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Community-based watershed management groups play an increasing role in protecting and restoring water quality. And members need to be more than water wise. Purdue Extension created the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy in 2005 to help professionals and volunteers in land and water management strengthen their leadership and technical skills, management strategies and networking capabilities.
“Indiana has a treasure of rivers and lake systems,” says Jane Frankenberger, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering and the academy’s project director. “These rivers and the people who participate in the academy are the lifeblood of our communities.”
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| Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy at one of its group workshops. |
The academy draws on the expertise and resources of numerous federal and state agencies and conservation organizations and is supported by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The hands-on program combines Web-based distance learning and face to-face class sessions. Components include stakeholder involvement, strategic planning, technology and tools, developing contingency plans, load reductions and drainage policy.
Watershed moments
“I grew up on the Elkhart River for my first 18 years. I may not live on the river anymore, but I do live in its watershed. The river is very personal for me. One of the biggest challenges for me was that I thought no one could care about the river as much as I do. What I learned (at the academy) is that there are hundreds of people who care as much as I do. They’re just in a different walk of life. We have to focus on what we have in common instead of our differences and agree on what our goals are. It’s really sharpened my people skills. It’s OK to not know all the answers. I now have a network of experts and peers to help solve problems.”
Nancy Brown
Program Manager
Elkhart County Soil & Water Conservation District
“Understanding the different types of people in watershed work is critical to success. We come from all walks of life but share common ground—or water, as the case may be. Because of the knowledge and skills that I acquired in the academy, I am able to help others learn about the watersheds that they affect on a daily basis. I now have a network of people who have varied views on the environment—people from all over the state who share the same desire to keep our waters clear. What a benefit—to be able to contact a farmer, someone in business or a passionate naturalist to obtain each one’s view on a sensitive topic before I address it with my stakeholders. Encouraging and exciting people, especially the up-and-coming generation, about what they can do to conserve our natural resources is not just part of my job, it’s my passion.”
Martha Miller
District Coordinator
Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District
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