Developing Watershed Leaders

Needs Assessment | Program Development | Funding Acquisition | Partner Engagement | Project Management

Water quality and aquatic habitat issues exist because of human choice. In agricultural watersheds most water restoration and protection practices are voluntary, so strong local leadership is needed to popularize them.

Scale is huge, change is hard, other activities tug, and many restorative agricultural practices are expensive. To aid farmers who are working with neighbors to develop local solutions, NewGround developed the Watershed Leaders Network for Fishers & Farmers Partnership For the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The program allows local leaders to step out of the daily grind, discuss challenges and strategies with peers, practice communications skills, and gain new vision. The pilot runs 2016-17.

Newground Clearly Presents Issues | Mississippi Valley Conservancy has permanently protected more than 16,000 acres in Wisconsin. NewGround developed an award-winning magazine, other publications and consulted for strategic outreach.
NewGround Connects People | During Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) development, three Winona, Minn. citizen summits drew 100+ people each. NewGround played a central role in planning, organizing, promoting, hosting, and reporting on the events.
Newground Positions Organizations | Fishers & Farmers Partnership For the Upper Mississippi River Basin reduces erosion and nutrient runoff in the Midwest. NewGround interviewed stakeholders, contributed to a strategic plan, obtained funding, and developed identity and outreach tools.
Newground Mentors Leaders | Client Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership took time to understand opportunities and priorities in their complex region. NewGround facilitated a "meeting of the minds" and taught communications basics.
NewGround Educates | La Crosse Urban Stormwater Group educates to protect the Mississippi River from polluted runoff. NewGround developed its stormwater management learning site at Habitat For Humanity ReStore, engaged media, and involved citizens in construction.
NewGround Develops Strategy | Sara Lubinski's exhibit River Sojourn: A Painter's Portfolio of the Mississippi River Blufflands launched in 2014. NewGround developed outreach strategy, blog, and prospectus; secured bookings with museums; and developed relationships with conservation and funding partners.
NewGround Builds Participation | Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center and Eagle Bluff Skills School serve 22,000 people annually. Strong leadership and professional staff are growing that number with branding and production support from NewGround.

Learn how people like you are connecting for community action.