Watershed Top Ten "Hint" List
Everyone lives, works and plays in a watershed. And almost everything we do impacts the
health of the watershed's natural, economic and social resources. How we manage watersheds also
can impact economic health.
That's why the Conservation Technology Information Center in West Lafayette, IN, embraced
the challenge of encouraging the formation of local, voluntary watershed management
partnerships throughout America. Through its work with watershed partnerships, the center
has compiled the following "Top Ten Hint List" for successful watershed management efforts:
| 10. |
Think small. The smaller the watershed, the easier the partners can relate
or connect to it. In addition, the smaller the watershed, the faster it will
react to changes in management practices such as precision farming or land
uses such as green strips. |
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| 9. |
Bring everyone to the table. Successful watershed efforts include everyone
who has a stake in the watershed. This enables the group to build consensus
on what needs to be done and how to do it. Leaving a critical stakeholder out
of the process at any step may cause unnecessary problems later. |
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| 8. |
Great leaders plant seeds and nurture them. They facilitate the group to
reach consensus, plant new or different ideas when necessary and assist the
group in nurturing those new ideas. Effective watershed leaders are great
communicators. They listen and expand on others' ideas, and make sure
every idea is explored and that all stakeholders are heard. |
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| 7. |
Ask for free advice and in-kind services. For example, if you need a
video, ask the local television station for script and production assistance. If
you need monitoring, assistance, work with your local water department and
your local school system. And don't forget that saying thank you in public
will go a long way toward getting additional help the next time. One bonus
tip: No one gives money to a group without a plan for how to use it.
Financial assistance can come from unusual places and innovative sources
once the group has a solid plan. |
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| 6. |
Encourage teaching. Allow watershed stakeholders to teach each other. No
idea is too simple to be discussed. For example, a farmer can reach the basics
of watering, fertilizer application and pest management to homeowners. |
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| 5. |
Seek common interests, not positions. By working to find the common interest of all
stakeholders, you'll establish a strong foundation for an effective watershed management
plan. One way to do this is to get past opposing positions by asking why a
stakeholder has taken a particular position. Keep asking why again and
again. It usually takes seven layers of "whys" to uncover an interest that is
common to other stakeholders. |
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| 4. |
Celebrate your successes. Regardless how small, celebrate progress.
Whether your group measures progress by the number of canoe trips,
miles of buffer strips or acres of no-till farming, reaching milestones are
important. One more bonus tip: Be kind to each other; you may need that
person to agree with you later. |
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| 3. |
Ask not "do you like it?" but ask "can you live with it?" Remember,
you probably will propose many ideas before the group reaches a common
point of agreement. What's important in reaching consensus is that everyone
can agree to live with a decision. |
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| 2. |
Conflict can be healthy-if managed positively. Conflicting views or
ideas often become a third view or idea that can be near healthy for the group's
efforts and the watershed's health. |
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| 1. |
Patience. Patience. Patience. We didn't get to where we are today
overnight, and we won't get to where we're going tomorrow. When you set a
lofty goal, break it down in smaller steps. Before you know it, you'll have
reached your goal. |
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