Q. How can a small non-profit be sustainable in a rural, resource-limited region of the state? A.Develop FOSR into a Watershed Organization i.Access new resources through a greater geographic and programmatic scope

Shiawassee River Watershed Owosso, MI o Owosso - $32,500 Median income per household (2010 Census): Population: approx. 15,000 o Largest urban area o Linden - $50, 900 o Howell - $44,000 o Chesaning - $35,000

Our Proposed Answers. 2. Q. How can a small non-profit utilize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) as a vehicle for building organizational capacity? A.Appeal to Funders While Building FOSR i.Project aligns with GLRI focus areas ii.Plays to strengths of FOSR iii.Building partnerships and credibility within Watershed

Partnering with MSU’s PZC Utilize MSU’s Planning & Zoning Center’s (PZC) Rural Water Quality Protection Guidebook

Our GLRI Project Engage rural & urban populations on water quality issues in the Flint & Shiawassee Watersheds Shiawassee: Educate local government officials on techniques to prevent future water pollution through local planning & zoning techniques while building watershed partnerships

First steps…connect with stakeholders 1. Compile list of targeted Watershed stakeholders Who are they? How do we contact them?? Prioritize more “urbanized” areas along River Product – List of approx. 800 contacts

First Steps…Assess interest in Watershed 1. Shiawassee River Watershed Survey The Survey: Survey Monkey Solicited 500 respondents via mailing Goal: Identify key concerns & opportunities for improving the Shiawassee River as a natural amenity Use results to inform later large & small project work

The Feedback…Survey Results Response o 500+ solicited, 73 respondents o 14.6% Response rate 40.4% did NOT include recommendations for the Shiawassee Watershed in their Master Plan and/or local zoning ordinances. Big Take-Aways: o Desire for more education of citizens/stakeholders on WQ issues/solutions o Request FOSR provide more WQ data

First Steps…Get everybody together! 1. Shiawassee River Watershed Summit o Begin to establish watershed identity o Get communities talking to each other o Promote FOSR as a watershed organizer o Introduce ideas regarding planning & zoning tools for WQ

The Follow-Up: WQ Workshops Water Quality Workshops o Upper, Middle, Lower Sub-Watershed Regions o Detailed Planning & Zoning techniques feasible for small, rural localities (ex. Stream bank buffer zones, coordinated permitting, environmental inventory, etc.) o Guidebook

The Follow-Up: Large & Small Project Selection What do elected officials want from FOSR? o WQ Data o Public Education What does FOSR do well? o Owosso Stream Team Program Project Selection? o Watershed-wide Stream Team Program!

Benefits of Stream Team Collect WQ data Inform & Support Work of Local Govs. Engages many partners in a single activity o Volunteers, Schools, Conservation Groups, Local Governments, Kids, Adults FUN! Teaches Stewardship in an enticing way Builds a culture of community support for WQ issues

Project Outline Small Project - Pilot Community Large project - Proposal for Watershed-Wide Program Steps 1.Consult with MICorps experts 2.Select target communities 3.Identify core group of leaders 4.Prepare for introductory workshop 5.Submit proposal for funding in fall

Thank You! Contact information: Devin Gill