Accelerating Action Introduction by Kim Beidler
- 1. Accelerating Action The Delaware River Watershed Forum PHILADELPHIA, PA OCTOBER 28-29, 2013 Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
- 2. Plenary Overview Coalition 101 Forum Objectives Foundation Perspectives Forum Structure
- 3. Mission Statement TO UNITE ORGANIZATIONS AND ENHANCE THEIR CAPACITY TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR PROTECTING AND RESTORING THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN BY COORDINATING COMMUNICATIONS, MESSAGES, AND ACTIONS AND FOSTERING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SUCCESS AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS
- 4. Providing…. Links to organizations working throughout the watershed Access to coordinated advocacy and efforts Connection to regional, state and national initiatives Opportunity to raise profile of issues to a broader audience
- 5. Photo Credit: Charles Fox
- 7. Membership Watershed Associations Recreation & Outdoor Interests Land Conservancies Education Centers Environmental Organizations Regional Partnerships National Advocacy Groups Non-governmental organizations No membership fees or dues
- 8. Membership is Growing… American Littoral Society* American Rivers* Appalachian Mountain Club Aquetong Watershed Association Basha Kill Area Association Bertsch-Hokendauqua-Catasauqua Watershed Assoc. Brodhead Watershed Association Christina Conservancy, Inc. Delaware Highlands Conservancy* Delaware Nature Society* Delaware River Greenway Partnership Delaware River Shad Fishermen’s Assoc. Ducks Unlimited* Federation of Fly Fishers, N.E. Council Friends of the Upper Delaware* Fry’s Run Watershed Association G.O.A.L. Green Valleys Watershed Assoc. Greentreks Network, Inc. Musconetcong Watershed Association* National Audubon Society National Parks Conservation Association* National Wildlife Federation* Natural Lands Trust New Jersey Audubon Society* NJ Council Trout Unlimited Nurture Nature Center Partnership for the Delaware Estuary PennFuture* PA Council Trout Unlimited Pennsylvania Environmental Council* Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust Pompeston Creek Watershed Assoc. Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter South Jersey Land and Water Trust SE Montgomery County Trout Unlimited Chapter Tinicum Conservancy Tookany/Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership Valley Creek Restoration Partnership Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley Wild Trout Flyrodders Wildlands Conservancy Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association*
- 9. Expertise & Water testing Dam Removal Invasive plants Reforestation Habitat restoration Deer management Migratory fish Grassland creation Educational programs Community engagement Media connections Interests Stormwater Open space Fracking Recreational Access Citizen Science Flooding Forest conservation Connectivity Trails Climate Cold water resources
- 10. Steering Committee American Littoral Society Tim Dillingham American Rivers Laura Craig Delaware Highlands Conservancy Sue Currier Delaware Nature Society Ginger North Ducks Unlimited Bernie Marczyk Friends of the Upper Delaware River Jeff Skelding Musconetcong Watershed Assoc. Beth Styler Barry National Parks Recreation Assoc. Joy Oakes National Wildlife Federation Grant LaRouche New Jersey Audubon Kelly Mooij PennFuture Joy Bergey Pennsylvania Environmental Council Patrick Starr Wissahickon Valley Watershed Assoc. Dennis Miranda
- 11. On the Horizon Year 2 More/Improved Communications Tools Basin-wide Priorities – Legislative – Plan? – Others? Forum Follow-Up
- 12. Accelerating Action The Delaware River Watershed Forum
- 13. Purpose Identify critical issues – obstacles, challenges, opportunities, needs Define priorities to address & next steps Create momentum for collaborative, watershed-wide solutions What’s keeping you from doing your best work?
- 14. Approach Facilitated discussions Different perspectives Multiple opportunities
- 15. Outcomes Lists of issues and priorities Wrap-up Ongoing collaboration/work Re-visit annually?
- 16. “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us” - Winston Churchill
- 17. Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed Kim Beidler, Coordinator 204 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608 kim.beidler@njaudubon.org 609-392-1182