* WATERSHED ORGANIZING *
A Brief Introductory Outline of Theory & References
Watershed Organizing - a unit of political and social organizing
integrating political organizing with educational programs and institutions,
neighborhood and community concerns, and medical and mental health issues and
institutions.
Watershed Organizing can involve any combination of the following principles and issues according to the resources and capabilities of the stakeholders in that particular watershed:
- Riparian Buffer Protection - landscaping principle impacting urban
design and landscaping. Increases water quality and provides framework for
wildlife corridors.
- Wildlife Corridors & Gardening - protects bio-diversity. Involves integrating issues of urban design with wildlife and wilderness preservation.
- Native Plants - usage of native plants in landscaping increases pollution control and water conservation, while still pleasing aesthetic concerns.
- Environmental Education - integrates with every academic subject,
makes academic efforts directly relevant to the area where the child lives,
and hooks into childrens' natural concern for animals and nature, thus motivating
interest in science and community involvement. Also, provides a form of preventative
psychology by motivating child to be healthy in order to help out animals,
nature and community.
- Environmental Building & Landscaping - methods to decrease carbon footprint and control pollution, while still serving aesthetic and practical living concerns.
- Environmental Science & Education Museum - a community center facilitating
watershed organizing, through cooperation with neighborhood associations,
business associations, the full range of educational, medical, mental health
and law enforcement institutions in the watershed, and other stakeholders.
Can include interactive environmental education exhibits, educational and
organizing resources, classroom and meeting spaces, center for community and
educational events and programs, networking with other watershed and allied
programs, etc - as far as the imagination can wander.
REFERENCES