Thanks to all who participated in our Water Star working groups last week. We had two great sessions and generated a lot of good ideas for designing the Water Star program. We're grateful to all who shared their expertise on groundwater and habitat issues.
This week, we have two working groups scheduled:
Land use April 2, 2:30-4:30 UW Pyle Center, Madison
Surface water April 4, 10:00-12:00 UW-Extension office, Jefferson
We have room for a couple more people in the Land Use session (The Surface Water session is fairly full). If you are interested and have not RSVPed, contact Michael directly at waterstar@rockrivercoalition.org or 608-661-4308.
We have cancelled the meeting set for April 8 on health and recreation issues. The Steering Committee will continue to discuss how these issues fit into the Water Star program.
We have scheduled one evening meeting open to all, to discuss the different Water Star components:
All topics April 17, 6:30-8:30 Dane Co. Land Conservation, Madison
Please feel free to invite any interested people or groups to this April 17 meeting.
You can find background and directions here: www.rockrivercoalition.org/waterstar/WorkingGroupInvitationLetter.pdf
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A vision for our future
Jim Congdon and other Water Star Steering Committee members have envisioned how the state could look after Water Star is successful.
Wisconsin is a water-rich state whose residents value, protect, restore and celebrate our lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater. Community leaders and residents understand that water quality and quantity is vital to the economic and physical health of their community. Community leaders recognize that their local waters are part of an ecosystem and work in partnership with other communities, upstream and downstream, to protect, restore and conserve the water resources that are such a vital part of their lives. Our citizens understand and share the responsibility of using practices in their daily lives that restore the water resources of their community, on public and private lands and community streets. They understand that high-quality water resources are a vital factor in determining quality of life in their community.
Wisconsin communities, both large and small, are vibrant centers of economic and social life where the quality of life is generously enhanced by lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, wildlife habitat and open green space which are incorporated into their community design. The shores are lined with trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers that shade the waters, hold soil in place and provide homes for wildlife. Business establishments face the river, which runs clear and clean as it winds its way through the community. People stroll, run and bike on pathways winding along the lakeshores and river corridors. Restaurant patrons dine by the water’s edge serenaded by the sounds of flowing water and bird songs. Business patrons parked their automobiles on porous pavement in parking lots with swales to slow, filter and infiltrate rainwater runoff. Many bicycled or walked to their destination from neighborhoods with curbless, clean-swept winding streets. Rain gardens minimize mowed lawns, infiltrate roof and driveway runoff, and are a haven for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. Naturalized stormwater retention ponds capture and filter runoff which is slowly released as clean water. Property values are enhanced by the scenic view and wildlife presence. Communities grow as residents return to the urban setting with its’ convenient services and high quality of life!
Is this vision only a dream or could it be a reality?
Wisconsin is a water-rich state whose residents value, protect, restore and celebrate our lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater. Community leaders and residents understand that water quality and quantity is vital to the economic and physical health of their community. Community leaders recognize that their local waters are part of an ecosystem and work in partnership with other communities, upstream and downstream, to protect, restore and conserve the water resources that are such a vital part of their lives. Our citizens understand and share the responsibility of using practices in their daily lives that restore the water resources of their community, on public and private lands and community streets. They understand that high-quality water resources are a vital factor in determining quality of life in their community.
Wisconsin communities, both large and small, are vibrant centers of economic and social life where the quality of life is generously enhanced by lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, wildlife habitat and open green space which are incorporated into their community design. The shores are lined with trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers that shade the waters, hold soil in place and provide homes for wildlife. Business establishments face the river, which runs clear and clean as it winds its way through the community. People stroll, run and bike on pathways winding along the lakeshores and river corridors. Restaurant patrons dine by the water’s edge serenaded by the sounds of flowing water and bird songs. Business patrons parked their automobiles on porous pavement in parking lots with swales to slow, filter and infiltrate rainwater runoff. Many bicycled or walked to their destination from neighborhoods with curbless, clean-swept winding streets. Rain gardens minimize mowed lawns, infiltrate roof and driveway runoff, and are a haven for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. Naturalized stormwater retention ponds capture and filter runoff which is slowly released as clean water. Property values are enhanced by the scenic view and wildlife presence. Communities grow as residents return to the urban setting with its’ convenient services and high quality of life!
