Exploring the Possibilities in Minnesota

Transcription

1 Exploring the Possibilities in Minnesota COMMUNITY NETWORKS FOR LANDS AND WATERS LISA BRUSH SPENCER KELLUM

2 Where we re going Presentation Discussion Opportunities Questions

3 The Stewardship Network Stewardship the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one s care * Network an interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system * Definitions from Merriam Webster Dictionary Image from:

4 The Biggest Challenges Facing Lands and Waters Affected by human actions Affected by many different groups and individuals Lack of understanding Myriad problems Algal blooms, invasive species, climate change, toxic pollution, fragmentation, habitat destruction, etc.

5 The Biggest Opportunities Facing Lands and Waters Affected by human actions Affected by many different groups and individuals Lack of understanding Myriad problems Algal blooms, invasive species, climate change, toxic pollution, fragmentation, habitat destruction, etc. Human actions can be positive One person doesn t have to do it all Opportunity to create understanding Myriad opportunities Algal blooms, invasive species, climate change, toxic pollution, fragmentation, habitat destruction, etc.

6 Challenges of Collective Impact There s so much potential for overlap We often work without knowing of work on nearby sites Honestly, there are not enough resources people, time, money to care for these with the threats that currently exist Landowners, Volunteers, and professionals need support and training

7 The Stewardship Network was formed to fill these gaps Started in 1998 as Huron River Watershed Volunteer Stewardship Network to build the capacity of organizations, individuals, and businesses to preserve, restore, and manage natural lands and waters. Mission: Connect, equip, and mobilize people and organizations to care for lands and waters in our communities. First Cluster launched in 2003

8 Who are we? National award-winning non-profit organization "THE up-and-coming conservation organization with the right trajectory Volunteers, coordinators, staff, board, partners Passionate stewards

9 What we do Community-based Workshops & Training Monthly Webcasts Garlic Mustard Challenge Annual Conference Signature Leadership Training Peer-to-Peer Training

10 The Stewardship Network Products and Services Products Award winning methodology of processes, tools and training to create impactful Clusters Leadership Training Services Consulting Database Management Website hosting Annual Conference Management Webcasts Operational Support Grant Administration Conservation Planning Member Collaboration Events Conservation Planning Leadership & Operational Training Sustainable Cluster Funding 3/25/

11 How we do it Collaborative Conservation Communities Locally defined geography, leadership, and focus Consist of organizations & individuals

12 Collaborative Conservation Communities Defined geography

13 Collaborative Conservation Communities Defined geography Identified leader(s)

14 Collaborative Conservation Communities Defined geography Identified leader(s) Broad community representation

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16 Steering Committee Invasive Species sub-committee Education sub-committee Volunteer sub-committee Protection sub-committee

17 The Stewardship Network West Michigan Cluster Steering Committee Education EDRR GM Disposal CWMA CISMA Chair: Mike Bruggink Members: Purpose: Provide Educational offerings for members and the public Grant: None Name: Early Detection/Rapid Response Chair: Melanie Manion Purpose: Identify and address new invasive plant species in the cluster counties Grants: None Programs: Strike Teams lead by Kent and Ottawa Conservation Districts Grant: None Name: Garlic Mustard Disposal Chair: Ginny Wanty Purpose: Dispose of GM gathered from various pulls Grant: Funded by CWMA grant Name: Cooperative Weed Management Area Chair: Becky Huttenga Purpose: Coordinate Invasive species removal with US Forest Service Grant: $25K CWMA (Federal Grant from US Forest Service) Fiduciary: TSN Name: Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Chair: Becky Huttenga Purpose: Coordinate Invasive species removal with US Forest Service Grant: $400K CISMA (MI DNR Grant) Fiduciary: Ottawa County Conservation District Grant: $95k Federal SOGL (not associated with a specific subcommittee(?) Fiduciary: TSN

18 West Michigan CISMA (a.k.a. Cluster, CWMA) Steering Committee Education EDRR GM Disposal Fund Development USFS MISGP SOGL Other The Stewardship Network

19 West Michigan CISMA (a.k.a. Cluster, CWMA) Steering Committee Education EDRR GM Disposal Fund Development USFS MSCIG SOGL Other The Stewardship Network

20 Where we are today Great Lakes 9 Clusters 17 in development New England 1 Hub up and running Interested parties in throughout North America

21 Cluster Work Education & Outreach Plan trainings and workshops Hold on-line discussion forums to learn from people who are experienced in natural areas protection Share the expertise of its members to make the entire Stewardship Network stronger Conservation Action Develop conservation plans and implement real on-theground action Hold workdays Pool resources to hire common stewardship crews

22 Invasive Plant Management Headwaters Cluster (Oakland County, MI) & Raisin Cluster (Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, western Washtenaw Counties, MI) Mid-Michigan (Eaton, Clinton, and Ingham Counties)

23 Early Detection Rapid Response West Michigan Cluster (Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa Counties, MI)

24 Prescribed Fire Education Huron Arbor Cluster (Washtenaw County, MI)

25 Habitat Restoration and Private Landowner Involvement Raisin Cluster (Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, and western Washtenaw Counties, MI)

26 Key Strengths Transfer of knowledge Clarity Flexibility Holistic Positive Deep connections, strong relationships

27 Resilience

28 Exploring the Possibilities What will your success story(ies) be?

29 Where do we go from here? Conservation is getting nowhere because it is incompatible with our concept of land. We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. Aldo Leopold

30 Where do you want to go from here? It s up to us to decide.

31 Connecting the parts to strengthen the whole

32 Thank You! Lisa Brush, Spencer Kellum,