Is this vision only a dream or could it be a reality?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Document library
We have created a Water Star Document Library, where you can find useful written documents about Water Star:
The files are in pdf format for easy printing or downloading.
http://www.rockrivercoalition.org/waterstar/docs.asp
- Announcements
- Background information
- Meeting agendas and minutes
- Draft versions of new documents
- Program reviews
The files are in pdf format for easy printing or downloading.
http://www.rockrivercoalition.org/waterstar/docs.asp
Friday, March 14, 2008
Program Review: Groundwater Guardian
Water Star intern Andy Obernesser has been looking at existing incentive-based environmental programs across the country to generate ideas for Water Star program design.
The first report is on Groundwater Guardian.
ABSTRACT
Groundwater Guardian is an incentive-based resource protection program developed by the Groundwater Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. The program has three major structural components: the Foundation, Groundwater Guardian Teams and Affiliates. The process of achieving Guardian recognition is focused on the development and implementation of “Result Oriented Activities” (for new Teams and communities seeking re-certification) and “Result Oriented Services” (for Affiliates). The benefits of designation include recognition at the Foundation’s annual celebration for Groundwater Guardian communities, assistance with a local designation celebration, and some direct and indirect grant incentives.
View the pdf version.
The first report is on Groundwater Guardian.
ABSTRACT
Groundwater Guardian is an incentive-based resource protection program developed by the Groundwater Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. The program has three major structural components: the Foundation, Groundwater Guardian Teams and Affiliates. The process of achieving Guardian recognition is focused on the development and implementation of “Result Oriented Activities” (for new Teams and communities seeking re-certification) and “Result Oriented Services” (for Affiliates). The benefits of designation include recognition at the Foundation’s annual celebration for Groundwater Guardian communities, assistance with a local designation celebration, and some direct and indirect grant incentives.
View the pdf version.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Working group meetings
We have scheduled 6 working group meetings in March and April, for each of the Water Star topic areas.
Topic: Time: Location:
These groups will help us develop lists of community activities to include in the Water Star program. It is critical for the Water Star program to be valuable to municipalities, so we will also discuss program design, expectations, incentives, and criteria for evaluating performance.
Contact us if you're interested in attending: 608-661-4308 or waterstar(at)rockrivercoalition.org.
Topic: Time: Location:
- Groundwater -- March 24, 2:30-4:30 -- UW Pyle Center, Madison
- Habitat & wildlife -- March 26, 2:00-4:00 -- Dane Co. Land Conservation, Madison
- Land use -- April 2, 2:30-4:30 -- UW Pyle Center, Madison
- Surface water -- April 4, 10:00-12:00 -- UW-Extension office, Jefferson
- Health & recreation -- April 8, 2:00-4:00 -- UW-Extension office, Jefferson
- All topics -- April 17, 6:30-8:30 -- Dane Co. Land Conservation, Madison.
These groups will help us develop lists of community activities to include in the Water Star program. It is critical for the Water Star program to be valuable to municipalities, so we will also discuss program design, expectations, incentives, and criteria for evaluating performance.
Contact us if you're interested in attending: 608-661-4308 or waterstar(at)rockrivercoalition.org.
Monday, March 3, 2008
March Steering Committee meeting
The Water Star Steering Committee will next meet on March 13, 9:30-11:30 A.M. at the office of MSA Professional Services.
Steering Committee meetings are open to the public. Contact us if you're interested in attending: 608-661-4308 or waterstar(at)rockrivercoalition.org.
Steering Committee meetings are open to the public. Contact us if you're interested in attending: 608-661-4308 or waterstar(at)rockrivercoalition.org.
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